Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for St Philip North Michael Lashley vowed to his constituents that if elected, he would continue to develop the area and design special projects that would evenly distribute wealth, opportunities and privileges in society.
Speaking to a crowd of over 100 people at a DLP meeting in Blades Hill, St Philip, on Sunday night, Lashley said that he has dedicated his life to serving the residents of St Philip North and his record of work as a representative speaks for itself. He said that in the past ten years, the DLP has done more for the Philippines than the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
“When the people in Three Houses asked for assistance in terms of road repairs, we fixed the road,” he said.
“When you look at development in this constituency we have promoted farming at River Plantation. In fact, the number of farmers has increased during the tenure of Dr David Estwick more than any other Minister of Agriculture.
“We developed housing projects in St Philip North too, and I know they had a lot of talk about it but now lights are up there, all the houses have been painted and people are living in them.
“We acquired about 57 lots in Vineyard to be sold at $5 per square foot, they have been given town planning permission and people could purchase those lots for about $30 000.”
Lashley added that he also has plans to rejuvenate the fishing industry in the constituency and would be working on projects to bring life to Conset Bay and Skeete’s Bay.
He said the Skeete’s Bay market would get a face-lift under a public/private sector venture and more fishermen would be encouraged to berth their boats there, as they would be generating more income from doing business with a state-of-the-art restaurant to be built near the beach.
Lashley also said that just like the erection of the new St Mark’s Resource Centre, St Mark’s Primary School was destined for restoration. He said that St Mark’s was one of a number of schools to be rebuilt under a Caribbean Development Bank scheme.
At the same Blades Hill meeting DLP candidate for Christ Church East Central Ronald Jones shared his plans for agriculture and food security.
Jones said that when the DLP is re-elected into power this Thursday, its primary focus would be food security.
Jones, who was speaking in support of candidate for St Philip North Michael Lashley, said that a vote for the DLP was a vote for the development of agriculture.
Referring to the DLP’s manifesto, he promised that construction of a state-of-the-art agricultural training institute would commence in 2019.
He said the institute, which would be based in Hope, St Lucy, would also be tied in with the University of West Indies, Cave Hill campus’ agri-business park at Dukes Plantation in St Thomas. He said those two projects would generate over $15 million in economic activity.
“If you want agricultural development, vote for the Democratic Labour Party,” he said. “If you greenhouse agriculture, if you want hydroponics, support the DLP.” (SB)
