Rhoda Crawford presents ‘report card’ of her achievements in Central Manchester
Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Rhoda Crawford on Tuesday presented her two-year “report card” as she gave an update on her performance in the constituency two years after she was elected to the seat in September 2020.
In a departure from the typical presentation during the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives, Crawford literally displayed an oversized report card with a score of “excellent” from her constituents.
The card detailed her performance on everything from road repairs to her work in education, sports and her efforts to get a reliable potable water supply to the constituency.
“Never before have the people in Manchester Central witnessed or experienced such rapid growth and development in their communities in so short a time,” said Crawford.
“It is true; lives are being positively impacted in record time. To this end, my constituents have closely monitored my performance and after two years of solid representation they have handed me my report card for presentation to this honourable House and the people of Jamaica,” Crawford added before presenting the card.
The report card included ‘Areas of Focus’ such as road repairs, tuition grants, book grants, training opportunities, technological devices, farming grants and water tanks, for which Crawford said she received positive feedback from constituents.
Crawford said that in addition to the areas of focus captured in the report card, “there are other critical developmental activities or, as my constituents say, extra- curricular activities that have either been undertaken or are being undertaken through several government ministries and agencies”.
She said these include, but are not limited to:
– The Melrose to Williamsfield leg of the East-West South Coast Highway which is now more than 80 per cent completed. When finished, the travel time to Mandeville will be significantly cut;
– The $410 million Greater Mandeville Water Supply System. The system is currently in phase two of four phases. When completed, residents in Mandeville and neighbouring communities will be relieved of decades of severe water challenges;
– The $80 million Mandeville Traffic Management System to tackle traffic congestions in the town is being implemented. When completed, there will be new turning lanes, conversions of some roadways to full two-way operations, new signalised intersections (added traffic lights), new drainage systems and road rehabilitation;
– The 112 housing solutions – 80 serviced lots and 30 two bedroom units that have been developed and presented to constituents in Perth Estate;
– The five, three bedroom units under the Hope Programme that are currently under construction in New Hall, Lucky Street, Comfort, Old Melrose Road and Bottom Coffee Grove;
– Mandeville’s and (by extension) Manchester’s first Family Court; outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and is now in full operation;
– The construction of a new school plant for Albion Primary School in May Day;
– Construction of a new state-of-the art female ward at the Manchester Infirmary in the amount of $48 million;
– The refurbishing of the Broadleaf community health clinic.