Jamaican MP proposes $20 Billion infrastructure development programme

By Latonya Linton

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Member of Parliament (MP) for St Mary Western, Robert Montague, is proposing the implementation of $20 billion infrastructure development programme that targets communities, housing schemes, farm roads, bridges, drains, and river training.

Making his contribution to the 2022/23 Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 14, Montague said the funds should be allocated from one of three sources annually, for five years.

“The sources of funding for my solution are – a portion of the unused recurrent balances from agencies, departments or ministries; reducing the ministry of finance and the public service’s spending on consultants and studies for two years; [or] by using Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) profits,” he said.

“If in the midst of the pandemic the BOJ could hand over $30 billion in profits in order to craft a supplementary budget, can you imagine the profit, now that we are recovering stronger?” Montague argued.

He said the funds must be allocated to the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Municipal Corporations.

“However, a portion of these funds must be reserved for constituencies, to deal with local priorities. An equal minimum amount should be allocated per constituency and additional funds given based on parish council divisions, and population size based on the voters list,” Montague added.