Marks says private funds covering tanks for JLP workers in Manchester North Eastern
Published:Tuesday | June 24, 2025 | 5:43 PM
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representative for Manchester North Eastern, Senator Audrey Marks, is rejecting claims of political tribalism over her pledge to distribute water tanks to party workers, insisting the initiative is privately funded.
In a statement earlier on Tuesday, her opponent, People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker Valenton Wint, questioned whether public funds were involved.
"I am clearly from a different orientation from my opponent, who put out a media release today. I am not used to depending on state resources to implement social intervention and to respond to the pressing and urgent needs of people," Marks responded.
The controversy stems from Marks’ announcement at a meeting with workers on Sunday that black water tanks will be distributed as part of efforts to “look after" them.
"All the workers will be getting water because... pastor christen him pickney first," Marks said, noting that the first batch of 50 tanks will be provided this week.
The remarks drew swift condemnation from Wint, who accused Marks of engaging in partisan politics in the distribution of basic resources.
“The People’s National Party utterly rejects this vulgar, divisive and outdated style of politics," Wint said in a statement. "It is appalling and deeply troubling that a candidate seeking to represent the people would openly declare that basic necessities like water storage tanks will be reserved for those aligned with her party."
But Marks insisted the initiative is neither new nor exclusive in intent. She explained that the tank distribution is part of a broader social programme that includes scholarships and will soon be expanded to cover other areas.
"I have a very public track record for over 30 years where I have been using my resources and raising funds to respond to challenges facing people," she said. "I recognise that the government has limited resources, so I have committed to expanding the support system by assisting my Party Workers in alleviating this plight."
Marks, a minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, said an additional 300 tanks are expected to be distributed this month, particularly in anticipation of the drought season.
She urged the PNP to "resist the urge to misrepresent her commitment to serving the people of the constituency in good faith and with integrity, honesty and transparency."
Wint, however, maintained that the optics of the pledge were troubling, especially given Jamaica’s long history of political clientelism.
“I certainly hope that it is not public resources that will be used to fund this partisan election promise from the JLP,” he said. “Every Jamaican, regardless of party colour, deserves equal access to services and assistance.”
The Government is operating a separate water talk distribution programme.
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