Prime Minister Andrew Holness has defended the legitimacy of the government’s $45 billion Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.

This amidst criticism from some stakeholders.

The SPARK Programme is intended to facilitate rehabilitation work on major roadways across the island.

Consultation was held across the country’s 63 constituencies to develop a master list of roadways from which the final list of targeted roads will be selected.

Works Minister Robert Morgan has promised that work will get underway on some of the roadways before Christmas.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Opposition Spokesman on Works, Mikael Phillips raised questions about the awarding of contracts under the programme.

He noted that some three weeks out from its expected start date, there has been no word regarding the contractor.

In response, the Prime Minister noted that the government ensured that all the requirements and processes for the programme are being done.

He chastised the Opposition for attempting to devalue the SPARK Programme.