Sajoune Rose, Gleaner Writer

Left: JLP candidate: Dr. Charlton Collie Right: PNP candidate: Ronald Thwaites

They live in different areas of the constituency but the words they echo are the same. The problems are the same. Like many Jamaicans in different areas of the country, the people of Central Kingston face daunting problems they say require much intervention.

Unemployment, crime and violence and the lack of education are resoundingly the main concerns of the residents of Gold Street, Allman Town, Wildman Street, Rae Town and surrounding communities.

'The main ting'

"Work a the main ting. The yute dem want a better way of life. Some a dem have education an caan get nuh job because a weh dem live still," said Norman Rowe, a resident of Gold Street in Kingston.

'Dimple', a female resident of the community, says more employment would "cut off some a di street corner hanging."

Empowerment is what the youths want, says 'Manix', a resident of nearby Wildman Street.

"One athe main issues is empowerment and by that I mean education. People not empowered to take on their own responsibilities," he said.

Manix says that when people are educated, everything else falls into place.

"When you are empowered, all the other qualities weh you want will come your way," he added.

According to Manix, teenagers leaving school should have a driver's licence and bank book which would give them a "head start", but since this is not the case, the youths are not "coming out well prepared to take on the tasks."

Crime and violence, which continue to be an aching sore for the entire country, afflicts many of the communities in Central Kingston.

"Gun business man, violence a fi wi problem. Nuff time me affi run inna my shop because a gun firing," says Paul, a shopkeeper from Gold Street.

While lamenting the effects of crime on the community, he says the situation is hopeless and will not improve.

Another resident says changes need to take place in the community and the country in general, but remains adamant that none of the current political leaders can separately make a difference. He says the effort requires cooperative work.

"The country need fi shake up. It cyaan work so. Dem need fi come together cuz separately, dem nah help we," he points out.

While Allman Town residents boast of having enough water in their pipes, they say their roads need much repair.

Many young women remain in Allman Town during the day and residents would like some effort be made to help them in particular.

'Nutten a do'

Residents of Kingston Central are plagued by a lack of job opportunities, which they say has led to an increase in crime. -Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

"The youngster dem waan work, mostly the girl dem. Nuff a dem stop go school an no have nutten a do," said Tiffany Tyson, who is grateful for the fact that she and her spouse operate a little corner shop. Women in Rae Town express similar sentiments.

Another man, who has been living in the Allman Town community for more than 40 years, says the poor relationship with the police is affecting the peace.

He says they do not want to give permits for persons to have their parties and street dances. Theses dances, he says, unite the community.

While admitting that these communities have their good times, they say the next government, whether from the Jamaica Labour Party or the People's National Party, needs to urgently address their burning issues, especially that of unemployment.