Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator

Chang

WESTERN BUREAU:

Developing a comprehensive plan to demonstrate a new direction for the island's water and housing portfolio is foremost for the new minister, Dr. Horace Chang.

"I am going to ensure that a housing policy, and a comprehensive plan to set goal posts for our work, is in place by the next budget presentation," said the 54-year-old medical doctor, who is a first-time government minister.

"I intend to revive activities under the Local Community Improvement Act to enhance the quality of living in what is called 'tenement yards' in urban areas."

Dr. Chang named Second Street in Albion, which forms part of his North West St. James constituency, and a soon to be identified community in the Corporate Area, as those for initial attention.

The parish of St. James is home to 19 of the country's squatter settlements.

"This administration is looking at housing as a driving force to reverse decay in core urban areas," the minister added. "It also means coming to grips with the squatter settlements ... formalising and rationalising what we have now, and bringing them back into the formal sector as a dynamic community."

This move, according to Dr. Chang, could mean the relocation of some residents, in addition to instituting measures to prevent the expansion of the informal communities by "providing affordable solution to low-income workers".

WATER

On the matter of water Minister Chang, who is also a Jamaica Labour Party deputy leader in charge of Area Council Four, said the aim is to improve efficiency and get the commodity to those without in the rural and urban areas.

"It is also essentially ensuring that urban areas have sufficient supply especially in the fast growing populace in the south-east region, that is May Pen to the Corporate Area," he stated.

The issue of waste-water disposal is also under his microscope.

"If we stick to septic tanks and pits, we will contaminate aquifers. I must point out that the protection of watersheds and underground supplies is important to our policy," Dr. Chang said.

Facts about Dr Horace Chang

First elected to Parliament in 1980 elected as the Member of Parliament for Western Hanover, where he served until 1989.

Has served as vice-president of Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the JLP

Has served as deputy secretary for the JLP

Has served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health

Has served as Opposition Spokesman on Housing and Inner-City Development.