Left: JLP candidate RuddySpencer. Right: The PNP's Scean Barnswell.

Whoever takes South East Clarendon will have his work cut out in tackling the litany of woes common to most constituencies islandwide - bad roads, unemployment and skills training.

Most residents believe the constituency's roads have been neglected. They named main roads such as those in Portland Cottage, Rocky Point and Palmers Cross as the worst.

While the main roads have not been repaired, especially since the passage of hurricanes Emily, Wilma, Dennis and Ivan, many residents pointed out that parochial roads haven't got any attention.

There's a lot to think about for incumbent Jamaica Labourite Party candidate Rudyard 'Ruddy' Spencer and Scean Barnswell of the People's National Party (PNP).

Andrew Brown, a taxi operator, believes the National Works Agency should have repaired the main roads since 2004.

Suffering

"I do not know what the people of this constituency have done why we have been treated so badly," he said. "The good thing is that it (roads) is not only one set of people use them. It is used by supporters for the two major political parties, as well as some who do not support them, but the bottom line is that we are all suffering," Brown added.

He explained that poor roads hamper small farmers as they are unable access hilly sections to plant crops and bring them to the markets. Brown also explained that poor drainage exacerbates road conditions.

Skills training is another hot top in the constituency as calls have come for training centres for the youth.

Judith Vernon, a resident, said the training of persons in key skill areas to fill vacancies at the Jamalco plant is paramount.

"We need persons to receive training in industrial skills, such as those who are getting training at Breadnut Valley in Central Clarendon," she explained.

Job creation

Constituents from Moores, Rosewell, Palmers Cross, Sandy Bay, Free Town, Rocky Settlement, Lionel Town, Mitchell Town, Portland Cottage, Longwood, Salt River and Hayes are pleading that the two candidates focus on job creation.

Winston Brown, who hails from Lionel Town, wants the many shacks that are along several sidewalks in the constituency to be removed in order to drive development. And in his mind, the Monymusk sugar factory must be part of that thrust.

"We need to put things in place so we can once again start producing refined sugar at Monymusk, and stop importing. Many persons who live in the area plant sugar cane, and they depend on Monymusk for a living," said Brown.

He, like other constituents, also said he wants the next Member of Parliament to engage with Jamalco in eliminating pollution in Hayes.

According to Brown, residents from time to time get ill from dust and fumes emanating from the bauxite company. He believes a health fund should be set up to assist persons who are having medical problems caused by Jamalco.

"Sometimes, we have children who are forced to stay home because they are sick with asthma and other illnesses because of the dust and fumes from Jamalco, and their parents cannot afford to find money to take them to the doctor," Brown argued.

- G.H.

The only other time the PNP has ever won the seat was in 1997. It was then taken back by the JLP when Rudyard Spencer won in the 2002 General Election.

A section of the Portland Cottage main road in Clarendon which was in need of repairs in December 2006. - File

'Sometimes, we have children who are forced to stay home because they are sick with asthma and other illness because of the dust and fumes from Jamalco, and their parents cannot afford to find money to take them to the doctor.'

South Eastern Clarendon comprises four parish council divisions. They are Palmers Cross, Minera Hayes and Rocky Point.

Palmers Cross has 23 polling divisions, Minera 16, Hayes 23, and Rocky Point 30.

Residents depend mostly on work generated by the Jamalco bauxite plant and the Monymusk sugar factory to get employment.

Some constituents depend on fishing on the south coast at Rocky Point, while others are engaged in subsistence farming.

Since 1944 the JLP has had the strongest hold on the constituency, with the late Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer ruling it from 1967 to March 1993 when the PNP Peter Bunting defeated him by 37 votes.