During a visit to social projects in central Kingston's inner-city area, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson faced the grievances of disgruntled residents expressing dissatisfaction with issues of poverty, neglect, and representation. Despite the residents' outpouring of complaints, Patterson assured the community of his government's commitment to expedite the poverty alleviation programme.

PUBLISHED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1995

’Inner-city anger'

No food, no work, they tell PM

PRIME Minister P.J. Patterson came face-to-face yesterday with angry, jobless citizens when he toured sections of the inner-city area of Central Kingston.

Patterson was there to visit social projects but what he saw was a group of dissatisfied residents and he got an earful of complaints. They complained of poverty, neglect and poor representation.

They vented their wrath on Member of Parliament Colonel Leslie Lloyd, saying he had done nothing for them and was rarely seen in the constituency.

Patterson told members of the People's National Party (PNP) stronghold that his Government would speed up its poverty alleviation programme.

Asked for a response to the boisterous outburst, Patterson told The Gleaner he was not bothered by the Southside reception. He said residents were ’very friendly indeed’.

About the complaints against Colonel Lloyd, the prime minister said, ’From time to time when people make representations about the needs in their community, and they don’t get a response at the speed and the level they would like, concerns will be made about their representation. This is something to which one is accustomed.’

Patterson said he had achieved the purpose of his visit, which was “to look at conditions for myself, and to give the people an opportunity to talk with me”.

The throng fired questions at their leader and members of his entourage. Many of them were asking about jobs.

One place they may look for employment is Metropolitan Parks and Markets (MPM), which is currently carrying out a cleaning programme in their area.  Patterson said, if needs be, additional persons from the area would be employed by MPM. (Officials from MPM formed part of the prime minister’s entourage).

Patterson promised improvement when the Integrated Community Programme, announced in his budget presentation, is introduced shortly.

The prime minister first visited the First Missionary Church on East Street where the church’s pastor, Rev Garnet Roper, gave him a tour of the basic school and briefed him on a range of community development programmes in which the church is involved.

Thereafter, the prime minister went to William Josclyn Park, next to the church. There, he was briefed about the collaborative efforts of First Missionary Church, the Kingston Restoration Company, and other entities, to create a basketball court and other amenities to improve the park.

The prime minister then made an unscheduled courtesy call at Novelty Trading Company at the corner of Laws and Hanover streets, where he exchanged pleasantries with the staff and management before leaving the constituency.

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