CONSTITUENCY REPORT
Jamaicans went to the polls in February 2016 to elect a new Government, and in the process, members of Parliament (MPs) to represent 63 constituencies across the nation. The Mps were asked by The Gleaner last month to share with the public some of the top projects they have initiated since the last election. Only a few have responded to the request to share with the people some of what they have done for them in the last 24 months. Today we continue our series to highlight their stories. We would like to hear from you. Email us: editors@gleanerjm.com, or send a WhatsApp message to 876-499-0169.
COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY – PUBLISHING ANNUAL REPORTS
When I was first elected as a member of parliament in December 2011, I made a commitment to produce an annual account of my work in the constituency. I have produced six annual reports, which are available on my website www.julianjrobinson.com and are also distributed in my constituency.
HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT – SUMMER CAMPS
For the past six years, I have hosted a series of annual summer camps for children in the constituency. Eight summer camps were held last year targeting 900 students across seven communities (Nannyville, Swallowfield, Jacques Road, McGregor, Franklyn Town, Woodford Park, Slipe Road).
The students preparing for GSAT used a special locally developed software application. Pre- and post-assessments were conducted to identify those students needing special intervention.
FLOW JA BIZ TOWN SUMMER CAMP
For the past three years, I have hosted a summer camp at JA Biz Town – a project of Junior Achievement Jamaica in collaboration with FLOW. JA Biz Town (located on Arnold Road in my constituency) provides students with hands-on training on the day-to-day aspects of transacting businesses, managing money, and manoeuvring social situations during their tenure at the training camp. Sixty students participated in the camp last year.
YUTE WORK READINESS PROGRAMME
I launched a Work Readiness project aimed at providing skills training, personal development, mentorship, and employment opportunities to youth between the ages of 16 and 29 years from underserved communities in my constituency. I approached the Youth Upliftment Through Employment (YUTE) programme to partner with me to deliver the project. We also partnered with the JN Foundation and the Joan Duncan Foundation. Over 300 persons have benefitted from training in financial planning, interview skills, dress and deportment, résumé writing, and communications skills.
PARTNERED WITH SUTHERLAND GLOBAL TO DELIVER MICROSOFT DIGITAL LITERACY COURSES
I partnered with Sutherland Global to deliver the Microsoft certified Digital Literacy Training Courses at two computer centres in the constituency. Eighty-four persons graduated and received certification for successfully completing the three-day course.
HOSTED FOOTBALL AND NETBALL COMPETITIONS FOR TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE CONSTITUENCY
Over 400 youngsters, including 24 football teams and 12 netball teams, participated in a football and netball competition at the Franklyn Town Sports Complex.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKS
A number of roads have been repaired over the last year: King Edward Avenue, Woolwich Road, Woolwich Crescent, Diana Drive, Patrick Avenue, Dames Road, Clieveden Avenue, Maeven Avenue, Kensington Crescent and Oxford Park Avenue, Merrion Road, Langston Road, Deanery Road, Deanery Avenue, Antrim Road, Lady Musgrave Road, Trafalgar Road, Hope Road, Fairway Avenue, Braemar Avenue, Easton Avenue, Windsor Avenue, Seymour Avenue, Old Hope Road, Herb McKinley Drive, and Mountain View Avenue.
CONCLUSION
These are some of the projects implemented in the constituency over the last year. As we approach the new financial year, I will be hosting my annual constituency consultations to get feedback and recommendations for new projects.