Roads, water and access to healthcare remain the top concerns in St. John’s Rural North, according to Tourism Minister and incumbent candidate Charles Fernandez, who says work is ongoing but challenges persist.

Speaking during a “Know Your Candidate” interview ahead of the April 30 general election, Fernandez said infrastructure continues to dominate his agenda, with road repairs and upgrades at the forefront.

“Roads… was number one,” he said, pointing to ongoing works in areas including Yorks, Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant, where some communities previously had no paved roads.

He said additional equipment and funding are expected to accelerate the pace of road construction, with a third paver set to come into operation and financing anticipated to support expanded works across the constituency.

Water supply remains another major issue, with Fernandez noting that the government has invested heavily in reverse osmosis plants and pipeline upgrades to improve reliability.

He said production has increased significantly, with daily output now around 11 million gallons and expected to rise further as new capacity comes online.

However, he acknowledged that aging infrastructure continues to pose difficulties.

“It is still a challenge in some areas… it’s not perfect,” Fernandez said, citing the need to replace old pipes and modernise valves to stabilise the system.

On healthcare, Fernandez said improving access at the community level is a key priority, particularly through enhanced services at local clinics.

He said he supports plans to extend clinic hours and increase the presence of medical doctors, arguing that more flexible access would better serve residents who are unable to attend during standard daytime hours.

“That is something that I welcome immensely… and something I think is needed,” he said.

Fernandez said these priorities will continue to guide his approach if re-elected, with a focus on delivering basic 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 campaign issues.