Mullings

Western Bureau:

When the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) all but swept St. James in the 2002 general election, attorney-at-law Clive Mullings emerged as one of the party's three new members of parliament, beating former Montego Bay mayor Hugh Solomon 7,047 to 5,888 votes for the St. James West Central seat.

Despite the difficulty of trying to make real progress from the opposition benches, Mullings believes he has done enough to retain the support of the voters in St. James WC in the upcoming election.

"I think I have done well," says Mullings, the opposition's spokesman on energy. "I am particularly pleased that I was able to bring water to the people of St. John's and Cassava Walk for the first time, get a post office and internet café for Mt. Salem, and build some 10 houses in Salt Spring.

Mullings believes a JLP victory in the upcoming general election would create the scope for him to make an even bigger impact in the areas of infra-structural development and road repairs.

"Getting allocations for road repairs has been very difficult as we are constantly beingtold that while there is a facility with the European Union, Jamaica has not put up its portion so we can't get the required drawdown," explains Mullings. "However, all that will change when the JLP forms the next government."

Under a JLP administration, Mullings also plans to make an indelible mark on youth empower-ment, community development, the provision of water and the provision of greater educational opportunities for the youths.

"I have found a company in Japan that produces solar water pumps, so we will be able to bring water to more com-munities," Mullings reports. "In terms of education, I am trying to develop a partnership between the Montego Bay Community Col-lege and a Japanese university, especially in the area of specialist training in energy."

With what appears to be good youth support and encourage-ment from some of the older folks, Mullings is confident he can blunt the challenge of People's National Party's Francis Tulloch, who many see as a formidable contender.

"My constituents know that I am one to stand up and fight for them, I am not one to quit when the going is not good," states Mullings, obviously drawing reference to Tulloch's history of resignations. "They know I will be here for them through thick and thin."

- A. F.