George Wehner Proposes UWI Campus in Pears to Boost Agriculture and Education

George Wehner, the United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for the January 14 by-election in St. Peter, has pledged to establish a branch of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus in Pares if elected.

Speaking at a rally in Pares, Wehner outlined his vision for the constituency, emphasizing the importance of agricultural education and development.

Wehner proposed that the new facility be dedicated to agricultural studies and named in honour of Sir Robert Hall, a distinguished figure in the community.

He described the initiative as a step towards revitalizing the agricultural sector in St. Peter, which he claimed has suffered from years of neglect.

“We have vast tracts of fertile land in St. Peter, and it’s time we put them to use for the benefit of our people,” he said. “A UWI agricultural faculty in Pears would not only provide educational opportunities for our youth but also stimulate economic growth and create jobs.”

The UPP candidate also highlighted the broader challenges facing education in the constituency, citing poor academic performance at Pears Secondary School.

According to Wehner, only two students from the school passed mathematics in the 2023 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, a situation he described as “heartbreaking.”

He pledged to expand the school’s curriculum to include vocational and technical studies, preparing students for a competitive job market. “It’s not enough to focus solely on academics. Young people need skills to survive and thrive in today’s world,” he said.

Wehner’s vision for St. Peter includes transforming the constituency into a hub for agro-industries and agro-processing. He pointed to the area’s historical success in crop production and proposed using modern technologies such as drones to enhance agricultural efficiency.

He also criticized past government decisions that he claimed alienated significant tracts of arable land from the people of St. Peter.

“We have the potential to reclaim our legacy as a leader in agriculture,” Wehner said, adding that the proposed UWI branch would play a pivotal role in this transformation.

Wehner’s speech also addressed the longstanding infrastructure issues in St. Peter, including poor roads, inadequate healthcare services, and a lack of recreational facilities.

He described the abandonment of the local clinic as a symbol of the constituency’s neglect under successive administrations.

“St. Peter has been in the Labour Party’s column for over 50 years, yet what do we have to show for it? The infrastructure is crumbling, and basic services are lacking,” he said.

Wehner urged residents of St. Peter to vote for change in the upcoming by-election, presenting himself as a passionate advocate for their needs.

“St. Peter will no longer suffer neglect in silence. Together, we can bring about the change this constituency desperately needs,” he concluded.

The by-election in St. Peter, set for January 14, comes at a critical time for the constituency, with issues of development, education, and infrastructure at the forefront of voters’ concerns.

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