KINGSTON, Jamaica — Eastern St Thomas Member of Parliament Yvonne Rose-Marie Shaw has delivered a sharp critique of the 2024 Throne Speech, characterizing the government’s address as profoundly disconnected from the severe infrastructure and resource challenges plaguing her constituency. The parliamentary representative expressed profound disappointment following Governor General Sir Patrick Allen’s delivery of the annual policy outline at Gordon House on Thursday, asserting that the optimistic portrayal of national progress contradicts the harsh realities facing St Thomas residents.
In an exclusive interview, Shaw highlighted multiple critical areas where her constituency remains neglected. ‘The Throne Speech presentation suggests everything is functioning optimally across Jamaica, but this contradicts the daily experiences of my constituents,’ Shaw stated. She identified a severe water distribution crisis affecting numerous communities including Cheswick, Barking Lodge, Stanton Road, Stanton Housing Scheme, Prospect, Dumfries, and Leith Hall, noting that emergency funds for water trucking have been completely depleted.
Transportation infrastructure represents another critical concern. Shaw referenced particularly hazardous road conditions, including a dangerous breakaway in Rowlandsfield that has already claimed one life. ‘A single fatality from infrastructure neglect is unacceptable,’ the MP emphasized, voicing particular alarm about this situation. She described the Sunning Hill to Water Valley main road as being in ‘abominable’ condition while identifying the Morant Bay to Wilmington roadway as requiring immediate government intervention.
Recreational infrastructure has similarly deteriorated according to the parliamentarian. Public access to Lyssons Beach has become severely limited due to declining conditions, despite previous investments by the Tourism Product Development Company. ‘Residents cannot even utilize what was once a popular recreational beach for picnics and family gatherings,’ Shaw noted.
The MP confirmed she intends to urgently engage Works Minister Robert Morgan to secure funding for critical repairs, acknowledging fiscal constraints while maintaining that certain situations demand immediate attention. Shaw reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for St Thomas constituents, concluding: ‘They call us the forgotten parish and claim conditions are improving. I need to see tangible evidence of this progress, and more importantly, my residents deserve to witness it firsthand.’