E.G. Hunter: I want a little more time for myself - Outgoing NWA boss proud of legacy he leaves behind

Outgoing head of the National Works Agency (NWA), E.G. Hunter has said he is leaving the agency because he wants some time for himself.

In a telephone interview with The Gleaner, Hunter, who has led the NWA for the past 14 years, said he has fought long and hard and is now in need of a break.

“I am good,” he told The Gleaner.

Hunter began working with the government in 1977 at the Ministry of Health after returning to the island from college in the United States. He spent three years with the ministry before moving to the National Water Commission (NWC). He later left the NWC to work with Caribbean Engineering before returning to the utility company.

From the NWC, Hunter was appointed head of the National Works Agency at a time when the organisation was described as a “rogue agency”.

“I am leaving the agency and I can say that there have never been any scandals associated with the agency during my tenure," he told The Gleaner.

He claimed that, during his stewardship, no one could point to anything untoward happening at the NWA.

“That is my legacy. To have competency and integrity at the end of the day,” he said.

Hunter said he has made his contribution to Jamaica.

“What gives me joy is that I can call any agency or company with which I have been associated and I am met with the same respect as if I still head that agency or company. That speaks to my ability to work with people and the competency that I displayed,” he said.

Hunter, who is also a commissioner on the Public Procurement Commission, said he still has two years remaining on that appointment. The commission meets once a week, and he intends to continue fulfilling his obligations.

He has no immediate plans for his next step, telling The Gleaner that he may offer advice where requested.

“I just want to chill and take some time for myself. I will still get up in the mornings and take my son to school but then I will come back home and relax,” he said.

In a letter to the Public Services Commission dated May 7, 2026, Hunter advised that he would serve out the term of his contract, which expires in September this year, and would not seek either an extension or a new contract.

His current contract began in September 2024 and runs for two years.

The NWA was complimented by the World Bank for its post-Melissa work.

Hunter received an engineering award two years ago and this year was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Technology (UTech).

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Robert Morgan, under whose portfolio the NWA falls, thanked Hunter for his years of service to the country.

“This is a moment to thank Mr Hunter for his long and distinguished contribution to the development and maintenance of Jamaica’s road infrastructure. As an accomplished engineer, Mr Hunter brought significant technical expertise to the public service, in addition to his leadership at the National Works Agency. Mr. Hunter would have overseen major national infrastructure initiatives including the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, SPARK, the dualisation of Hagley Park Road, Constant Spring Road, Mandela Highway and Marcus Garvey Drive, among others,” the minister said in a statement announcing Hunter’s departure from the NWA.

As he prepares to leave public service, Hunter reflects on no longer having to respond to the constant demands on his time.

“They may complain about potholes and their not being fixed on a timely basis but the reputation of the NWA remains intact without any blemish,” he told The Gleaner.

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