Review of Selected Projects

The major projects included in the FY 1997/98 Budget were indicative of Government's continuing policy objectives. The projects were structured as follows:

SOCIAL SECTOR

Education Projects

• improve the efficiency and effectiveness of primary education;
• improve the quality and equity of secondary education;
• strengthen the management and supervisory capabilities of the Ministry of Education.

Health Projects

• improve the ability of the Ministry to operate a more efficient health service delivery system;
• expand health planning and management capabilities;
• improve the quality and availability of secondary and tertiary health care services;
• support and encourage efforts to improve the well-being of women and children;
• control HIV/STD infection and reduce transmission.

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INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

Water and Sewerage Projects

• improve/provide adequate supply of water to rural communities;
• increase the supply and distribution of potable water to accommodate the anticipated expansion in North Coast tourism;
• improve and extend the collection, treatment and disposal capabilities of the sewage systems in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.

Roads and Bridges Projects

• rehabilitate road infrastructure to and from HUB population centres;
• strengthen the institutional capabilities of the Ministry of Works and Transport to plan, manage and maintain the road infrastructure;
• improve the efficiency of road sector investments;
• improve infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion in tourist centres;
• improve road safety;
• support Government efforts to boost economic growth and regional diversification;
• replace narrow, hazardous and inadequate bridges.

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COMMUNITY/SPORTS AND RECREATION SECTOR

Rural Township Development Projects

• improve the quality of public services in the most economically significant townships;
• rehabilitate and upgrade social infrastructure in health, education, transport and drainage in seven micro-regions.

Sports, Culture/Recreational Projects

• improve existing and develop new culture and sports facilities.

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AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Credit Projects

• provide small farmers with easy access to credit through the ACB/PC Banks;
• restructure, integrate and equip the ACB/PC Bank system to provide more efficient and timely credit to small farmers.

Coffee Development Projects

• increase coffee processing capacity through completion of the Tarentum factory and Albany pulpery;
• increase coffee production through credit facilities and extension support.

Forestry and Wildlife Projects

• increase the establishment of timber and tree crop;
• motivate and encourage farmers to increase tree crop production as part of an agro-forestry system.

Marketing and Produce Inspection Projects

• raise crop and livestock production.

Land Titling Projects

• prepare and issue certificates of titles to settlers on Government land and improve Government's capacity to prepare titles and administer land.

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TOURISM SECTOR

• deal with problems of inadequate road, water and sewage infrastructure in tourist areas.

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PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM

• improve public sector productivity, efficiency and management;
• improve administrative reform procedures and structures.

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PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

• establish an efficient and effective Public Sector Project Cycle Management System supported by the joint Project Data Bank (PDB) and Financial Management and Information System (FMIS).

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PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Project implementation is far from satisfactory. Many projects are faced with serious cost and time overruns. Reasons for unsatisfactory project performance include inadequate pre-investment planning; slow decision-making procedures; poor performance of planners, consultants (architects and engineers) and contractors; inadequate project management and supervision; inadequate and untimely financing; and delays in land acquisition.

Efforts to improve the performance of all parties in processing, identifying and analysing critical decision-making stages in the project cycle are underway. Problems will be identified and a system developed to minimise them. This will include developing improved methodologies for project preparation and implementation as well as ongoing training for project personnel in the use of these methodologies. Efforts will also focus on increasing the financial accountability of all professionals involved in the planning, detailing and implementation of projects.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has provided funding to continue developing an appropriate project cycle management system for the public sector. A long-term consultant, in association with short-term specialists, has been working since January 1997 on the project cycle management procedure and the establishment of the Project Data Bank.

In addition, a Project Management Unit for construction and infrastructure projects is being established. The new system should be in place in 1998.

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