State sets stage for making Portmore parish no. 15
Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 4:51 PMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
The Government on Tuesday tabled a bill for the Counties and Towns (Amendment) Act 2025, setting the stage for Portmore’s elevation to parish status.
The bill, which was tabled by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, proposes changes to Section 3 of the act, incorporating what would become the island’s 15th parish into the county of Middlesex, while Section 4 would outline its specific boundaries. It also seeks to amend Section 5 of the Local Governance Act to facilitate the establishment of the Portmore Municipal Corporation.
One of the key changes involves revoking Portmore’s city municipality status, which has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition People’s National Party (PNP).
Fitz Jackson, the opposition spokesman on Portmore-related matters, accused the Holness administration of attempting to manipulate in St Catherine’s constituency boundaries for political advantage.
“This is nothing short of a backward and retrograde move,” Jackson later said in a statement. “The proposed changes undermine the independence of the Electoral Advisory Commission, which has been instrumental in ending political tribalism and violence in Jamaica.”
PARISH BOUNDARIES
The bill outlines the boundaries of the new Portmore parish, which would include areas such as Hellshire Hills and Goat Island, but it leaves out communities like Lakes Pen, Grange Lane, Lime Tree Grove, and Quarry – areas seen as PNP strongholds.
The newly designated parish town will be called the City of Portmore and will encompass lands east of North Arscot, as well as the municipal building, police station, Inland Revenue Department, and parts of Naggo Head and Braeton.
Jackson also voiced concerns over the possible abolition of the direct election of Portmore’s mayor, a system that residents fought to establish.
“The residents of Portmore have spoken loudly against these changes, as evidenced by their overwhelming rejection of attempts to sever Portmore from the rest of St Catherine in the recent local government elections,” Jackson stated.
The debate over Portmore’s potential parish status has been long-running, with the PNP opposing the move.
Jackson warned that moving ahead with the bill could have far-reaching consequences.
“The independence of the Electoral Advisory Commission, which was established to eliminate gerrymandering and political violence, is at risk,” he said. “This move is a step back to the dark days of political tribalism and bloodletting, which the Electoral Advisory Commission helped to eradicate.”
He said the Government is yet to provide clear benefits for making Portmore a parish.