Bill drafted for Portmore to become Jamaica's 15th parish

Radio Jamaica News has obtained a copy of the draft Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill 2022 which will form the basis of Portmore becoming Jamaica's 15th parish.

 

The bill has implications for the boundaries of the municipality as well as the ability of residents to directly elect their mayor.

 

The proposal for a 15th parish has elicited mixed reactions from members of the public, particularly residents of Portmore, and prompted the establishment of a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to consider the move.

 

That committee, chaired by Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South Central, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, agreed to support the proposal for the "Sunshine City" to become Jamaica's newest parish.

 

In February this year, the House of Representatives concluded debate on the Joint Select Committee's report and voted to approve the motion granting parish status to Portmore.

 

This has paved the way for the government to table the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

 

The proposed legislation makes it clear that if enacted without amendment, citizens of Portmore will no longer be able to vote directly to elect their mayor, since the bill proposes a repeal of the Charter of the Municipality of Portmore, 2015, which provides for the election of the mayor in keeping with the Parish Councils Act.

 

The draft bill also proposes changes to the Portmore municipality boundary which would see it incorporating Ferry.

 

Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Southern, Fitz Jackson, who was part of the joint select committee considering the establishment of Portmore as a parish, has described the proposals as a travesty and an affront to democracy.

 

He outlined that the Portmore Municipality was created after extensive consultation with residents, calling it "a sad day" when the government decides to proceed with plans to establish new boundaries and end the practice of a directly elected mayor without again consulting the people.