Vaz Says JDIP Is Well Conceived

KINGSTON — Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) is a well conceived plan, in terms of its objectives.

Speaking at Wednesday’s (September 21) Post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, Mr. Vaz said this has been affirmed through surveys, which have been conducted among citizens, indicating that the majority of Jamaicans think that JDIP is a good programme.

He pointed out, however, that the US$400 million earmarked under the loan agreement between the Governments of Jamaica and China, to undertake the initiative over a five year period, may not be sufficient to repair the entire road network and the government could be forced to find additional funding.

“(That) US$400m is not going to fix every road in Jamaica in the first year, second year, third year, (or) fourth year. The estimate is over US$2 billion and that doesn’t include roads that are not under the control of the NWA,” Mr. Vaz explained.

“Water (is) more than flour and the fact of the matter is that US$400 million is a drop in the bucket, in terms of what is required,” he added.

He pointed to bridges in his West Portland constituency which has been condemned, but for which there is no money to replace them.

Mr. Vaz suggested that, where concerns arise about how the JDIP is being executed, particularly from the Parliamentary Opposition, that they engage in a debate on the matter to determine how best to address the issues.

By Douglas Mcintosh, JIS Reporter