PORTLAND, Jamaica— Isat Buchanan has highlighted education, tourism, entertainment and opportunities for youth as his main focus areas in Portland East after he was named People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker in the constituency.

The attorney was confirmed on Tuesday as the PNP representative for the area in the next general election.

He is expected to run against sitting Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament, Ann-marie Vaz.

Buchanan replaces Colin Bell as the PNP standard bearer for Portland East. Bell resigned as caretaker last month.

Buchanan, who visited the constituency recently, said his efforts are in response to a call from the people.

“It is a request from the people and I am responding to that request,” he said.

“I’ve been in the space and listening to the people and the questions raised which have been very positive so far, the energy has been high and overwhelming,” he added about his visit to the area.

“There is a problem with Blue Lagoon, Education, and economic growth opportunities for the youth so I am listening to them and trying to find ways to fix those solutions,” the attorney added, while hailing the government’s planned economic development for the Boundbrook Urban Centre as positive.

He also pointed to the development of the Errol Flynn Marina as a part of the tourism plans for the constituency.

“We have three things: reggae music which include dancehall, track and field and tourism. What that does is give economic opportunities for the people…. not just to be working for people [but] to become small business owners,” Buchanan said.

As for entertainment in the space, he said “What I can give you is a promise that that development will take place. The entertainment facilities and the entertainment industry so that the youth will not sit idle and have to be exported for job opportunities because Portland is a very beautiful parish.”

-Everard Owen