Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) standard bearer for Manchester North Eastern, Ambassador Audrey Marks is rejecting as “mischief” suggestions by the People’s National Party (PNP) that water tanks she committed to party workers will be funded via state resources.

Marks said the suggestion is incorrect as the tanks will be provided via privately raised resources.

“I am clearly from a different orientation from my opponent who put out a media release today. I am not used to depending on state resources to implement social intervention and to respond to the pressing and urgent needs of people. I have a very public track record for over 30 years where I have been using my resources and raising funds to respond to challenges facing people,” Marks said.

“Part of my introduction to the constituency last week was a meeting with party workers and I was told of water storage issues they have been facing. I recognise that the government has limited resources, so I have committed to expanding the support system by assisting my party workers to alleviate this plight,” she continued. “I have a whole support system especially for scholarships for our young people which I am now expanding into other areas such as this water support program, especially as we enter the drought season. My support has always been with the ultimate goal being to improve lives and I am happy to bring that support to my workers in Manchester North Eastern.”

PNP caretaker for Manchester North Eastern, Valenton Wint, in a release earlier Tuesday, described Marks’ water tank promise as a “blatant example of political tribalism” which he said “represents a dangerous approach to distributing resources”.

READ: Wint condemns Marks’ ‘tribalistic’ water tank promise to JLP workers

However, Marks is calling on the PNP and its allies to resist the urge to misrepresent her commitment to serving the people of the constituency in good faith and with integrity, honesty and transparency. The Jamaica Labour Party standard bearer is reiterating that it is her intention to as best as possible respond positively to the challenges being faced by all constituents in Manchester North Eastern.

The former Jamaican ambassador to the United States noted that she is grateful for the outpouring of goodwill and support she has received from the people of Manchester North Eastern.

“Therefore, I will not be distracted from the mission of providing the best quality service I can to the people of Manchester North Eastern,” Marks said. “They deserve representation of the highest standard and that is what I will be providing. While I already have major development plans, I will continue my engagements across the constituency and further fine tune and activate plans to respond to the needs of the people of Manchester North Eastern.

“This is what I am about, being both proactive and responsive in dealing with issues my constituents will encounter,” she added.