Roads, water supply and access to healthcare are the top priorities for St. John's Rural North, according to Tourism Minister and incumbent candidate Charles Fernandez, who says progress is being made but significant challenges remain.
According to Antigua News Room, Fernandez outlined his constituency agenda during a "Know Your Candidate" interview ahead of the April 30 general election, with infrastructure improvements dominating his platform.
"Roads… was number one," Fernandez said, pointing to ongoing works in Yorks, Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant — communities where some streets were previously unpaved. He added that additional equipment and funding are expected to accelerate construction, with a third paver set to come into operation and financing anticipated to support expanded works across the constituency.
Water supply remains a pressing concern. Fernandez noted that the government has invested heavily in reverse osmosis plants and pipeline upgrades to improve reliability. Daily output has risen to approximately 11 million gallons, he said, with further increases expected as new capacity comes online.
However, Fernandez was candid about the limitations of the current system. "It is still a challenge in some areas… it's not perfect," he said, acknowledging the need to replace aging pipes and modernise valves to stabilise distribution.
On healthcare, Fernandez said improving community-level access is a key goal, particularly through enhanced services at local clinics. He expressed support for plans to extend clinic hours and increase the availability of medical doctors, arguing that greater flexibility would better serve residents unable to attend during standard daytime hours.
"That is something that I welcome immensely… and something I think is needed," he said.
Fernandez stated that these priorities will continue to shape his approach if he is re-elected, with a focus on delivering essential services that directly affect daily life in the constituency.
The St. John's Rural North seat is expected to be closely contested in the upcoming election, with infrastructure and service delivery emerging as central issues on the campaign trail.
