Carlos James, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Leeward in the next general elections, has outlined some of his developmental plans for the constituency. He did so during a town hall meeting at Rose Hall, his first in a series of such meetings planned for the constituency.{{more}}

James said that his major emphases for North Leeward would include a focus on the education policy of the ULP, development of the agriculture sector and preparing the youths for the job market.

He told the gathering that he intends to work with young people, by providing training and educating them, using an the ICT programme, job readiness workshops and a few other programmes, such as the Youths on the Block initiative.

“This Youths on the Block Initiative is focusing more on vocational programmes to sort of enhance the expanded education programme that the Government has,” said the ULP candidate.

He also spoke about his plans for agriculture, noting that he would like to see the depots in the constituency being managed properly. James therefore appealed to farmers to form cooperatives to be involved in the management of the depots, “the fisheries complex in Chateaubelair and the agriculture depots in Belmont, there are plans to rehabilitate these, but it’s important that we have farmers on board to form cooperatives to manage these depots,” said James.

James touched extensively on the works that are ongoing with the rehabilitation of the feeder roads, the distribution of over 12,000 banana plants in January. “These things are part of the rehabilitation programme for agriculture and banana,” explained James. He further appealed to the farmers to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and their fellow farmers to realize a vibrant agriculture sector in the constituency.

The Troumaca native, who is a lawyer by profession, said he would also focus on empowering young people so that they could go forward, and he believes that job readiness training is vital in this regard. He said that eight young women from North Leeward were selected for an agro-processing programme, in which they were given EC$5,000 to begin the programme and thus contribute to the economy.

The gathering gave their undivided attention as James explained that the Government intends to complete the Cumberland playing field, develop the Golden Vale playing field, build a hard court in Rose Hall and expand the Rose Hall playing field, along with establishing a housing programme in Rose Hall.

The ULP candidate said Rose Hall is being recognized, and he commended Kenville Horne for the work he is doing in the community, declaring that more young persons should emulate Horne and get on board with the work he is doing.