Portmore parish push triggers protest in municipality
Published:Wednesday | February 26, 2025 | 12:06 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
The controversy surrounding the move to designate Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish escalated on Monday as scores of residents, backed by high-ranking People’s National Party (PNP) officials and municipal councillors, took to the streets in protest.
The demonstration, which began as early as 5:30 a.m. along Dawkins Drive, saw placard-bearing protesters voicing their frustration with the Government’s decision to push ahead with the plan without what they deem to be adequate consultation.
The main concerns raised were the lack of public engagement before the bill was introduced in Parliament and the absence of key infrastructure such as a hospital, a market, and a courthouse – key facilities that other parishes have.
“I am here standing up because I don’t believe that Portmore should be a parish, reason being, the Government sidestepped us by going overboard and passed a bill in Parliament without consultation with we, the residents,” said resident Natasha Brown. “I believe we, the residents of Portmore, should be consulted so we could cast a vote to make this important decision.”
Another protester, who only gave her name as Simone, took time off work to participate in the demonstration.
“When [Prime Minister] Andrew [Holness] turn Portmore in a parish, we will have to find money to change our land titles, and this is not right. Let Portmore stay Portmore. We don’t have a market or a courthouse. How him fi turn Portmore in a parish? Him can’t do that,” she lamented.
Even some supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) joined the protest, citing poor communication from the Government.
“They are trying to turn Portmore into a parish but it difficult, it hard. First of all, Portmore don’t have a road driving in from Spanish Town or Kingston. Coming into Portmore from anyone of these places there are no roads. Second of all, Portmore doesn’t have a parish capital,” said Kemar Kura, who identified himself as a Labourite.
CLEAR MESSAGE
Fitz Jackson, opposition spokesman on Portmore affairs, described the protest as a clear message that residents would not accept what he called an erosion of their democratic rights.
“This is a retrograde, unfortunate, and sad occurrence. In doing what they are doing, they are ripping apart the Electoral Advisory Commission of Jamaica from being an independent body to set political boundaries in Jamaica,” Jackson argued.
He pointed to the potential loss of Portmore’s right to directly elect its mayor, non-political representation on the municipal council, and the ability to influence boundary designation as key democratic rights being threatened.
Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas stood in solidarity with the protesters, echoing their demand for consultations.
“The people want to have consultations, they want their voices to be heard, and they are demanding that the Government consult them on the issue. So I am standing with them to show my support as mayor and a resident of Portmore,” Thomas said.
The bill, which has already passed the Lower House, is now awaiting debate in the Senate.