People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for South St James, Nikeisha Burchell, has announced plans to improve the living conditions of South St James residents if elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency.

Burchell highlighted that despite being the largest constituency in terms of road network, South St James has suffered from chronic underinvestment.

“Because they say we are rural. They say we are bush people, so they don’t really invest in us. So for nearly ten years, the Jamaica Labour Party has not turned an eye to South St James. Our roads are neglected. We have no water in our pipes. Our schools are underfunded and overcrowded. Our community centres don’t exist anymore. Our playing fields are like mine and battle courses,” she said.

She also criticised the incumbent MP, Homer Davis, accusing him of misusing his authority both as a parliamentarian and during his time in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“There is another 119. A man who used to wear the JCF badge, who is running in this race with me… But that is not the good 119. That is the man that you tell me you used to call ‘one a day.’ And you called him one a day because of the oppression that he levelled on you, the people. He scraped up all your market goods and dashed them away; he burnt down fields and your crops, and he locked you up for the whole weekend so you couldn’t see your family.

“That same 119 is still harassing the people of South St. James; that same man has nothing that he has delivered. He promised that within his first 90 days, he would bring water to South St James, and you haven’t gotten water… I am five foot three, Nikeisha Burchell, and I am going to send [him] home. Homer, step aside; a woman wants to take over,” she continued.

Burchell also made it clear that her campaign is not built on financial power, but on the power of community and compassion.

“And that is why the plan I have for South St James is called South HEART.”

She explained that HEART is an acronym representing key areas of development intended to uplift the constituency.

H – Heritage Tourism

“We are the home of the great Samuel Sharpe. We are also the home of the Flagstaff, Trelawny Town, Maroons. We have enough culture that we can package it and sell it to the world and get the tourists into South St James… Culture can pay our bills, and that is why the People’s National Party has put together a $1 billion fund so that we can take a piece of this $3 trillion creative industry that is operating globally. So you can set up your stall. You can have your Airbnb.”

E – Education and Training

“For education, we know, I know the power of education. If it weren’t for education, I wouldn’t be here tonight. And so I’m the biggest advocate for education. I’m going to ensure that, working with Mark Golding and the education ministry, the E’s program will ensure that $10,000 each month is given to the needy children so they can get to school safely and back home to their parents,” she said while speaking at the PNP St James Parish Meeting on Sunday, July 27.

She added that the programme would also ensure daily hot, nutritious meals for students in need:

“…the E’s programme will ensure that children will get a hot, nutritious meal every single day that they show up at school if they need it.”

A – Agriculture and Economic Development

“The PNP is going to set up an agricultural development fund that will stimulate agriculture. We’re going to set up some agro-processing factories so we can turn our pineapples into jam, purees, and juice and send them to the world.”

Burchell also promised to shorten the time it takes to acquire titles for Crown lands:

“Under the People’s National Party, the 60 years to acquire crown land and get a land title will be reduced to 25 years.”

R – Roads and Infrastructure

She committed to addressing the constituency’s deteriorating road conditions.

“I tell you that when Mark comes to the office, we’re going to make sure that we rehabilitate the roads. Because when I talk to the people, they say ten years ago, the road did good enough. But now, not even a dog can walk on it because the road is too bad. Road is going to be a priority for me and housing.”

T – Thriving Communities

Burchell closed by stressing the need to rebuild community infrastructure.

“…the T in HEART is for thriving communities to develop community centres, playing fields, and [other amenities].”