BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS part of his ongoing campaign efforts, the People’s Action Movement’s (PAM) candidate for Constituency Number Two, Roy Flemming, held a town hall meeting for residents of Central Basseterre on Tuesday (Feb. 3) at the party’s headquarters on Lockhard Street.
The meeting followed similar events in several other communities, including Cayon and St. Peter’s, as the nation’s leading opposition party gears up for the imminent general elections.
According to Flemming, the objective of these meetings is to engage constituents as to what they would like to see happen under a PAM administration. He noted that residents of Central Basseterre had outlined to him several of their most pressing concerns, and he in turn had highlighted some areas that worried him.
Most pressing among the issues put forward by persons was the party’s plans to bring youth back into the mainstream. Flemming revealed PAM’s intention to establish a youth empowerment programme that would facilitate job creation and scholarship opportunities.
“There is a stigma attached to youth and so many of them don’t deserve this label. We feel if youth are empowered and included, then perception of them will change and persons will realise some of them were acting out solely because they were hungry for opportunities,” Flemming said.
Flemming added that persons also voiced complaints about PAM’s strategy to reduce the high importation bill, to which he responded that his party would place more emphasis on agriculture. He noted that a PAM administration would make more land available to persons, especially youth, for agricultural production.
The candidate also put forward some of his concerns for the Central Basseterre area, which include the inconsistency of garbage collection for residents, unemployment, the crippling effects of the fuel surcharge and the irregularity of the electricity supply, and the inability of some constituents to receive successful land applications.
Upon taking office, Flemming stated he would construct a bridge along Westbourne Ghaut that would connect the areas of Greenlands and Dorset. Additionally, he said he would take action to improve the drain situated in Upper College Street, as persons from the Market Street community had complained about it.
Flemming disclosed that a “massive” public meeting would be held tonight (Feb. 5) on Upper Market Street, in which all of PAM’s candidates for the upcoming elections would address the audience. He also noted that persons interested in attending the party’s public events could consult The Democrat for a schedule of activities.
Flemming expressed absolute confidence in his ability to win the Central Basseterre seat in the next general elections, noting that his confidence levels were at “250 percent”.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the people of this constituency need change and new representation. It is evident they are totally dissatisfied with the Labour government’s neglect of them and it is clear to me that I will be elected to serve them and represent their interests,” he declared.
