PNP questions West Portland tours

As the West Portland by-election draws closer the PNP is questioning another Government tour to the constituency.



Just over a week ago, the Transport Minister Mike Henry was in the constituency touring road projects.



This Wednesday and Thursday, the Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton moves his Farm Tour Series to Portland.



The tour will include a visit to recently repaired roads and a young farmers’ forum.



But the activities will be concentrated in West Portland districts like Mount Pleasant, Rock Hall, Industry, Shrewsbury Fruitful Vale and Buff Bay.



Dr Tufton will also be in Bangor Ridge for a coffee farmers’ training exercise.



The Opposition says coffee farmers in Bangor Ridge have been restive as they continue to have tremendous challenges in cultivating their crops, noting that the problem has been compounded by the irregular payments by the Coffee Industry Board since the last coffee crop ended in July.



The PNP said that the farmers have been appealing to the government for assistance for months without success.



Opposition spokesman on Agriculture Roger Clarke is questioning the timing of Dr Tufton’s tour, due to these findings.



Have your say at www.gleanerblogs.com