LaTonya Linton, Gleaner WriterSEVERAL PEOPLE'S National Party (PNP) delegates who voted in Portia Simpson Miller as the party's fourth president on February 25, are expecting a grand performance from their new leader.
She will be formally installed into the presidency today at the monthly meeting of the party's National Executive Council (NEC) at Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios.
The expectations of the the new president and incoming prime minister are, perhaps, greatest in the community of Majesty Gardens in Simpson Miller's South West St. Andrew constituency, where in some areas there are no proper toilet facilities; roads are bad, and there is need for proper housing facilities .
Wayne Bernard, vice-president of the Majesty Gardens Community-based Organisation and youth development officer of the community, said he would like to see the prime minister-designate work on a development plan for the community.
"We woulda like fi see all a de zinc fence dem tek down and toilets in the people dem homes and wi community (become) greener and more safer, with adequate care for the children and youths so dat they can be more positive in the society," Bernard said.
He, however, said that all the work should not be left to Mrs. Simpson Miller, as everyone has to come together and play his or her part to better their community and country.
FIGHTING CRIME TOGETHER
Violet Coleman agreed with Bernard that everyone should play his or her part in making the community better.
"We have crime and violence in the country and we in the community can do better and help to fight the crime with her," said Ms. Coleman.
Last year, Jamaica had the highest crime rate in the Caribbean with well over 1,600 persons murdered. So far this year, the police have reported a 23 per cent drop in the crime rate for the month of February compared with the same period last year.
Paul Williams, another resident of Majesty Gardens, would like to see Mrs. Simpson Miller pay closer attention to the development of communities in Jamaica. He believes that over the years various administrations have neglected the small communities across Jamaica.
The main plank of Simpson Miller's campaign platform for the presidency of the PNP was the transformation of the society beginning at the community level.
Another delegate, Blondie, from the community of Tavares Gardens, was very confident that Mrs. Simpson Miller would do an excellent job of governing the country.
" I am sure she is going to help South West St. Andrew on a whole. I feel that Portia Simpson will build a better leadership as she has the ability, just that sometimes pressure reach her," said Blondie.
She, however, issued a stern warning to the Prime Minister-designate.
"We are not expecting miracles. You don't plant a tree and expect it fi grow and bear fruit (overnight). You plant di tree, leave it to water and watch it grow. If she come and we no see nothing we going to come down hard on her," added Blondie.
Many of the delegates wished their Member of Parliament a successful time as the next prime minister of Jamaica. Mrs. Simpson Miller is to be sworn in on March 30 as the country's seventh prime minister.
