Councillor Dr Kurt Waul Calls for Transparency in the Implementation of the SPARK Programme in South West St Catherine
Kingston, Jamaica. February 20, 2025: Councillor Dr Kurt Waul, Councillor for the Old Harbour South Division and MP Caretaker for South West St Catherine, is raising concerns regarding the lack of transparency and consultation in the implementation of the SPARK Programme in the constituency.
According to statements from the Ministry of Works, all relevant stakeholders should be included in the consultation process to ensure transparency and accountability. However, Councillor Waul was excluded from discussions, and his division, Old Harbour South, was omitted from the list of roads posted on the SPARK website, despite longstanding road infrastructure challenges in the area.
“I have raised my concerns through various channels, including direct engagement with the Member of Parliament and the Minister of Works,” said Dr Waul. “I was informed that no parochial roads in my division would be addressed and that no further action could be taken.”
Councillor Waul also noted that road patching activities were recently observed on the main road leading to the Old Harbour Bay community, involving workers from outside the Old Harbour South community. Upon inquiry, he was informed that the works were being conducted under the SPARK Programme by the Member of Parliament.
“The MP should not be authorizing roadworks in my division without prior consultation, as required under the programme’s guidelines,” he stated. “While I note that MP Everald Warmington indicated after the Local Government Elections that none of ‘his money’ would be spent in my division, I would like to remind him that I am the elected Councillor for Old Harbour South. Public funds do not belong to any one individual—they are taxpayer dollars meant to serve all citizens fairly.”
Dr Waul further disclosed that he made multiple attempts to engage the MP on the matter, but these efforts were met with outright disregard. “Despite reaching out to him on three separate occasions, I was dismissed and even had my calls abruptly ended,” he said. “This level of disregard for transparency and good governance is unacceptable. Public resources must be allocated fairly, and the exclusion of Old Harbour South from these much-needed repairs reeks of political bias.”
Having exhausted all formal channels of engagement, Councillor Waul is now taking decisive action to ensure fairness in the execution of the SPARK Programme within South West St Catherine.
“I will not stand idly by while the residents of Old Harbour South are unfairly sidelined. Until proper consultations are held and transparency is restored, I am prepared to take all necessary steps to advocate for my division,” he asserted. “The people of South West St Catherine deserve equitable access to public resources, and I remain committed to ensuring accountability in the disbursement of taxpayer funds.”
