Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Repeating much of her budget promises, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday outlined an ambitious development agenda for western Jamaica, which includes improved water supply, roads, electricity, housing and agriculture, which she said is aimed at enhancing rural life.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was giving the keynote address at yesterday's commissioning of the US$400,000 (J$25.6 million) Seven Rivers Irrigation System in St. James, said she believes that with the right development strategies, poverty can be wiped out.

"Today, we focus on irrigation to support agriculture, but this is only one aspect of an integrated rural development strategy," the Prime Minister said. "It is part of a major effort to improve rural life. I believe country people deserve the very best.

"The Government's rural development strategy is not just about putting in irrigation systems to help our farmers, it also covers, among other things, water supply for communities, roads, electricity and housing," the Prime Minister continued.

In terms of roads, Mrs. Simpson Miller said the Government has spent J$600 million on roads in western Jamaica, covering the parishes of Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny and St. James.