The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has given another commitment to restore the Public Works Department to government if elected into office in the upcoming general elections.
Member of Parliament for St. Andrew North West, Alleyne Walker gave the reassurance while addressing a massive party meeting at Carlton Junction to endorse Sylvester Quarless as Congress' candidate for the St. Andrew South-west Constituency.
The department was disbanded by the current New National Party (NNP) of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell who preferred to give contracts to private persons to do a number of government projects.
The Mitchell government has been accused of giving contracts mainly to loyal party supporters.
Walker, a former junior minister in the Ministry of Works under the late Herbert Blaize and Sir Nicholas Brathwaite's Governments said that through the public works people will be able to obtain long-term meaningful jobs.
"One of the things that we are saying that we want to bring back is the Public Works Department. We are saying people cannot depend on a fortnight's work, or a contract to do business. We are saying that if you work in the Public Works Department, you would be working everyday," he told the large gathering.
Walker said while there would also be contracts to be awarded under a Congress government, there is need for people to be employed on a permanent basis.
According to Walker, due to the absence of the department, there is no road maintenance in place, hence the deterioration in the road network. "We don't want to give you (the people) hand-outs. We want to give you a job, and let you decide for yourself what you want," he said.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for the Town of St. George, Peter David who also addressed the meeting said that in an effort to strengthen the democratic process, an NDC Government will reinstate Local Government.
David said his party believes in "giving back power to the people" and that too many times politicians believe that they are masters over the people. "We will ensure that we become the masters of our destiny when we vote them (NNP) out and bring in Local Government after the next General Elections", he told the gathering.
