Opposition spokesperson on road and works Richard Azan has chastised government for not paying workers who were employed on most of the projects under the Christmas work programme.

Azan said the government failed to deliver on its promise of $22 m per constituency for the annual mitigation and clean-up programme.

In a statement, Azan said despite assurances from Prime Minister Andrew Holness last month many constituencies including those in Clarendon, Manchester, St. Mary, St. Ann and St. Andrew remain without the promised funds.

He said while some constituencies received their allocation the bulk of the clean-up work in most areas was completed in good faith by workers who have been left without payment especially in the holiday period.

Azan said neither the National Works Agency (NWA), which is the programme implementing entity, nor the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) provided an explanation on why the workers have not been paid.

He said affected workers deserve not only immediate payment but also an apology from the government for failing to honour its commitments.