One Road Authority Will Strengthen Accountability and Coordination in Road Management – Minister Morgan

Kingston, Jamaica: – Minister with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, MP, says ongoing concerns about the proposed One Road Authority must be addressed through facts, consultation, and a clear understanding of the current road-management structure.

In responding to concerns regarding the impact of the One Road Authority on Municipal Corporations, the Minister says the Authority has not yet been established and that consultations remain ongoing with key stakeholders, including representatives of local government.

“The One Road Authority is still in development. It has not yet been established. That is why consultations are being held. These engagements provide the opportunity for questions to be asked and concerns to be raised. The consultations will help shape the final framework,” Minister Morgan said.

He added that the Government recognises the importance of local government in the management of Jamaica’s road network, and discussions on road responsibility must also acknowledge the dedicated funding already provided to municipal corporations.

“Municipal corporations are not outside the road-management system. They receive dedicated resources through the Parochial Revenue Fund for local road maintenance and related works. Therefore, when we discuss the state of municipal roads, we must also discuss maintenance planning, prioritisation, technical capacity, and how existing resources are being programmed,” the Minister said.

Minister Morgan noted that the National Works Agency has continued to undertake significant road-repair interventions across Kingston and St Andrew, including on corridors where citizens often experience confusion over which entity has direct responsibility.

“This is one of the reasons the One Road Authority is being pursued. The current system has too much fragmentation. Citizens are often unsure whether a road falls under the NWA, a municipal corporation, or another entity. That lack of clarity weakens accountability and delays effective response,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that the One Road Authority is not intended to undermine municipal corporations or remove the value of local knowledge. Rather, it is intended to create a stronger national framework for road classification, standards, asset management, data, maintenance planning, and performance monitoring.

“The objective is not to diminish local government. The objective is to ensure that every road authority, whether national or local, operates within a clearer, better-coordinated, and more accountable system. Jamaica cannot continue with a structure where responsibility is blurred and the public is left frustrated,” Minister Morgan said.

He added that questions about funding, maintenance cycles, and technical support are legitimate and will continue to form part of the consultation process. However, he cautioned that public commentary should not suggest that municipal corporations have no existing role or resources.

“The Jamaican people deserve a mature discussion. Resources matter, but systems matter as well. Funding must be matched by clear standards, accurate data, proper prioritisation, and accountability for results,” Minister Morgan said.

The Minister said the Government will continue to engage mayors, councillors, municipal corporations, the National Works Agency, and other stakeholders as the proposed Authority is developed.

“The One Road Authority is about moving from confusion to coordination, from fragmented responsibility to clearer accountability, and from short-term reaction to long-term road asset management. That is the reform Jamaica needs,” Minister Morgan said.