Waterford councillor demands audit over alleged misuse of road repair funds
Published:Thursday | March 6, 2025 | 12:05 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Waterford Councillor Fenley Douglas is calling for a forensic audit into how funds allocated under the REACH programme were spent on repairs to Caymanas Drive in St Catherine.
Douglas has criticised the quality of work carried out by National Works Agency (NWA)-appointed contractors, arguing that it was inadequate and fell short of expectations.
“While we attended the consultation meeting and selected this road for patching, we did not expect that only an eighth of the road would be patched – and not properly,” Douglas said.
The councillor claims Waterford residents feel deceived by the process, accusing the NWA of failing to ensure proper supervision of the contractors and responsible spending of taxpayer funds.
“The people of Waterford have been hoodwinked, and I am extremely saddened. I am calling for an audit,” Douglas declared.
Douglas also took issue with the method used in selecting which potholes were repaired.
“What they did here is a little hopscotch – patching some potholes and ignoring others. This is foolishness because the entire corridor needs repairs,” he added.
He further criticised Member of Parliament (MP) for St Catherine South East, Robert Miller, for what he described as poor management of public funds.
“If this is how MP Robert Miller and the NWA plan to spend taxpayers’ money, Waterford will not stand for it,” Douglas asserted.
Douglas said he had contacted Miller on three occasions to confirm whether the repairs were complete and was told that they were.
However, Miller dismissed Douglas’ concerns, insisting that the work was of a high standard.
“The councillor can call for anything. I am in the constituency working, and any work I do is above par. He can call for any audit he so wishes,” Miller stated.
Miller countered by accusing Douglas and Mayor Leon Thomas of previously delaying repairs to Caymanas Drive.
“In fact, I started fixing it, and it was hijacked by him and Mayor Thomas, who said they would handle it. Any audit should be on what they did,” Miller argued.
Miller explained that $2 million was allocated for the repairs under the $10 million REACH programme, with funds divided among five projects.
“I completed the surface of Caymanas Drive,” Miller said. “The reality is that only a certain amount of work could be done under the contract, and the contractor, along with the NWA, advised me that the allocated work was completed.”
He added that the contractor prioritised the worst sections, particularly near the school, acknowledging that while some areas still need resurfacing, the work was done in line with the contract.
“The contractor can’t go beyond that. He advised me that he focused on the school area because it was in the worst condition,” Miller concluded.