Burchell vows PNP to unleash South St James’ fullest potential

WESTERN BUREAU:

Nekeisha Burchell, the People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for St James Southern, says there are ambitious plans in place to boost the constituency’s economic development by advocating for greater investments in tourism and agriculture.

Burchell, who spoke to The Gleaner last Wednesday while on a constituency tour with party president Mark Golding, spoke extensively about an improved constituency where residents’ interests are prioritised in development. She stated that there are areas of St James Southern that have the potential for rural tourism destinations.

However, she noted that more attention and investment are required to bring these ideas to fulfilment, and that Wednesday’s tour with Golding was motivated by the need to highlight these goals.

“We’re showing him what deeper rural constituencies look like, how the road conditions are, how the water situation is, hearing from the people first-hand what their issues are, but also showing him the potential of the place,” said Burchell. “We brought him to some of the budding businesses and those who have been able to survive over the years, [and] the tourism products like Croydon Estate in Catadupa. We wanted to show him that even though the trains have moved away from South [St James], there is still so much potential here and all we’re asking for is our fair share of the development budget. Once we get that, South St James will be the model for rural development in Jamaica.”

Burchell further remarked that the agricultural potential in the constituency are excellent. According to her, farmers in St James Southern would profit immensely from extra investments to expand their reach and capabilities. She stated that the constituency is a farming area, however, poor road conditions and water shortages pose a threat to development.

“South St James is the Mecca for agriculture in St James. If the government, any government, invests in the agricultural product in South St James, we can produce the best yams, pineapples, turmeric, ginger and orchard crops like mango, breadfruit, and ackee. Agriculture is really where we’re banking our buck, but our farmers need access to their farms, so farm roads need to be improved,” she said.

ELECTION

Homer Davis, a former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mayor of Montego Bay and long-serving councillor, currently represents the St James Southern seat in Parliament. Before Davis’ 2020 election victory, the PNP’s Derrick Kellier held the office for seven consecutive terms. In 2018, Kellier indicated that he would not be running in the upcoming general election, signalling the end of his political career.

Burchell believes that the “progress” made with the water scarcity during Kellier’s tenure has been destroyed.

“Being on the ground, what I have heard from the people themselves is that over the last nine or so years, water that they used to receive in their pipes has dried up. What it means is that over the last nine years, even though we were not in a perfect position, the progress we made then has really dried up. Water that is found in sources in South St James is pumped out of South St James in at least three places and pumped into St Elizabeth at two different points and into Westmoreland, so our people don’t have access to the water that is found naturally in our constituency,” she said.

While emphasising that her statements are “not campaign talk”, Burchell said getting water to every pipe and home in St James Southern is also a high concern. She stressed that, having grown up bringing water to her home in the constituency, she understands every resident’s problems and intends to alleviate their suffering.

“People in my community still carry water on their head in buckets. I am coming to try my very best to ensure that if I’m working on three things, water is one. If I’m working on two things, water is one. If I’m working on one thing, water will be that because it is a priority for me and the Mark Golden government to ensure South St James people can drink their own water from their pipes,” Burchell said.

For his part, Golding told The Gleaner that he, too, has recognised a great need for development in the constituency. He said that his party intends to focus on delivering the constituency’s water to residents.

“What I have noticed is there’s an abundance of water, but the distribution is a problem. We need to look at how we can distribute the water better. Some pumps will be required and in this day and age, I think technology and the piping. We just need to sort that out and take some resources. I’m not saying we can do it overnight, but it’s a commitment I want to give,” said Golding.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com