WESTERN BUREAU: The National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling People’s National Party has confirmed the candidacy of four of its representatives who will be contesting seats in Region Six in the upcoming general election.

They are Hugh Solomon, mayor of Montego Bay; Donald Colomathi, councillor for the Spring Mount Division in St James;Gordon Brown, attorney and Lloyd Hill, mayor of Lucea.

At a well attended meeting at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay almost two weeks ago, Solomon was confirmed as the party’s candidate for the constituency of West Central St James. He will replace sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Arthur Nelson.

Meanwhile, Brown was confirmed as the party’s representative in the constituency of North West St James, which was left vacant by Francis Tulloch, while Colomathi was given the nod to represent East Central St. James because sitting MP, Violet Neilson will not be seeking re-election. The NEC also confirmed Hill as its representative in the constituency of East Hanover. Hill will replace sitting MP, Canute Brown.

Karl Blythe, the PNP’s vice-president, told reporters that the party now had its full slate of candidates in Region Six, which includes the parishes of St James, Hanover and Westmoreland. He added that the expectation was that the party would hold on to the nine seats it currently holds in the region in the upcoming general elections.

“The party is proud of the candidates, and we are going to make sure that the party retains all the nine seats in the region,” Blythe said.

The Housing and Water minister was speaking with reporters at a press briefing called to introduce the four new candidates in Region Six.

He added that party leader P J Patterson had instructed candidates representing the PNP in the up-coming general elections to take its campaign to the people on the party’s achievements.

“We will not resort to vicious and malicious attacks on the Opposition,” Blythe said.

He cited the North Coast Highway project, South Gully Improvement project, the new MoBay Metro bus service, various water projects, and the housing developments in Norwood and Rosemount Gardens as some of the party’s achievements in the Region. Blythe added that the PNP would also be taking their achievements in tourism and education to the people.