Employment, development the people's cry

Kingston Western

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Friday | August 3, 2007

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The people of West Kingston say unemployment and development of the constituency are the two main issues they want their Member of Parliament to address after the August 27 general election.

When The Gleaner toured sections of the constituency, which is under the leadership of Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, the zinc fences and persons loitering on the streets were the obvious signs that poverty and a lack of employment opportunities were prevalent.

"Most of the people 'round here want jobs because all dem doing is just walking up on down," said Reta Morgan, who has been residing in West Kingston for the past 10 years.

Small business owner Wesley Duncan expressed similar sentiments, saying the MP should provide meaningful employment for the residents.

Housing solutions

"Wi want work, too much youths leave school and can't find any work," said another resident who did not want to be named. Meanwhile, she also expressed the idea that more housing solutions were needed for the area "because too many people a live inna one room".

"Tear down dem old place here. The place is really shabby," Mr. Duncan suggested.

The word 'shabby' aptly described some scenes The Gleaner witnessed, garbage strewn all over the constituency being an example. That garbage was a major problem for some residents who were concerned it could eventually become a heath hazard.

"The rubbish needs to clean up off di street," said Ms. Morgan.

"It's annoying and sometimes it reach inna di road and dem come clean it up when dem feel like," she said.

"Mi nuh know if dem nah pay dem but it haffi sort out," she added, while pointing to a pile of garbage less than 50 yards from her gate.

Ruddy Wilson wants crime and violence in the constituency and the country to be reduced. "Crime and violence have to cut down, too much gun deh yah and too much people dead and the year nuh reach anywhere," said Mr. Wilson

Like most of the residents, he also wants to see more employment created for the youths.

"And the youth educated right so we can have a better country," he added.

West Kingston covers the areas of Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Trench Town, among other communities. For the August 27 general election, sitting Mr. Golding will be up against the People's National Party's Joseph 'Bunny' Witter.

Since 1962, the JLP has won the West Kingston seat in every election.