Photo by Noel Thompson
A Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporter rings her bell and raises a mug at a mass rally in Lacovia, St. Elizabeth, Friday night. Opposition Leader, who was the main speaker, committed the JLP to improving water supply and road infrastructure for interior communities.

Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding has made a commitment to the citizens of St. Elizabeth that improved road and water supply will be the priority of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), if it forms the next government.

Golding was giving the main address at a mass rally in Lacovia Square in the parish Friday night.

Noting that farmers in St. Elizabeth continued to experience tough times with water shortage for decades, Golding assured the crowd that the JLP would expand the irrigation system to better facilitate the farmers.

"Wherever the water exists, we will have to find it. The farmers are under too much pressure and we will have to do something for them. We will bring the productivity of our local farmers up to a level comparable to what is being imported," stated Golding.

Refrigeration facilities

Golding also said that a JLP administration would provide refrigeration facilities for the preservation of the farmers' perishable goods, as too often, due to the lack of market, farmers' produce was being dumped. He added that a JLP administration would also provide local and international marketing facilities for farmers through Jamaica Trade and Invest (formerly JAMPRO).

Hanging on his belief that the general election could be held between July and August, Golding said should the JLP win, come September, tuition fees in secondary schools would be abolished.