PM promises to assist St Elizabeth farmer with purchase of donkey
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has promised to assist a St Elizabeth farmer with the purchase of a donkey to help with transportation needs.
The farmer made the appeal to the prime minister during his recent visit to the parish to hand over a house to a resident under the Government’s Housing Opportunity Production and Employment (HOPE) programme.
During the exchange between the female farmer and the prime minister, part of which was captured on video, it was noted that a donkey was a viable alternative to the exorbitant costs associated with other forms of transportation; primarily driven by the poor road conditions in the area.
In speaking with the woman, Holness enquired as to where donkeys were sold and the cost.
The woman shared that they were available in the community at a cost of approximately $100,000.
“There is nothing wrong with asking for a donkey. The donkey has been a constant feature of our agriculture from day one – that has been the beast of burden – and it is quite good at it. So nobody should look down on your request. Your request is taken seriously by me and your MP. I am going to make a contribution to it. And your MP [Member of Parliament], I am volunteering him to make a contribution. So you will get your donkey,” said Holness.
“You are going to get it. I am going to make sure you get it,” he added.
In a subsequent post about the matter online, Holness shared that he understood the vital role farmers play in the economy, noting that his administration was determined to provide the necessary support to enhance their livelihoods.
– Denieca Brown
