ABLP incumbent candidate for St. John's City East, Melford Nicholas, is highlighting job creation and economic empowerment as cornerstones of his campaign ahead of the April 30 general election, pointing to his record of employment facilitation and outlining plans to expand opportunities within the constituency.
According to Antigua News Room, Nicholas outlined his achievements and forward-looking agenda during an appearance on ABS Television's Know Your Candidates programme. "Several scores of individuals have been able to find gainful employment as a result of my intervention," he said, citing employment opportunities facilitated through government ministries and agencies.
Nicholas said his campaign is now focused on building upon that foundation through small business development, education, and youth programmes aimed at supporting long-term economic mobility for constituents.
Central to his business development plans is a proposed commerce park designed to house up to ten small businesses within the community. "Small business development is something that I'm going to support… by lowering the cost," Nicholas said, adding that the development is expected to contribute to local economic activity, including tourism-related ventures.
Nicholas also pointed to continued investment in education, specifically scholarships and access to continuing education programmes. "With the scholarship programme that we have, the continuing education programme… we continue to invest in those persons in their productive years," he said.
Youth engagement initiatives — including summer camps and sports programmes — were cited as additional efforts to build skills and create positive pathways for young people in the constituency.
Nicholas further noted that he has actively directed residents toward government-backed funding mechanisms for aspiring entrepreneurs. "I've always referred persons to the entrepreneurial development fund… and provided the technical assistance for them to be able to get those business plans done," he said.
With election day approaching, Nicholas said his priority remains expanding access to jobs and business opportunities as a means of strengthening economic independence across St. John's City East.
