CONSTITUENCY REPORT
As the member parliament for East Central St Andrew, my primary objective is the economic, social, and cultural development of the people I represent. To this end, I work closely with the State, civil society, and the constituency leadership to: I plan and implement projects, to expand economic opportunities, to transform the physical infrastructure and to improve the delivery of social services I enhance the learning environment in the educational and training institutions to better prepare students for productive employment and responsible citizenship I build safe, caring, and productive communities by strengthening the fabric of family life and inculcating the core values of life and a clean and orderly environment.
In keeping with these objectives, the range of programmes implemented and services delivered in the constituency include:
HUMAN- AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Educational Assistance: Over 700 constituents benefited in the form of book vouchers, uniform assistance, and fees and tuition assistance to attend secondary and tertiary institutions.
Welfare and Emergency programme: 523 elderly, disabled, indigent constituents received assistance with funeral and medical expenses and food or groceries.
Social Housing: 184 constituents were provided with housing assistance to effect repairs.
With the help of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, we were able to provide 12 replacement homes to fire victims.
I Annual health fair: For the past 15 years, with the significant support of the Nova Southeastern University, we have hosted an annual health and wellness fair for our constituents.
In 2017, it was held on June 4 and 5 in the halls of four churches in the constituency – The Foursquare Gospel, Trinity Moravian, Calvary, and Shiloh Apostolic churches.
Over 1,000 constituents were provided with medical tests (blood pressure, diabetes, etc), dental cleaning, optical services, and pharmaceuticals. Constituents were also able to apply for birth certificates and training at HEART Trust-NTA locations.
SPORTS AND CULTURE Choir Festival
On Sunday, November 19, 2017, I launched our first constituency Choir Festival, which was hosted by Bishop Herro Blair at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre. With the focus on bringing communities together, two choirs from each of the three divisions and a guest choir participated in the festival.
Annual Community Football, Netball, and Cricket League
The constituency has hosted an annual community football, netball, and cricket league over the past 10 years. Over 50 teams across the constituency participated. Teams and schools also received assistance to purchase equipment and sports gear. In fiscal 2017-18, twelve netball clubs, 12 cricket clubs, and 22 football clubs received gear and equipment.
Sports Infrastructure
Work is currently under way at the Maxfield Park Sports Complex. The aim is to transform the complex into a state-of-the-art sports and fitness centre consisting of international-standard football field and stands, a multipurpose court and stands, and an indoor sports and fitness centre fitted with a boxing ring and gym.
Upgrade work will start this year at the Dunrobin Sports Complex, which is utilised by several communities and groups. The scope of works includes rehabilitation of the football field, installation of a POP-UP sprinkler system, repairs to the existing fencing around the football field, and securing tanks and pumps to be used for the maintenance and irrigation of the football field.
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Roads
Over the last two years, we worked in collaboration with JEEP/HOPE, NWA, and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) to rehabilitate roads across the constituency.
Zinc Fence Removal
With support from the private sector and the JSIF, we have embarked on a project to replace zinc fences with block walls. Some of the locations that benefited from the project to date are Clifton Road, Ricketts Crescent, Waltham Avenue, Waltham Crescent, Languard Avenue, McDonald Lane, Chisholm Avenue, and 77 Waltham Park Road.
PLANNED PROJECTS
The projects planned for implementation in the present term of office include:
JSIF Integrated Community Development Project
The Maxfield Park community will benefit from this project. The infrastructure works will include the upgrading of roads, improvement to drainage, and improvement to water supply.
The locations that will benefit include sections of Ricketts Avenue, Ricketts Crescent, Waltham Avenue, Waltham Crescent, McDonalds Lane, Clifton Road, Victory Avenue, Lanes (63, 65, etc) off Chisholm Avenue, Delacree Road, Delamere Avenue, Totley Avenue, and Languard Avenue.
Park Community/ Frog City Housing Project
The Cabinet has recently approved the Park Community Development Project. This project entails the construction of 188 housing units, an urban plaza, 111 parking spaces, and two recreational and green spaces.
Omara Community Training and Business Centre
The aim of this project is to establish a resource, training, and business development centre to improve access by my constituents to certification in vocational and technical skills and entrepreneurship development. It will include an internet café and a homework centre.