Jackson chides PM for denying Portmore parish plan is an election gimmick

By Kimone Witter    

 

The parliamentary opposition says the latest assertion by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that the government's intention to make Portmore a parish is not an election gimmick is nothing more than a deceptive tactic.

 

Mr. Holness addressed the issue in his presentation at the Jamaica Labour Party's Central Executive meeting on Sunday, where he said the country's evolution requires the government to make strategic changes to enhance the development of areas like Portmore.

 

But opposition spokesperson for affairs concerning Portmore, Fitz Jackson, who has demanded more consultation regarding the impending status change for the municipality, says the Prime Minister's remarks insult the intelligence of residents of Portmore and the Jamaican people at large.

 

Mr. Jackson reiterated the absence of concrete plans for the development of Portmore.

 

He added that the Prime Minister's failure to articulate democratic and transparent processes for considering Portmore's parish status may be perceived as confirmation of boundary manipulations. 

 

"Jamaica cannot and ought not to resume such practices that have in the past led to violence, bloodshed and hundreds of deaths. The People's National Party will take all necessary steps to preserve Jamaica's outstanding achievement in de-tribalizing our electoral processes and administration. This will include legal actions and civil protests," he warned.