The role and functions of the National Works Agency, (NWA) are to be reviewed.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness indicated that the agency currently is not able to adequately tackle all issues related to the nation’s roads.

He said there is need for an additional unit or an expansion of the NWA.

The prime minister added that there must be a rapid response to deteriorating road conditions, which could be part of the NWA’s mandate.

Mr Holnes said decades ago, under the then Public Works Department, the government had the internal capacity to respond to road maintenance.

Over time, this changed and the process is being contracted out, as this was considered more cost effective, since the government would not bear labour and equipment costs.