(L - R) Dabdoub, Vaz

Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

Since 1989 the People's National Party (PNP) has dominated the constituency of West Portland, retaining it for the better part of 17 years, despite gallant challenges from the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The constituency is to be contested by Abe Dabdoub of the governing PNP, and his opposing number, Daryl Vaz of the JLP. In the 2002 General Election the PNP won the seat by only 300 votes.

The constituency, according to Electoral Office of Jamaica website, boasts an electorate of a little less than 18,000. And like most constituencies in rural parishes there are many challenges.

Deplorable road conditions have plagued every community in the constituency, with many of the roads going without repairs for up to 20 years.

Unavailability of piped water

Another challenge is the unavailability of piped water, a parish which arguably has the most rainfall in the Caribbean. In modern- day Jamaica, many are still carrying water drawn from distant streams and rivers in containers on their heads. There is also the problem of high unemployment, which has plagued not only older residents but adolescent school leavers as well.

Errol 'Jiggs' Ennis, Member of Parliament, who has announced he will be quitting representational politics at the end of his term in office, currently represents West Portland.

The constituency stretches from St. Margaret's Bay along the main to Windsor Castle at the border of Portland and St. Mary. It also extends through the Buff Bay Valley, Swift River, Fruitful Vale, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hall and a part of the Rio Grande Valley.

And for some residents who have spent more than half a century in the area amid the plights and challenges, it would appear they are being neglected, or otherwise forgotten by the authorities.

"We have lost all hope of ever seeing this road repaired," said Hezekiah Hartley, a 77-year-old farmer of Chepstow in the Buff Bay Valley. "This is a coffee-farming community, which forms a part of the parish's breadbasket, and yet we have no roads to transport our produce - this is madness."

In recent times residents were forced to take their frustrations to the streets and in doing so, mounted a massive roadblock along the main road leading from St. Margaret's Bay to Hart Hill - extending for 18 miles - to protest against the deplorable road conditions.

Expressed disappointment

Other residents, including Millicent Thompson and her family, have expressed disappointment at the absence of potable water in the various communities. Many residents share the opinion that at least one standpipe should be posted in each community, to give easy access to water.

"Many of us are unable to perform domestic chores in a healthy environment, as a lack of water has prevented us," Ms. Thompson said.

"Oftentimes persons, including children, have fallen ill as a result of untreated water. And frequent outbreaks of epidemics have also claimed lives and left many handicapped," she claimed.

The mother of nine also said that the carrying of water in containers by residents from rivers or streams many miles away has become a tradition and routine in many areas. She noted that children inherit this practice from their parents.

The employment situation has become so acute that school leavers like Handel Harris, who gained more than five passes in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams, have to make painful compromises, including taking up odd jobs, which are below their levels of qualification.

Others sit around watching television, hoping for more to come their way, while there are those who turn to the dead end road of the criminal.