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Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson and Prime Minister Andrew Holness
By Prince Moore
Despite an impassioned plea by Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Kamina Johnson Smith, opposition senators maintained their stance and voted against an extension of the states of emergency declared in seven parishes across the island.
The states of emergency will therefore come to an end on Tuesday, November 29.
The government needed the support of at least one opposition senator in the Upper House to approve the extension.
But after several hours of debate and desperate pleas from government senators, the opposition did not budge and all eight of those members voted against the measure.
"I don’t need anybody’s mathematical genius to announce: Ayes - 13, noes - 8. The motion is not carried," Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson announced.
Reacting following the vote, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he was "very disappointed the opposition could not find it within themselves to support the saving of innocent lives, utilising a tool that is constitutionally provided for".
But he said the government will continue to "use the resources at our disposal" and "spare no effort" to keep Jamaicans safe, spare Jamaican lives and, go after criminals.
Mr. Holness thanked members of the security forces who he said "worked very hard during the SOEs", adding that while they are also disappointed by the decision, they will continue to work harder to ensure that Jamaica is safe and secure.
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