(This is an edited version of the presentation made in Parliament by Dr Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for St Ann North Western, during the State of the Constituency Debate last week)

The mission for us in St Ann North Western is to find practical solutions for complex problems as we pave the path from poverty to prosperity. Our achievements span from:

(1) Infrastructure — several roads have been repaired including Hazelwood, Old Road, Club Street, Farm Town, Top Town among others.

(2) Water pipes laid in Mt Edgecombe and Belle-Air, 468 black tanks distributed. There is an urgent need for potable water for Bamboo and Queenhythe.

(3) Construction — Basic schools constructed in Free Hill and Runaway Bay, community centre constructed at Discovery Bay. Seventy-eight Food for the Poor two-bedrooms unit built.

(4) Electricity — Allocation to Rural Electricity Programme currently setting up in Lower Buxton. Alma to follow.

(5) Education — Our Second Chance programme spans weekend GSAT classes at three primary schools, in CSEC classes this year, 12 of 18 passed mathematics, 29 of 25 passed English and 10 of 10 passed Principles of Business, skills training in bartending, waitering, merchandising, customer service, tour guide, cosmetology, housekeeping, and food preparation. A total of 1,213 persons graduated over last the two years.

(6) Land — Funds have been allocated to survey Top Bay in Discovery Bay.

(7) Health Care — Free mobile clinics where medical samples are distributed; National Health Fund and Jamaica Drug For the Elderly (JADEP) forms signed up for free. Over 6,017 free back-to-school medicals done since 2012. Over 20,000 Panadols distributed on house visits during Chikungunya outbreak.

(8) Employment — Farming assistance including fertilizers, tools, seeds, chickens and feeds distributed to over 2280 residents. Over 280 persons received business start-up capital under economic enablement programme; 500 seasonal workers benefit from employment at Bahia Principe, and the plan is to do on-the-job certification through HEART Trust/NTA. Over 300 young persons employed after completing training programme as merchandisers, customer care representatives, waiters etc.

(9) Youth Activities — Sporting competitions in cricket, netball and football including the MP Strikers, a team on which the MP plays.

(10) Outreach — Care packages, furniture, medication, wheelchairs were distributed. Seeds also distributed for backyard farming.

National issues

In speaking to a friend who is a porter, he explained that he earns $15,000 each fortnight and he is unable to access the National Housing Trust (NHT) benefits. I believe that each member that contributes to NHT should stand to get a benefit. I am therefore proposing that a partnership be worked out with Food for the Poor to have them construct the two-bedroom units which are priced at roughly US$6,000 and have these individuals obtain a mortgage. As a contingency, the beneficiary could be given a second loan after 10 years to refurbish the unit.

The level of youth unemployment is of concern to all of us. I am therefore proposing a Skills Training Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP) where each constituency will identify 200 young persons and have them trained in skilled areas that are marketable in their area, this should be complemented by entrepreneurial training. On completion these students would stand to benefit from the mobile business clinic which I proposed two years ago. The final component would be a pool of funds from which loans are then given to these graduates to start a business. It is proposed that these loans are given at no more than three per cent interest rate. We have to grow our way to prosperity and investing in our youth and small and micro enterprises is the way to go.

We are the ones to make the change, this is our chance to make the decisions that our children will be proud of.