Roads, water and access to healthcare remain the top concerns in St. John’s Rural North, according to Tourism Minister and incumbent candidate Charles Fernandez, who says work is ongoing but challenges persist.
Speaking during a “Know Your Candidate” interview ahead of the April 30 general election, Fernandez said infrastructure continues to dominate his agenda, with road repairs and upgrades at the forefront.
“Roads… was number one,” he said, pointing to ongoing works in areas including Yorks, Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant, where some communities previously had no paved roads.
He said additional equipment and funding are expected to accelerate the pace of road construction, with a third paver set to come into operation and financing anticipated to support expanded works across the constituency.
Water supply remains another major issue, with Fernandez noting that the government has invested heavily in reverse osmosis plants and pipeline upgrades to improve reliability.
He said production has increased significantly, with daily output now around 11 million gallons and expected to rise further as new capacity comes online.
However, he acknowledged that aging infrastructure continues to pose difficulties.
“It is still a challenge in some areas… it’s not perfect,” Fernandez said, citing the need to replace old pipes and modernise valves to stabilise the system.
On healthcare, Fernandez said improving access at the community level is a key priority, particularly through enhanced services at local clinics.
He said he supports plans to extend clinic hours and increase the presence of medical doctors, arguing that more flexible access would better serve residents who are unable to attend during standard daytime hours.
“That is something that I welcome immensely… and something I think is needed,” he said.
Fernandez said these priorities will continue to guide his approach if re-elected, with a focus on delivering basic services that directly affect daily life in the constituency.
The St. John’s Rural North seat is expected to be closely contested in the upcoming election, with infrastructure and service delivery emerging as central campaign issues.
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I don’t understand why “roads” and “clinics” and “water” must be at the top of their priorities as if we’re not all paying taxes and these things “must” be done.
They are making seem as if they are giving it to us, as such we’re not entitled. I don’t understand the purpose of paying taxes if this must be on politicians agenda each and every election. Damn it!
Maybe I am hard headed.
Someone please help me!!!!
Labour party candidates seem to have forgotten that labour party has been in office over the past twelve years.
Can someone shake that into their heads.
The apparently have forgotten that they are the incumbent government and most of them incumbent candidates.
They are prioritizing issues which they deliberately refused to do over the past twelve years.
Today they are making those issues the center of their campaign and priority like they were not there all along.
Max Fernandez, stop embarrassing yourself and your party and government.
The issues you are high lighting are the reasons you were voted into office since 2014.
Were you hiding under a stone?
Are you of the belief that those issues should have been done by the opposition?
No. No. Not. No. No. Not. No. No. Not. No. No
You have it wrong.
Those issues were your campaign promises.
You accused the then UPP of not having done them.
You said you would do them if elected.
You were elected on that basis.
What have you done since?
You have ignored your promises and responsibilities.
Well, after three election you are dillusional to believe that you can play the sympathy card and come promising to do the things that you should have done a long time ago.
Your time is over.
It is now time for fresh ideas.
It is Maleka Parker’s time.
Step aside.
You have been enriched by the government bailing you out with your obsolete cinema.
Go enjoy it
WE VOTING MALEKA PARKER.
We REDy 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 MAX IT UP!!!