ORACABESSA, St Mary — People’s National Party (PNP) standard bearer for St Mary Central, Omar Newell, has a long list of plans to transform the constituency if he retains it for the PNP in the upcoming general election.

Speaking during a PNP parish meeting Sunday, he promised cheering Comrades that casting a ballot for him was a vote to revitalise Port Maria.

“I have already initiated talks with a group of experts to look at what we need to do to ensure a more resilient town. We would push the Government to acquire key properties in the town and engage the Factories [Corporation] of Jamaica to take over the old brassiere factory in Frontier so that our people can get work,” Newell said.

He also said a PNP Administration would build a new bridge that connects Albion Mountain to Trinity Bridge.

“No community should be left at risk because a Government refused to act, a minister has refused to act. We have brought the prime minister there and he has refused to act,” Newell alleged.

He also pledged to transform the constituency into a logistics hub for light industries to supply markets across the country.

“We must not forget that agriculture was once the backbone of the St Mary economy. Our banana and coco farmers once earned the country millions of dollars in foreign exchange and since the collapse of these industries our farmers have not been adequately being supported to rebuild,” he claimed.

Newell promised his party will fix this by providing grants and loans for land preparation, storage, planting materials, irrigation and technology. This, he said, will help farmers compete globally. According to him, a pilot project has already started with farmers from Frontier Heights and these farmers “are doing well under Newell”.

He also spoke on the issue of housing, saying 600 acres owned by the National Housing Trust (NHT) have been identified for development.

Turning his attention to water, Newell noted that infrastructure has been an issue for the parish but if elected he will push for the commissioning of the incomplete Jordan Wells project so that residents can receive water on a regular basis.

He told the cheering crowd that he will establish a university in the parish by building on groundwork laid by sitting MP Dr Morais Guy.

— Ingrid Henry

People’s National Party standard-bearer for St Mary Central Omar Newell addressing supporters at a parish meeting in Oracabessa on Sunday night. (Photo: Ingrid Henry)