Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the condition of Jamaica’s roads a national emergency, and has announced an additional 2 billion dollars for road patching under the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help, REACH Programme.

The REACH Programme addresses the need for critical road repairs following the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July.

Mr. Holness made the announcement during the signing of contracts for the Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network, SPARK Programme, this morning.

He said the allocation is necessary, as the island’s roadways continue to be impacted by heavy rainfall.

The latest allocation means the reach programme now has a 5 billion dollar budget.

Works are expected to commence immediately.