In the run-up to the general elections expected by year-end, the Jamaica Observer’s Western Bureau continues its focus on the candidates in this part of the island.

Who are the candidates and why should you vote for them?

This week we feature the Jamaica Labour Party’s candidate for South West St Elizabeth, Derrick Sangster.

Derrick Sangster, who was born in Mountainside, St Elizabeth on January 1, 1946, is married with one child.

A farmer for over 30 years, Sangster attended the Mountainside Primary School before going to Munro College in the parish.

He entered representational politics in 1976 but lost the South West St Elizabeth seat to Mel Brown of the People’s National Party (PNP). However, in the 1980 elections, when his party scored a landslide victory at the polls, Sangster won the seat for his party.

Shortly afterwards, he was appointed parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, a position he held until 1989.

In the 1989 general elections, Sangster lost the seat to Donald Buchanan of the PNP.

When Sangster was asked, “Why should Jamaicans vote for you?” he pointed to his accomplishments when he was in office.

“During my tenure as member of Parliament I was responsible for major projects in the constituency such as:

* a new police station for Black River;

* construction of the Pondside Primary School;

* a new post office at Mountainside;

* development of the fishing industry;

* improvements in water supply in many communities; and

* repairs to several miles of roadway.

“These are just some of my achievements in the constituency during my tenure as member of Parliament and on this basis the constituents know that I am a very hard- working and dedicated person,” Sangster said.

He added: “I do not believe that the constituency has been effectively served over the past 13 years under the PNP.

“There is no long-term planning and infrastructural development in the constituency and a number of roads and public institutions have fallen into disrepair.”

He said if he is elected, the ailing agricultural sector would be given “new energies” and a total revitalisation of the sector undertaken in order to regain the confidence of the hundreds of disenchanted farmers in the constituency.

“More attention would also be given to the secondary road system so that farmers will have better access to their farms,” he said.

“If elected, I will also focus on employment for the youths, improvements in the educational system and major improvements in the infrastructural development of the constituency. I believe the JLP, under the leadership of Edward Seaga is indeed the best party to govern the country at this time,” Sangster said.