PM dismisses 'noise' surrounding Portmore parish plan

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

As controversy swirls around the push to make Portmore Jamaica's 15th parish, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has moved to silence what he describes as "noise" surrounding the government's decision.

 

During a tour of the Portmore Resilience Park on Friday, Dr. Holness said his administration has made every effort to engender a smooth and non-political transition to parish status, including widespread public consultations.

 

But he says the parliamentary opposition remains intent on disrupting and challenging the process. 

 

"So it doesn't really matter what we do. It is clear that the opposition would oppose it," he contended. 

 

Noting that there are two types of people - those who "make things happen" and those who "prevent things from happening" - Dr. Holness suggested that his Jamaica Labour Party government is the former. 

 

"Jamaica can see who are the people making things happen, and who are the people who are either incapable, or deliberately trying to prevent things from happening. This park is a perfect example. This park, in which we are standing, was proposed many years ago, including promises made by the now opposition that they would do it. They never did. There is only really one government that is capable of doing things," he asserted.

 

The People's National Party has been strident in its opposition of Portmore becoming the 15th parish, accusing the Jamaica Labour Party of gerrymandering. 

 

 

With Portmore poised to receive parish status, the government is making good on its promise that all parishes will receive a major recreational facility, with the near completion of the Portmore Resilience Park.

 

Ground was broken for the park in May last year.

 

Prime Minister Holness said the project is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2025. 

 

"I feel very privileged today to not only be able to break ground, but to witness works up to about 50% completion. We are expecting that by September of this year, we should be able to complete the project. It is going to be the pride of parks in the island. We have had Emancipation Park. We built the Harmony Park. And now we are building the Resilience Park. These parks are all named for important values of our country," he boasted.  

 

There have been concerns about the absence of parish-defining amenities in Portmore, including a hospital.

 

But Dr. Holness said the administrative declaration of parish status will be twinned with the necessary development to align Portmore with established parish standards. 

 

"Portmore will probably have even more. It is likely to probably be the most urbanised parish in Jamaica, and it will necessarily need a very well-developed urban infrastructure. I just toured certain roadworks that are being done, capital works, that will improve significantly the traffic flow in the community, but not just traffic. It will improve water, broadband, sewage, and there are other facilities in the works." 

 

He added that Portmore has long moved beyond being a transit point for business in Kingston.

 

Noting that the area has developed a robust housing market and local economy for business, Dr. Holness said the government must respond accordingly, while also establishing a systematic governance structure.