CLARENDON, Jamaica — Having led the People’s National Party (PNP) to a strong showing in the February local government elections, Mark Golding is expecting that run to continue when the votes are counted in Morant Bay, St Thomas and Aenon Town, Clarendon this evening.

Golding told Observer Online that he expects the work the party has done in the two municipal divisions will pay off.

“We will see what happens, but I am confident, and we put in the work. I’ve been here [Aenon Town] a lot in the past two weeks and in St Thomas on the days that I am not here. So, we’ve put in the work and we’ll see if we get the reward, but I’m confident,” said Golding as he defended the PNP’s decision to contest the municipal by-elections while ignoring the two parliamentary by-elections which are also taking place today.

“We took a decision not to do any constituency election in an election year… The next local government elections are not until 2028, so we want to endure that the people have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice,” added Golding.

Although unsure of when Prime Minister Andrew Holness will call the general election, constitutionally due in September next year, Golding said the PNP is ready and waiting.

Although unsure of whether the Government will call the general election before it is constitutionally due in September next year, Golding said the PNP is ready and waiting.

Golding shares a hug with a JLP supporter in Aenon Town Division. (Photo: Oneil Madden)

“Every day I hear a different theory on that issue. I am not focused on them. I am focused on what we need to do, and we are doing what we need to do, so that whenever they call it, it will be ours,” declared Golding.

Asked about his observations touring the Aenon Town Division, Golding said the road network is a major concern and requires urgent attention.

“The main issue I have noticed is the quality of the roads. It is terrible. The road network is very very bad and I think that is something which the next PNP government will have to focus on in terms of interior roads and scheme roads — the roads where people drive every day in their daily life.

“Jamaica has spent hundreds of billions of US dollars on highways in the last four decades, and it’s good — it has made the economy more efficient, it has made movement across the island easier, but it has been to some extent at the expense of the interior road network, which hasn’t had the attention it needs and I think time come for that. The people are looking forward to that,” said Golding.

— Oneil Madden