North Leeward a developing constituency

Editor: North Leeward is a constituency that is developing. We have heard and are given the impression that North Leeward (NL) lacks development. We can argue that the development has not been at a pace we would all like and that it is often said that it is a neglected constituency.

We agree that more needs to be done, but it cannot be denied that we have come a long way and it is a developing constituency. One of the biggest developments is human development. In every village in NL there is a medical doctor or someone presently studying to become a doctor. In every village in NL are teachers, nurses, police officers and many other classes of workers. We have lawyers and engineers. We now have our third Ambassador coming out of NL, in the person of Mr. Roland Matthews. So every class of worker has come out of NL.

We have some of the brilliant minds coming out of NL. We even have the CWI President being a NL man. So, it is not true to say that NL is lagging behind in terms of production, development and progression. The bus fare from any part of NL to town of beyond Barrouallie is $10 one way, so the cost for fare is a total of $20 per day, yet, in spite of the many taxi’s operating in NL, we still have transportation problems. There is not enough transport to take persons to their destination. This shows that the economic situation has improved. It also shows that many persons travel regularly to Kingstown to do business and to work.

Many persons have built homes and own their own transportation. Besides, a large amount of persons employed as a teacher have obtain at least a first degree. Every school in North Leeward has a Principal or headteacher that is from NL and over 90% of the staff are from NL. The same can be said of nurses, where the clinics and the hospital have nurses from NL-almost 100% are from NL.

We have 5 Clinics, one hospital and all these are staffed by nurses and medical personnel from NL. We are now able to do full banking transactions in North Leeward and have a Western Union and Credit Union, whilst we can also pay utility bills.

Various businesses, including hardware and tyre repair shop are in NL. A gas station would add some much needed development to the constituency. More can be listed, but if we honestly analysed NL, we ought to agree that we have come a long way and we are a developing constituency. Of course, we know there are so many things that needed to be done, but that is for another time.

Kennard King