FIVE newly elected Members of Parliament (MP) from the Opposition People’s National Party say they are eager to begin contributing to shaping policies that reflect the priorities of their constituencies.

The new MPs — Omar Newell, St Mary Central; Christopher Brown, St Mary South Eastern; Dr Alfred Dawes, St Catherine South Eastern; Nekeisha Burchell, St James Southern; and Isat Buchanan, Portland Eastern — shared their enthusiasm with the Jamaica Observer before engaging in the traditional walk up Duke Street to Gordon House during last Thursday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament at the start of the current legislative year.

Newell said the start of the new parliamentary term comes with a packed slate of projects that he expects will reshape his constituency in the fiscal year.

“We’re going to install lights at the Stockholm Park in Highgate. We’re hoping to fence it around and create two new mini stadiums in Central St Mary,” Newell said.

“I’m waiting on procurement to be completed for a new road construction in Robin’s Bay, where we believe has significant potential for tourism. I’m looking to create some employment in that space,” added Newell.

He also told the Observer there is a proposed township between Whitehall and Ballards Valley that is now awaiting approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and which is expected to feature 500 housing units, space for light manufacturing and logistics operations, and the potential establishment of a tertiary institution in the parish.

The first-time MP said the suite of projects reflects his commitment to transforming St Mary Central and creating long-term employment for residents.

“It’s not just a token… it’s going to change a lot of lives within the constituency, and that is why I ran for office,” he said.

His fellow comrade, Brown, who was also in high spirits, weighed in on what he is looking forward to most, telling the Observer that he is intent on ensuring that the budget is tabled in the ways that best benefit his constituency.

“A lot of the work that we have been doing was impacted by Hurricane Melissa and would have had some residual impact coming from the previous budget. So, as new Members of Parliament this is our first opportunity going into this new parliamentary year to have a full slate in terms of the budget and to be able to work with our constituents to deliver the better for South Eastern St Mary,” he said.

Dr Dawes, too, was beaming on Thursday as he told the Observer that this was a full circle moment for him, noting that he aspired to become a politician from a young age.

“I’m excited. This is something that I used to watch on television as a child so to actually be walking with the partly leader on the walk up to Gordon House, it’s almost surreal. It’s quite humbling; and I must say thank you to the people of South Eastern St Catherine for making this possible,” said Dawes.

He added that his plans for the new parliamentary year will prioritise his constituents and ensure their needs are consistently met.

“I’m looking forward to an interesting year. We’re looking at the first post-Hurricane Melissa budget and, of course, we have to be cognisant of balancing the need to fund the recovery with the understanding that people are rebuilding. So that’s a delicate balance that has to be debated,” said Dawes.

In Burchell’s case, she shared that she plans to be vocal in all matters to ensure the betterment of all her constituents.

“I’m just thrilled that the people of South St James have asked me to represent them in this honourable House, and it indeed is a pleasure for me, but I am not at all lost on the significance of it. I am just one person sitting in the House but I am representing the thousands of residents who are expecting me to represent them, and I won’t sit down quietly and allow for issues to be sidelined. I think so far I have been showing them that I have the fortitude and the guts to do it and I’m going to fight for them,” she said.

Meanwhile Buchanan, too, was relishing his first participation in the ceremony.

“It is my first experience so just the ceremony in and of itself, you know, the part of the political pageantry, I just want to share in that experience. [I’m] looking forward to what I believe will be a very interesting year and, where legislation is concerned, ensuring that what is being drafted and what is being passed is one that protects the people rather than harm them,” he said.

“So I’ll be focusing on that and, naturally, with the CDF [Constituency Development Fund] — my first full CDF — there will be focus on education and being able to participate or contribute to what I call bringing the heat for Portland Eastern, so I’m looking forward to that,” said Buchanan.

St Mary Central MP Omar Newell says the start of the new parliamentary term comes with a packed slate of projects that he expects will reshape his constituency.

Christopher Brown, MP for St Mary South Eastern, says he is intent on ensuring that the budget is tabled in the ways that best benefit his constituency.

New parliamentarians Nekeisha Burchell, St James Southern, and Isat Buchanan, Portland Eastern, outside Gordon House last Thursday before the start of the ceremonial opening of Parliament. Burchell says she plans to be vocal in all matters to ensure the betterment of her constituents, while Buchanan says he intends to ensure that legislation protects the people rather than harms them. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)