BLP candidate for St. Michael South Central, Marsha Caddle (right), chatting with supporters yesterday.
BARBADOS Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St. Michael South Central, Marsha Caddle, says there are certain pervasive and stubborn issues affecting the people of that constituency that must be addressed urgently.
Caddle told the media yesterday that some of the issues include basic health-care issues that are being caused by stagnant water due to poor infrastructure and dilapidated housing structures, along with a high unemployment rate.
Stating her concerns during the BLP’s rubbing shoulders event in that constituency yesterday, Caddle said she was concerned that while residents are living in these conditions, they appear to have a Parliamentary Representative [Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy] who seems not to care about their circumstances.
“They see it and they feel it,” she said.
“There are scores, hundreds of young women and men who have left school under this current Parliamentary Representative and have never been able to know what it is to earn a living, to live decent lives in Barbados. It is wrong and it should not happen,” she said.
Caddle also accused Government of being neglectful in finding work for constituents, pointing out the building of the Valerie high-rise homes as a perfect example of “fattening the pockets” of one contractor.
“Now, this week we have been talking about some very important issues and we noticed that the Minister of Tourism has had ample opportunities to respond. He had a half hour in Parliament.
“He had primetime exposure to be able to satisfy questions, not that I am asking, not that the Barbados Labour Party is asking, but that the people of St. Michael South Central and the people of Barbados are asking,” she said.
The economist said while many constituents have approached her asking for help in finding job opportunities, if it be the will of the people of St. Michael South Central, she is there to help them live the type of dignified lives that they have always wanted.
“It hurts me to see that there are people that have languished for nine years under this Parliamentary Representative and have not even been given the dignity of a conversation or of an audience or of simply coming to spend time to understand what is keeping people up at night.
“That is not representation. I want to say that if it be the will of the people of St. Michael South Central, I am here to offer the kind of representation that they deserve,” the candidate declared. (AH)