THE EDITOR, Sir:
RECENTLY, THE Gleaner published several articles on road construction in Jamaica.
Most notable is the Highway 2000 project. Additionally, there are reports of poor workmanship on recently repaired roads.
You may or may not recall a bridge, a section of Interstate 40 (I40) in Oklahoma, was damaged by a barge earlier this year. This bridge has been repaired and I believe back in service.
Today I read an article in a welding and fabrication journal where one of the contractors on the Oklahoma bridge repair indicated that the bid stipulated that the repairs had to be done in 57 days.
The contractor further stated that there was a US$6,000 per day fine for missing the deadline or an incentive of US$6,000 per day for beating the deadline. Guess the outcome? The contractor beat the deadline I believe by four days and received his reward.
Can the Jamaican Government, contractors learn something from this? Can the government copy some of these programmes and give taxpayers value for their taxes?
I am etc.,
L. Williams
wedwillchat@hotmail.com
Trona, California
Via Go-Jamaica
