The Government is currently designing a new entrance to Portmore in St Catherine This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with Responsibility for Works He said the project aims to ease traffic congestion for motorists exiting Mandela Highway to enter the municipality you see that ‘parking lot’ on Mandela Highway in the evenings because of the bottleneck right there at the entrance to Portmore about to go to the Public Investment [Appraisal] Branch to start building the new entrance to Portmore in the next financial year,” Morgan said He made the announcement while providing an update on government projects under the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Programme during his address at the St Catherine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s monthly meeting at Cecil’s Restaurant in Spanish Town on Wednesday Morgan also informed that the $1-billion dualisation project being carried out on Grange Lane in Portmore is expected to be completed by June Expansion work will also begin during the month on Braeton Road to a section of Hellshire main road in the municipality Cabinet approved the project’s implementation at a cost of $2.4 billion Morgan informed that rehabilitative work slated for Sandy Gully in Kingston will be carried out once the Government completes its study of the waterway “We’re doing a study now to rehabilitate the Sandy Gully and its tributaries A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that it’s only the Sandy Gully that stretch from up in Mannings Hill [Road] going all the way down which are also in need of repairs,” he pointed out The Minister indicated that expansion work is also planned for Arthur Wint Drive Lady Musgrave Road and East King’s House Road in Kingston Morgan advised that approximately 10 per cent of work on the Spring Village Bridge replacement project has been completed Plans to replace the bridge were initiated after it was compromised in 2023 The new structure is being built at a cost of $249 million Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. THE final phase of the Road to the Triple Crown series is set to electrify the racing scene this afternoon with The Kingston and The Portmore stakes races promising to deliver high-octane action Native-bred three-year-olds will clash in the two separate Graded Stakes events 11 talented runners are set to compete over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) with Runaway Star favoured to take the top spot Runaway Star has been impressive in its recent outings showcasing speed and stamina that could prove decisive in the contest with other contenders looking to upset the favourite’s plans 13 fillies are to battle over the same distance with Burning Hedge tipped as the favourite Burning Hedge has demonstrated exceptional form and her pedigree suggests she has the potential to excel in this event and several runners could mount a serious challenge to Burning Hedge’s dominance These two events mark a crucial milestone in the Road to the Triple Crown series showcasing the best of Jamaica’s native-bred talent and the competition is expected to be intense with each runner looking to make its mark and claim the coveted prizes The Kingston is positioned as the eighth event with a post time of 4:55 pm while The Portmore is the ninth and final race of the day with a post time of 5:35 pm produced a strong performance the Prince Consort Stakes to win but was disqualified due to causing interference and intimidation to promoted winner Honour Prince Runaway Star might have a clear path to victory His form and training suggest he is the top contender here and Mark My Identity could put in strong bids for second place here Burning Hedge was expected to run better than her seventh-place finish in the recent Thornbird Stakes and if she reproduces her last December form in the eight-furlong (1,600m) Jamaica Two-Year Stakes The Portmore race should be a stroll in the park for her Social Aviator and Danka look to be her two threats here Copyright © 2025 Multimedia Jamaica Ltd The National Works Agency (NWA) has commenced installation of traffic lights at the busy four-way intersection of George Lee Boulevard and Southern Parade The long-awaited project is being welcomed by residents and local officials alike as the intersection has long been a hotspot for road accidents Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas said the move was a crucial step toward improving road safety and order in the municipality "We have experienced numerous traffic accidents resulting in lost of lives over the years So this is vital to regulating traffic flow at this intersection this marks a significant improvement in Portmore," Thomas said on Tuesday West Indies Home Contractors has contributed $20 million to fund the project following strong advocacy from the Portmore Municipal Council Phase two will include widening the roads to create dedicated turning lanes This is intended to ease congestion for vehicles travelling from Waterford to the HEART Academy and for those turning onto Augusta Drive from George Lee Boulevard Thomas also revealed that discussions are ongoing to have surveillance cameras installed in the area under the JamaicaEye programme to enhance monitoring and public safety the Portmore City Municipality will spearhead the extension of the sidewalk from South Parade to the Waterford traffic light as its main Labour Day initiative this year Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. has commended the investment in the establishment of a private hospital in Portmore that will provide a range of advanced medical services to the residents of the municipality located at 9 Cookson Pen on the Braeton Main Road is a 23-bed facility owned by investor Dwight Robinson It offers cutting-edge diagnostic imaging services such as computed tomography (CT) scan and surgical specialties such as neurology has three fully equipped operating theatres and an accident and emergency area that will facilitate walk-in patients “I’m very impressed with what I have seen so far,” Dr during a tour of the facility on Wednesday (April 16) the facilities seem to be well-appointed and appropriate for the provision of high-quality healthcare Robinson and his team for the idea and the investment It’s a big risk to put up a structure like this but I’m happy that there is private initiative in healthcare,” he added Holness acknowledged the importance of adequate access to healthcare for the residents of Portmore it is still worthy of commendation because the investment is in Portmore There is a view that Portmore may be underserved with medical facilities and so I’m happy to see that there is already private initiative to provide the service,” the Prime Minister said The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to building a full-service public hospital in Portmore on land already identified in the Bernard Lodge area the development of a hospital is not something that happens overnight Building hospitals is a very complex undertaking… [and] takes significant planning I’m very happy to see that there are private projects already filling the gap,” he pointed out was born at the loss of his father at age 14 He stated his gratitude to his friends and advisors including Managing Director of Dwight’s Construction Robert Montague and Member of Parliament for St With construction on the hospital almost complete the owner and other stakeholders are awaiting inspections and subsequent approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to begin operations Send An Email Get the latest news & updates from the JIS sent to your inbox The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in The Portmore the final stop on the “Road to the Triple Crown” for native-bred three-year-old fillies 13 talented fillies will clash in a 7½-furlong (1,500m) contest vying for a coveted share of the $4-million purse Among the contenders are three standout performers: Social Aviator the Thornbird Stakes champion; and Burning Hedge Each filly brings her unique strengths and determination to the table the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide takes a closer look at each runner and their chances of winning SIMPLY ENCHANTING: (3 ch f by Soul Warrior – My Elle Belle) — Nothing captivating about her No compelling reasons to consider her a top contender Her pedigree and performance history don’t suggest she’ll stand out SOCIAL AVIATOR: (3 ch f by Bold Conquest – Classy Aviator) — Finished second to Hansa in the Thornbird Stakes over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on April 12 She can potentially outshine the rest of the field Her form and training suggest she’s a strong contender BURNING HEDGE: (3 ch f by Burning Hedge – Burning Clearance) — Expected to run better than her seventh-place finish in the recent Thornbird Stakes and if she reproduces her last December form in the 8-furlong (1,600m) Jamaica Two-Year Stakes this race should be a stroll in the park for her Her improvement in form could make her a threat MIGHTY GULLY: (3 b f by Buzz Nightmare – Lady Exotic) — Can safely be bypassed No strong reasons to believe she’ll perform well Her pedigree and performance history don’t indicate she’ll be competitive DANKA: (3 ch f by Aveenu Malcainu – Baby P) — Finished third behind Hansa and Social Aviator in the recent Thornbird Stakes PERFECT AFFAIR: (3 ch f by Perfect Curlin – Nuclear Affair) — Released maiden tag on March 22 Perfect Affair is the dark horse in this race and her capabilities will be interesting to observe If she can translate her breeding into performance SUMMER PALACE: (3 b f by Bold Conquest – England’s Rose) — Wasn’t a winning factor in the recent Thornbird Stakes Summer Palace’s chances of winning are very slim PRETTY PERFECT: (3 b f by Sensational Slam – Black Bombshell) — The only perfect thing about her was her debut win KHALLESI: (3 gr f by Aveenu Malcainu – Cloudy Greyt) — Only in here to test the depth of the water She doesn’t seem to have the form or pedigree to make an impact LINGUIST: (3 b f by Aveenu Malcainu – Bilingual) — Was an impressive 6½-length winner beating colts over 6½ furlongs (1,300m) on April 27 Given her performance against stronger competition Linguist should run well here among fillies only Her class and form suggest she’s a top contender COSALIVIN: (3 ch f by Bold Conquest – Sweetyourock) — It will be hard for her to earn a living here Her form and pedigree don’t indicate she’ll be competitive MISS MONEYPENNY: (3 ch f by Bern Identity – Pomeroy’s Secret) — At least this miss got some money before because she won’t earn any out of this race Her performance history doesn’t suggest she’ll make an impact RILEY J: (3 b f by Soul Warrior – Hail De Cat) — No chance whatsoever Riley J doesn’t seem to have what it takes to compete at this level Her form and pedigree indicate she’ll struggle View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. has once again criticised the Government’s decision to pass legislation to pave the way to declare Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish calling it a “corruptly conceived parish hoax” Speaking during the Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday Jackson referenced public comments made by St Catherine South Western Member of Parliament Everald Warmington that the boundary shift would benefit the ruling Jamaica Labour Party any reasonable and logical person will conclude that the intent was corrupt,” Jackson declared “Anything corruptly conceived will only breed corrupt outcomes and a host of other desirable outcomes.” He accused the Government of acting in bad faith and said the people of Portmore were being burdened with a tainted legacy this is the stain that is being foisted on the people of Portmore .. This corruptly conceived parish hoax will most certainly result in a miscarriage,” Jackson argued The People’s National Party member of parliament also raised constitutional concerns pointing to recent court orders that have blocked the enactment of the law until the Government complies with specific constitutional requirements “For those who would take the time to familiarise themselves with the now public submissions before the court they will be aware that the basis of the court order that is now preventing Portmore from being declared a parish is but one of the cited breaches of the Constitution by the Counties and Parish Amendment Act of 2025,” Jackson said labelling the legislation “the gerrymandering of political boundaries act of 2025” The matter is expected to be argued in court in the next two months Jackson indicated that once the matter is settled legally seek to establish clear criteria to be fulfilled by a parish and how any subsequent changes will be made He stressed that the issue affects not just Portmore and St Catherine who deserve a voice in any proposed alteration to the island’s near-two-centuries-old 14-parish structure the Electoral Commission of Jamaica recently told a parliamentary committee that it could not provide a timeline for finalising the new constituency boundaries in Portmore or the reconfigured boundaries in St Catherine The designated boundary of the proposed Portmore parish currently overlaps with two constituencies – St Catherine South and East Central – which forms the basis for one of the constitutional breaches outlined in the court submissions ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. The St Catherine South police are trying to identify human skeletal remains that were found in a gully near the Phoenix Vista community in Portmore on Saturday Residents reportedly stumbled upon the skeletal remains at about 10:20 a.m the human remains were discovered near a gully in the community The Portmore Criminal Investigation Branch is leading the probe View the discussion thread. The National Water Commission (NWC) says it "deeply regrets" the death of several crocodiles at its Greater Portmore Sewage Pond adding that all crocodiles were removed before the facility was emptied for repairs the NWC said all crocodiles had been “safely removed” during preparations and subsequent follow-up checks confirmed none were present This regrettable incident occurred despite on-going joint monitoring efforts Preliminary assessments indicate that the animals accessed the dry pond area and were subsequently unable to exit leading to the tragic outcome," the commission said The NWC's statement follows an earlier statement by Minister with responsibility for the environment who described the discovery of 10 dead adult crocodiles at the St Catherine site as “heartbreaking” and “troubling.” Samuda said he had ordered an urgent multi-agency investigation and will tour the facility within 36 hours alongside technical teams from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Opposition Spokesperson on Environment and Ecological Heritage says the results of the investigation into the deaths of adult crocodiles should be made public “It is important that the findings be shared so we can understand exactly what caused this and how it can be prevented in the future,” Frazer Binns said in a media release in which she called for an urgent investigation into the incident Samuda had previously announced that the findings would be made public “This incident raises serious questions about the management of the area and I am calling for a thorough investigation not only to determine what went wrong but to establish whether there was any breakdown in mechanical or other systems and processes.” She also reminded the public that the American Crocodile is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act and harming or killing them is a criminal offence which said it is fully cooperating with NEPA including implementing all of NEPA’s recommendations to prevent a recurrence and strengthening environmental monitoring protocols -Implement and follow through on all recommendations prescribed by NEPA to prevent any recurrence; -Undertake restitution measures in accordance with NEPA’s regulations and guidance; -Review and strengthen protocols around environmental monitoring at its facilities View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. are expressing outrage over the Government’s decision to table legislation to transform Portmore into Jamaica’s 15th parish citing a lack of consultation and the potential loss of their democratic rights The House of Representatives is set to debate the bill today with the Government holding the majority votes needed for passage 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 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 Residents from areas annexed in the proposed changes are frustrated claiming they were blindsided by the decision was outspoken about her dissatisfaction when she spoke to The Gleaner on Monday “I have my vote in the Portmore Pines division and I voted for Claude Hamilton to represent me in the city municipality based on the boundary alignment that I am hearing about which I made in free and fair local government elections in February last year,” she stated “Myself and my household that consists of 17 voters that voted in the local government elections are not pleased with this move We have been voting in this constituency since 2010 and now to be deprived of the person whom we want to represent us is an issue for me,” she continued adding that she is prepared to protest against the change I don’t know why they are trying to do it they should give us a chance to make our voice heard in a referendum I really didn’t know that I would lose my vote that I cast in the local government election because we will no more be a part of Portmore Pines,” Williams said Lakes Pen resident Anna Kay Reid said she was shocked that such a significant decision was made without public input “Nobody knows about the plans to make Portmore a parish We don’t have the amenities other parishes have we are not even ready to become a parish,” Reid said there has not been any consultation with us like what happened when we were granted city municipality status,” she added Waterford resident Velma Brown also criticised the Government’s approach arguing that the people of Portmore should have been involved in the decision-making process “They did not consult us on the issue All we have been hearing is that Portmore will be Jamaica’s 15th parish It is not too late for the Government to hold back and test it on the ballot in the upcoming election,” Brown stated it will not make Portmore richer or provide increased employment for residents there are no amenities in Portmore that will prevent us from going to Spanish Town so I think the Government should rethink this move,” Smith told The Gleaner St Catherine East Central Member of Parliament Alando Terrelonge of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party has defended the proposal Portmore would be better equipped to manage its own affairs He cited the recent investigation into an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud at the St Catherine Municipal Corporation as an example of why Portmore should have independent governance People’s National Party MP aspirant Raymond Pryce has accused Terrelonge of ignoring the concerns of the affected communities for eight years and has slammed the move as “gerrymandering” View the discussion thread. The page you requested is temporarily unavailable Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has pledged to resolve a long-standing drainage issue along Texas Avenue in Independence City that has caused severe structural damage to at least three homes McKenzie announced that funding is now available to address the problem “Once the procurement process has been concluded then we will be working closely with the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Ministry of Local Government to ensure that the project is done “One of the things I have asked the NWA and the ministry to do is to get the services of a structural engineer to give a proper assessment of any damage done to the residents we want to ensure that there is nothing else that is going to be posing a challenge as it relates to the residents.” homeowner Sophie Parnell expressed frustration with the delays revealing the daily struggles her family has endured for years “We have been experiencing the problems for the last five years the water keeps coming up through the floor We noticed an area in the dining area was cracked and the floor started looking black,” she disclosed she described how floodwaters travel from the dining area Parnell also shared deep concerns about the house’s stability It is our greatest fear that the house could collapse at anytime from sustained weather events a crack that was already in the dining-room wall opened [up some] more,” she noted traced the root of the issue to a blocked underground cross drain on Arizona Avenue He blamed “poor planning by the original developers of Portmore” McKenzie also hinted at a broader infrastructure overhaul “One of the things that we are going to do moving Portmore forward as the 15th parish is to have a look at the physical infrastructure because communities like these were built decades ago and we are seeing changing conditions,” he said noting that it is the responsibility of government to provide proper infrastructure editorial@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. The St Catherine South police on Monday seized 21 rounds of ammunition following an operation in Bridgeport lawmen carried out an operation where they seized eleven 5.56 and ten 9mm rounds of ammunition in a store house at the back of a premises No arrests were made in relation to the find View the discussion thread. The Senate yesterday approved the bill to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish despite lingering constitutional concerns and intense political debate The vote came after a marathon session that saw sharp exchanges between Government and Opposition senators underscoring deep divisions over the bill’s implications The approval followed the House of Representatives’ passage of the bill on February 11 The Senate vote unfolded along strict party lines with Government senators backing the legislation and Opposition members standing firmly against it The bill now moves to Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen for his assent the final step needed to officially transform Portmore into a parish A significant shadow over the decision is the constitutional warning from the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) the ECJ cautioned Parliament that the proposed boundary for Portmore might violate the Second Schedule of the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962 “The boundary of a constituency shall not cross the boundary of a parish as delimited by the Counties and Parishes Act or by any law amending or replacing that law.” outlined how the proposed boundary would affect four constituencies – St Catherine South Eastern The changes would also impact 13 electoral divisions and 398 polling divisions currently within St Catherine The commission had raised these concerns as early as June 2024 to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie did not address the matter when the bill was presented in the House of Representatives The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has been vocal in its criticism describing the push for parish status as “political gerrymandering” aimed at benefiting the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in future elections The PNP argues that the boundary changes could manipulate electoral outcomes by reshaping constituencies in the JLP’s favour Opposition Senator Lambert Brown did not mince words during Friday’s Senate debate taking aim directly at Prime Minister Andrew Holness Brown suggested that the people of Portmore desired more than a new parish designation “The people of Portmore want a prime minister whose statutory declaration can be certified The people of Portmore want a prime minister who is not under investigation for illicit enrichment.” interrupted Brown invoking a standing order to prevent such remarks voicing support for PNP leader Mark Golding “The people of Portmore want Mark Golding because he is certified The people of Portmore want Mark Golding because he is not under investigation for illicit enrichment.” Fellow Opposition Senator Peter Bunting echoed concerns about the practicality of implementing the new parish status before the next general election Bunting questioned the Government’s readiness and timeline for executing the administrative and infrastructural changes required for the transition the argument has remained steadfast: the move to designate Portmore as a parish aligns with the wishes of local residents with its rapidly expanding economy and urban landscape deserves its own parish status and the accompanying administrative autonomy Senator Kamina Johnson Smith hailed the Senate debate as a “historic moment” emphasising Jamaica’s sovereignty and legislative independence celebrating the fact that as an independent sovereign nation we are able to take decisions under our sworn authorities as senators of Parliament,” Johnson Smith said She expressed disappointment over the lack of bipartisan support “It did not reflect the unity and celebration of sovereignty that should surround the creation of a new parish in Jamaica the first to have been created in one hundred and fifty-eight years.” Johnson Smith also downplayed the ECJ’s concerns suggesting that the constitutional issues raised were being overblown by the Opposition “The Parliament will declare the parish and then the boundaries will be sorted using the normal mechanisms of the ECJ thereafter,” the minister said speaking to reporters during a tour of the Portmore Resilience Park yesterday defended the Government’s decision and criticised the PNP for obstructing progress He argued that the move to grant parish status to Portmore was not only practical but necessary there are those who make things happen and those who prevent things from happening Jamaica can see who are the people making things happen and who are the people who are either incapable or deliberately preventing things from happening,” Holness said He emphasised Portmore’s development into a bustling urban centre asserting that it requires a dedicated local administration to manage its growth effectively “This is what the Government is doing in declaring Portmore a parish,” he added Holness projected that Portmore would become “the most urbanised parish in Jamaica,” and reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure for the transition The Senate’s approval comes on the heels of protests by some Portmore residents last week urging the Government to reconsider the parish designation Demonstrators expressed concerns over potential disruptions to services and governance as well as fears that the move was politically motivated Senator Brown predicted that even if the bill became law “You know the good thing about it – time come With the Governor-General’s assent as the final hurdle Jamaica stands on the brink of its first new parish creation in over a century debates over the constitutionality and political motivations behind the move are far from settled • Among the bill’s key provisions is the official designation of Portmore as a parish and Quarry Hill from the parish of Portmore • The legislation also provides for the creation of a map for the parish of Portmore and a description of the city • The city of Portmore will incorporate the lands east of North Ascott which include the Portmore Municipal Corporation and the police station lands south of Braeton Parkway which comprise the Inland Revenue Department and commercial entities parts of Naggo Head and lands north of Braeton Road View the discussion thread. and I believe Portmore can thrive with or without parish status As the debate intensifies – especially in an election year – many are taking sides on whether Portmore should become Jamaica’s 15th parish few important questions arise: Who is advocating for Portmore Is the well-being of Portmore a genuine priority for either political party or is it simply a pawn in their ongoing power struggle The 2003 designation of Portmore as a municipality (but not a city) combined with its unofficial title of “Sunshine City” and its unique status of electing a mayor directly Jamaica’s two designated cities do not have directly elected mayors The claim that Portmore residents will be disenfranchised if they lose this feature seems weak given that no other parish elects its mayor in this manner Portmore would instead elect local representatives dedicated solely to its governance The argument that Portmore’s loss of a directly elected mayor equates to disenfranchisement appears more politically motivated than substantive The PNP in St Catherine’s municipal corporation currently enjoys a political advantage which could shift if Portmore were carved out as its own parish Redrawing parish boundaries would also clarify the jurisdiction of communities that straddle the line between Portmore and Spanish Town But the real issue here is that Portmore has become a political football And if one side eventually “scores,” the pressing question remains: How will Portmore actually benefit Proponents of making Portmore a parish highlight several potential benefits: • Portmore contributes significantly to St Becoming a parish would ensure those funds are reinvested in Portmore’s growth Portmore could receive a larger allocation from the central government • Parish status could attract targeted investments in recreation • Portmore’s rapid expansion has blurred municipal lines leaving some communities in administrative limbo Parish status could formally define parameters The 2003 Municipalities Act never included a referendum yet it implicitly positioned a municipality as a step below a parish – perhaps a “parish-in-waiting.” Portmore is unique in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean: it has the population and economic significance of a parish without the official designation According to Statistical Institute of Jamaica 2019 Population Estimate figures Catherine would still be the second largest parish by population size Portmore would become the sixth largest parish with a population of approximately 180,000 Opponents of the move cite several concerns: • Residents and stakeholders have not been adequately engaged • Some fear this change weakens local democracy • Certain communities could be reassigned to St Consultations (about parish designation) with Portmore residents should have taken place meaningful engagement is necessary–unlike the so-called consultation at the Portmore Heart Academy in 2005 where then Minister of Transport and Works infamously dismissed a male resident who opposed the toll with a crude remark “ it must be your time of the month” dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel released Emergency capturing public sentiment with the line: “Portmore me born so we nah pay no toll fi cross de Causeway.” Nearly two decades later Portmore residents have seen toll fees skyrocket – from $60 (around US$1) at its introduction to $360 (approximately US$2.25) today As some of the biggest contributors to the coffers of the Toll Authority/NROCC Portmore residents have borne the financial burden of the toll system since its inception without the benefit the Portmore Municipal Council voted five to four along party lines in favour of the toll road This raises an important question: Would the current Mayor still oppose Portmore becoming a parish if the initiative had come from his own party do not necessarily outweigh the longterm benefits of parish status Hospitals and markets can be developed over time – residents already travel to Spanish Town or Kingston for many essential services Spanish Town Hospital is 10 to 30 minutes from most parts of Portmore while Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) is about 35 minutes away and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is approximately 40 minutes away travel times for residents in other parts of Jamaica Catherine must travel much farther to reach Spanish Town Hospital just as a resident of Temple Hall would take longer to reach UHWI the absence of one in Portmore is not unique most burials do not take place within the parish but instead in St a trend that could continue for Portmore residents regardless of its parish status The others in the metropolitan region are in Kingston Why not implement a structured 10-year plan to ensure Portmore’s readiness before making such a significant transition The last major parish restructuring occurred in 1866 when Jamaica reduced its parishes from 22 to 14 Any new change should be carefully planned ensuring that Portmore’s development – not political convenience – drives the decision Portmore has come a long way from its origins as an independence-era housing project once dismissed as a community for “swamp dwellers.” Today dynamic municipality of nearly 200,000 residents – a vital contributor to the economy Regardless of whether Portmore remains the Sunshine City or becomes the Sunshine parish one thing is clear: Portmore is more than a political battleground It is home to thousands of hardworking Jamaicans Jermaine McCalpin, PhD is associate professor of Africana Studies at New Jersey City University. He has been a Portmore resident since 1984. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. The Government has successfully pushed through legislation to establish Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish despite strong objections from the Opposition during yesterday’s debate in the House of Representatives which amends the Counties and Parishes Act of 1867 was passed using the Government’s supermajority marking what would be the first creation of a new parish in over 150 years The debate in Parliament was highly contentious culminating in a walkout by Opposition members before the final vote to move the bill out of the committee stage The legislation was ultimately approved with one amendment Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie emphasised that the move was not merely about increasing the number of parishes but rather a historic step in post-colonial Jamaica we are beginning the process of giving formal recognition and further empowerment to the people of the largest community in the Caribbean,” McKenzie stated during his opening remarks the civic and the practical developmental opportunities that will allow Portmore to achieve this outstanding milestone and a fulfilment of a commitment made to the electorate of this country by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) while campaigning for public office.” McKenzie further argued that the bill would create greater economic and political opportunities for Portmore’s residents enabling them to manage their own development more effectively it outlines the official designation of Portmore as a parish and the City of Portmore as its parish capital It also excludes specific areas such as Lakes Pen and Quarry Hill and provides for the creation of a new map of Portmore and a formal description of the city the opposition spokesman on Portmore Affairs calling it an attempt at political manipulation this bill entitled an act to amend the Counties and Parishes Act to declare the city municipality of Portmore the 15th parish of Jamaica and for connecting matters would have been most appropriately entitled the gerrymandering of political boundaries bill of 2025,” he remarked His statement sparked an objection from McKenzie who requested the Speaker’s intervention stating: “Such a bill is for the resurrection of political tribalism in Jamaica.” Jackson claimed that many of its provisions already exist under the Municipalities Act of 2003 describing the legislation as unnecessary and politically motivated “In this bill lies a slew of deception repeals the charter of the Municipality of Portmore You know what else in this charter they are repealing You know what they are ripping apart from the people of Portmore They are ripping away from Portmore their right to elect their own mayor,” he contended Jackson reminded Parliament that the city municipality status was not a political construct of the People’s National Party but a direct demand from the people of Portmore He accused the JLP of using the new parish designation to solidify political control “This gerrymandering bill is to undo the results of last February’s local government elections They never won the municipality by the ballot so they want to use their majority in Parliament to achieve this,” Jackson declared Jackson pledged that the PNP would repeal the law once in power and allow the people of Portmore to decide their own fate He also announced plans to challenge the legislation in court View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. A 43-year-old fisherman was gunned down early this morning on Port Henderson Road in Portmore He has been identified as Donovan Morgan of Hellshire Park in Portmore Morgan was shot and killed by an unknown assailant No motive has been established in Morgan's death An investigation is being undertaken by the Bridgeport Criminal Investigation Branch View the discussion thread. the opposition spokesman on national security has called for a thorough investigation into reports of a special police squad accused of intimidating residents in Portmore who toured police districts and stations in St Catherine East Central on Wednesday highlighted a seemingly troubling pattern of behaviour by the squad which operates outside the zones it targets we kept getting reports of operational teams from outside the zones we kept getting reports of a particular district constable who has what I would describe as having a fascist approach to policing,” Bunting said reportedly linked to multiple police fatal shootings is accused of instilling fear among residents A recent case that has drawn attention is the killing of 23-year-old Richard Thomas The police claim that Thomas confronted officers with a Glock pistol alleging that he was unarmed and was murdered “This is the type of action that undermines the professional police officers who are doing a good job to build trust,” Bunting stated “It only takes one suspicious fatal shooting to undermine all the work that dedicated police officers have done.” Bunting urged the Police High Command and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to probe the squad’s operations which he said threatens fragile progress in crime reduction The St Catherine South Police Division has recorded a surge in violent crimes compared to three over the corresponding period last year “Sustainable success in reducing crime is going to be based on trust in the police by the citizens,” Bunting stressed “We are calling on the authorities to ensure that this operational team seemingly always present with this district constable .. The senator also criticised the Government’s spending on national security claiming that billions have been wasted with little to show for it billions of dollars have been spent by this administration on national security which represented more than twice the budget I had in four years,” Bunting said we would have brought crime down much lower today We spent the little we had and got better results,” he concluded He vowed to prioritise the use of AI-driven CCTV systems under a People’s National Party administration to enhance community security while minimising costs View the discussion thread. The St Catherine South police are searching for those responsible for the fatal shooting of a pastor inside his home in Portmore last night The deceased has been identified as 77-year-old Clinton Smith residents heard explosions while Smith was at home He was later found suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds The police were summoned and Smith was transported to the Spanish Town Hospital No motive has been established for his killing The Portmore Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating the matter View the discussion thread. Third-place Arnett Gardens Football Club travel to Ferdi Neita Park this afternoon to face fourth-place Portmore United in the feature Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football game While Arnett are eyeing a return to second place in the table Portmore’s coach Rodolph Austin has his sights set on claiming third spot before the round concludes and two less than Montego Bay United FC in second place A win for the ‘Junglists’ would push them one point ahead of MoBay United while a win for Portmore would cut Arnett’s advantage to four points with three games to go in the third and final round of matches Austin said with their playoff spot virtually secured he noted that they are guarding against that as the aim is to win all their remaining games and try to climb higher up the table “One of the hardest things is to keep players focused Some people become a bit complacent and believe they don’t have to switch on,” he said. So we want to approach all games like that,” Austin stated He pointed out that the hectic schedule has taken a toll on the players physically and that they have had to manage players as best as they can ahead of the playoffs “It can be a bit challenging on the body when you play Sunday-Wednesday Some of the players are not really used to it,” Austin said “They are used to two rounds and now they have gone to three It takes its toll and we just have to try to help them recover as quickly as possible We just have to manage them and come again,” he stated Arnett have gone three games without a win in the league but after a 0-0 draw against archrivals Tivoli Gardens FC in their last game assistant coach Fabian Taylor expressed confidence of a return to winning ways We have a confident bunch and we are just working to improve each and every day going into the playoffs,” Taylor said “It’s a dogfight (for positions) going into the last four This is work in progress and we are looking to improve going into the playoffs We can only can get better,” he declared Tivoli Gardens will look to extend Vere Phoenix’s winless run to eight matches who are unbeaten in their last eight matches Vere Phoenix are bottom of the standings with 23 points six adrift Molynes United and nine behind Humble Lions Defeat for them today would all but condemn the Clarendon team to lower tier football next season Tivoli are seventh in the table on 48 points who will have a much tougher task getting three points against the improving Humble Lions Waterhouse will be favoured to get the better of their opponent when they face Harbour View at Harbour View Harbour View are only three points above the relegation zone and are desperate for points but against a Cavalier team returning to form it will be difficult for the home team to get a positive result from the game two of the teams with the longest winless run Molynes are 13th and second-from-bottom with 29 points,while Dunbeholden are on 33 points livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com Portmore v Arnett at Ferdi Neita Park at 3.30 p.m Harbour View v Cavalier at Harbour View mini stadium at 3.30 p.m Dunbeholden v Molynes at Dunbeholden Sports Complex at 3.30 p.m Vere v Tivoli at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3.30 Waterhouse v Humble Lion at Drewsland mini stadium at 6 p.m View the discussion thread. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the government's commitment to Portmore's transition into Jamaica’s 15th parish emphasising that significant infrastructure investments are already under way to support its growth During a tour of the multimillion-dollar road expansion along the Grange Lane and Passage Fort corridor Holness expressed satisfaction with the quality of work He highlighted the project as a forward-thinking initiative designed to accommodate increased traffic flow particularly with the Bernard Lodge development set to bring more commuters into Portmore “This is a pre-emptive development because we have invested heavily in the Bernard Lodge project which will bring even more traffic to Portmore it is crucial that it has a road network capable of handling the load and facilitating the development of an urban cluster within the parish,” Holness stated The Prime Minister also noted additional road projects in the pipeline including the expansion of the Braeton to Hellshire main road and the widening and dualisation of Municipal Boulevard into four lanes to improve access from Mandela Highway Holness dismissed claims that the parish transition is politically motivated asserting that Portmore’s economic growth justifies the infrastructural developments “The transition to a parish has nothing to do with political machinations as others would want you to believe,” he asserted we must invest in the necessary infrastructure to support its growth The notion of Portmore as a dormitory community is no longer valid because it has its own distinct and independent economy.” Holness toured the under-construction Resilience Park which is now 50% complete and on track for completion by September Developed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) the park will feature a climate change monitoring tower and a 12,000-square-foot commercial space for small and medium-sized enterprises The park will also cater to health and wellness Holness assured residents that Portmore’s transformation is well under way reinforcing its future as a thriving urban hub View the discussion thread. The legal battle surrounding the Portmore parish law took a significant turn yesterday after the Supreme Court issued an order requiring the Government to comply with constitutional requirements before the law can come into effect Both the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and the Government have claimed victory following the ruling as the political and legal conflict deepens over the creation of Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish The court’s ruling stems from an injunction sought by the PNP which argues that the Government’s rush to implement the law violates constitutional procedures concerning constituency boundary changes The case centres on the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act which aims to grant Portmore parish status but has been embroiled in controversy over its potential to affect electoral boundaries and the constitutional integrity of the electoral system Chief Justice Bryan Sykes outlined the Government’s “unequivocal undertaking” not to bring the legislation into operation until it adheres to Section 67 of the Jamaican Constitution which stipulates the procedure for adjusting constituency boundaries This ensures that the law will not be enforced until the necessary constitutional requirements are met including consultations with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and proper boundary reviews the PNP’s spokesman on Portmore Affairs and one of the claimants in the case hailed the court’s order as a victory for justice and accountability “The court has affirmed what we have consistently maintained: the Government was attempting to move forward in blatant breach of the constitutional process,” Jackson said “The fact that the court has compelled the Government to give an undertaking – effectively halting their unlawful actions – demonstrates the seriousness of their disregard for due process.” Jackson also pointed to a letter sent to Parliament by the ECJ in June 2024 which raised concerns about the Government’s failure to comply with the Constitution “The Government’s disregard for both the commission’s warning and the rule of law left us with no choice but to seek judicial intervention,” he added stressing that the PNP would continue to hold the Government accountable and defend the sanctity of Jamaican law On the other side of the political spectrum the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has expressed strong support for the Government’s handling of the Portmore parish issue member of parliament for St Catherine East Central labelled the court ruling a “win for the people of Portmore and the Government of Jamaica” He emphasised that the parish status was a promise long championed by the Government and would bring significant benefits to the residents of Portmore and enhanced opportunities for local development “Parish status is something I have championed and this Government will continue to take the necessary administrative steps to deliver on this promise in keeping with the wishes of the people,” Terrelonge asserted He also dismissed the PNP’s legal challenge as a political move designed to disrupt the process calling it “premature” and accusing the Opposition of lacking vision for Portmore’s growth Despite the political claims of both parties the legal issue at hand revolves around the potential constitutional breaches that could result from the premature enforcement of the Portmore parish law The PNP has raised concerns that implementing the law without proper constituency boundary adjustments could lead to “widespread instability and electoral confusion” could violate constitutional provisions prohibiting the crossing of parish lines in constituency delineation At the heart of the dispute is Section 67 of the Jamaican Constitution which governs the process for changing constituency boundaries The PNP claims that the Government’s actions would lead to irreparable harm while the Government argues that the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act is a separate matter from constituency boundaries focusing solely on granting Portmore parish status The Government’s legal team argued that there was no intention to bring the Portmore parish law into effect until the constituency boundaries were settled the Government’s attorneys assured that no date had been set for the law’s enforcement had not revealed plans to bring it into operation This stance is in line with the Government’s claim that the law does not conflict with constitutional requirements for constituency boundary changes as it pertains to administrative matters rather than electoral ones the PNP remains steadfast in its belief that the law’s implementation would violate the Constitution potentially causing significant disruption to the political landscape argued that moving forward with the legislation could lead to “potentially irreparable constitutional breaches” and destabilise local governance structures which could be subjected to electoral confusion if the law is found unconstitutional warning that the proposed boundary changes could have a detrimental impact on the constitutional provision prohibiting the crossing of parish lines in constituency boundaries The ECJ’s concerns are particularly focused on the potential for the new Portmore parish boundary to affect four constituencies and hundreds of polling divisions across St Catherine the Government maintains that it has been in regular contact with the ECJ to resolve these issues Former ECJ Chairman Professor Errol Miller has weighed in on the legal complexities the earliest Portmore could gain parish status is February 2026 This is due to the strict constitutional timelines for reviewing constituency boundaries every four years following the last general review Miller noted in an opinion published on his blog earlier this month the PNP and the Government are preparing for a protracted fight over the Portmore parish law which has sparked fierce debate about constitutional integrity tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. The Government has dismissed the Opposition’s suggestion that the move to establish Portmore as the nation’s 15th parish is purely political and is accusing the People’s National Party (PNP) of opposing the matter without just cause “There is no justification that they have put forward as to why Portmore should not become the 15th parish,” said Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie “It is clear that the PNP feels that if they are not the ones who are doing it and we are not going to be distracted by any mischief and propaganda that they are making about the Government’s decision,” he added while addressing a press conference following yesterday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament the Government used its majority to push through legislation in the House of Representatives which amends the Counties and Parish Act of 1867 would give the community status as the first new parish in 150 years the opposition spokesman on Portmore affairs had labelled the development an attempt at political manipulation during the debate on the bill He accused the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of using the new parish designation to solidify political control during an earlier press conference following the Parliament’s opening calling it a “retrograde” and “anti-democratic” step “The message is that we abhor this attempt to gerrymander their way out of the consequences of the will of the people as expressed in the February 2024 local government election This is what this legislation passed in the House on Tuesday seems to do,” he said reiterated that the party will reverse the parish status if it forms the next Government and will go back to the people with a proper consultation process to see how they want to proceed Regarding the party’s legal challenge of the legislation Golding said the party was conducting the necessary research before filing a claim explained that it was a commitment in the JLP’s manifesto and has nothing to do with the outcome of the pending election “It’s a commitment that was put to the people and the people voted unanimously in support of the position to make Portmore the 15th parish and I want to make the point that it is solely on political grounds that the Opposition is placing their concerns,” he added Addressing a question about the role played by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) in parish boundaries McKenzie said Parliament has no authority to establish political boundaries as this is the responsibility of the ECJ which the PNP is failing to make to the country that there can be no gerrymandering of the political boundaries at the level of the ECJ because on that commission sit both members of the JLP and the PNP It is their responsibility to set political boundaries,” he said the Government will not be distracted by any “mischief and propaganda” that is being made about the Government’s decision Noting that the bill was first tabled in 2016 he said several consultations and discussions were had and that even the municipal corporation had made submissions in writing the argument being bandied about going to a referendum and a lack of consultation has no merit “I want to nonsense this political argument because if the intent was to use it as a political tool we could have done so before the holding of the local government elections.” McKenzie said the PNP’s criticism is simply a political ploy They have no response to the programmes of the JLP and we are not going to allow them to destroy what we have built since 2016 because they were there and they could not have done anything better than what we are doing,” he stated The minister said the PNP has done nothing to improve the lives of the people of Portmore and has nothing to boast about but wants to continue “to hold the people of Portmore in chains” when asked about the amenities that will be provided for Portmore said he would provide details during his sectoral presentation but explained that the only requirement for a parish is a court has described the tabling and passage of the bill as a historic moment for the people of Portmore “When we speak about the growth and development of Portmore that is fundamental to why it must become the 15th parish Portmore’s population surpasses the population of three or four other parishes “When you speak about the tax brackets of Portmore residents Portmore residents are some of the most highly tax-compliant residents across Jamaica More than 94 per cent of Portmore residents are tax-compliant This tax must stay in Portmore for your benefit,” he added “The only notion of gerrymandering is the one that is coming from the Opposition.” which would be corrected by giving Portmore parish status includes the fact that there are councillors in Portmore who are tied to Spanish Town and also that there are persons who are living in Spanish Town who are a part of his constituency but cannot participate in the election for Portmore mayor View the discussion thread. Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas is to be interviewed by the police today and could face criminal charges for alleged assault This stems from a melee that broke out at a public consultation at the headquarters of the municipality in February over the move to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish Senior defence attorney Anthony Williams confirmed that he will accompany the mayor to a question-and-answer session with police investigators today the mayor was asked by the police to “come to the station to give his side of the story” “They may or they may not,” said the source when asked if the police had indicated whether charges would be filed against Thomas who was elected on a People’s National Party (PNP) ticket The public consultation ended prematurely following a verbal clash between supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the PNP The police had to be called to restore order appears to show the Portmore mayor grabbing a yellow placard from a woman the Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central who attended the meeting and who represents the JLP was also heckled by PNP supporters while he attempted to answer a question posed by a resident "Shame on you!" a group of PNP supporters shouted at Terrelonge View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. the former chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is warning that there will be dire consequences for the electoral system in Jamaica if general elections due later this year are held with Portmore included as a parish despite constituency boundary breaches now in place weighing in on the controversy surrounding the decision by the Government to increase the number of parishes in Jamaica from 14 to 15 said the decision was sound and reasonable that despite the passing of legislation in Parliament the earliest Portmore could become a parish is 2026 he said having read carefully the Act to Amend the Counties and Parishes Act which was used to declare the City Municipality of Portmore the 15th parish of Jamaica and connected matters he was offering the following unsolicited position “There is sound and reasonable justification for increasing the number of administrative units into which Jamaica is divided from 14 to 15 best qualifies to become the 15 parish,” he stated in a blog post on the site “The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has done its duty as set out in The Electoral Commission Interim Act 2006 by advising the Ministry of Local Government concerning boundary violations that will occur if the existing constituency and polling division boundaries that now define the Municipality of Portmore are unchanged in establishing the Parish of Portmore.” voted by majority for the municipality to become a parish it remains unclear if despite the amendment of the act and vote and passage into law by both Houses of Parliament whether the country legally has 15 parishes The parliamentary opposition has accused the Government of gerrymandering which means the manipulation of the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favour one class or political party while other interest groups have complained about not only the process but what they consider the lack of proper consultation Miller said: “If there is compliance with the Constitution of Jamaica then the earliest time that Portmore can become a parish is February 2026 This is because the Constitution of Jamaica is pellucidly specific as to when electoral boundaries must be changed which is during a two- to four-year period of general review (which is) four years after the last period of general review The last general review ended in February 2022.” noting that Jamaica would be pushed into a constitutional crisis if the Government ignored the advice of the ECJ “Should the Government decide to use its majority on the Standing Committee of Boundaries of Parliament and its majority in Parliament to ignore the advice of the Electoral Commission to violate the Constitution with respect to breaches of constituency boundaries and to hold a general election which includes the parish of Portmore then the following will happen,” he wrote “The country will immediately be pushed into a major constitutional crisis What would not be in question would be that a general election would have been held with identified violations of constituency boundaries by the competent authority with no compelling urgency for so doing The time for the court to rule on the matter and the remedy if the court rules such action unconstitutional is moot,” he declared Should an election be conducted with the issues at stake the ECJ “will certainly become a façade when another breach of the convention is added to the fiasco of making the Electoral Commission the political ombudsman” the ECJ “may as well be downgraded from being a commission of the Parliament to a department of government” Miller said he believed “widely recognised gains made since 1979 by Jamaica as an authentic and stable democracy will be put at grave risk” and that “this is likely to have long-term negative and even dire consequences for Jamaica and Jamaicans at home and abroad” on the availability of time to include Portmore as a parish in the next general election mirror those of former Director of Elections Orette Fisher Fisher said that given constitutional requirements there was not enough time to amend legislation for Portmore as a parish to be a factor in the upcoming general election erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. Minister with responsibility for the environment has commissioned an urgent multi-agency investigation into what he has described as the "troubling" discovery of 10 dead adult crocodiles at the Greater Portmore Sewage Ponds in St Catherine Samuda said he has requested an investigative tour of the facility within the next 36 hours Describing the situation as “heartbreaking” Samuda emphasised the Government’s commitment to uncovering the cause and implementing immediate corrective measures “It is an absolutely heartbreaking situation I do intend to tour the area over the next 36 hours to see what infrastructure is required to either keep wildlife out of the drain ponds or to ensure that they're able I intend to carry the relevant experts from NEPA (National Environment and Planning Agency) and other animal experts [wildlife protection officers] to look at what needs to be done in that regard” He said the Government views the incident with the utmost seriousness and remains committed to transparency every effort will be made to implement sustainable solutions that protect the country’s wildlife and preserve the integrity of our natural ecosystems," he said The Jamaica Observer has reported that four crocodiles were found dead in the two barren sewage ponds in Hellshire on Thursday following the discovery of six on Tuesday View the discussion thread. A public consultation over the move to make Portmore into a parish ended prematurely on Tuesday evening as supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) verbally clashed at the city municipality's headquarters "Shame on you!" a group of PNP supporters shouted at Alando Terrelonge the JLP Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central constituency He was earlier heckled by PNP supporters while addressing a resident's question A video also shows PNP Mayor Leon Thomas grabbing a yellow placard from a woman The event was organised by the municipality the MP for St Catherine South Eastern was also at the meeting the Government used its majority in the House of Representatives to approve a bill to make Portmore into Jamaica's 15th parish formally severing it from St Catherine parish claiming it's an act of "political gerrymandering" to secure Terrelonge's seat strengthen the JLP's chances in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation and undo unfavourable results from last year's local government elections The change would end the direct election of Portmore's mayor Councillors from Portmore would also no longer sit in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation "If the Labour party tink seh it ago guh so we ago block up the whole a Jamaica and tek it to the street because the wishes of the people must be observed," declared Dr Dayton Campbell He has accused the JLP of using Parliament to "steal" the elections The Government has rejected the allegations insisting that the move is to give effect to the wishes of the residents of Portmore "It is clear that the PNP feels that if they are not the ones who are doing it and we are not going to be distracted by any mischief and propaganda that they are making about the Government’s decision,” argued Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie JLP MP and then Cabinet Minister Everald Warmington argued that the expected boundary shift in Portmore would create a stronghold for the JLP in Terrelonge's constituency ...it means that under no circumstances PNP can ever win the St The Portmore parish bill proposes to exclude the communities of Lakes Pen all areas of the Portmore Pines division in Terrelonge's constituency "We have the boundary that we wanted all along," he said Political boundaries are determined by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica on which both parties have representatives Former Director of Elections Orette Fisher said he does not anticipate any changes before the general election due by September The Portmore bill is to be debated in the Senate next - Ruddy Mathison contributed to this report View the discussion thread. Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas has strongly condemned what he described as the "disorderly and disruptive actions" of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters at Tuesday evening’s community consultation on the Government’s proposal to grant Portmore parish status a member of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) accused the JLP supporters of deliberately attempting to derail the meeting which was convened by the Portmore City Municipality The mayor also sought to explain why grabbed a placard from a woman including removing placards from the hands of those who were deliberately creating chaos My sole intention was to de-escalate a volatile situation and ensure that the meeting could proceed peacefully and constructively," he said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon I remain committed to upholding democratic engagement and respecting everyone’s right to express their views Thomas said the meeting was intended to provide residents with an opportunity to discuss the impending changes this important discussion was derailed when a group of JLP supporters wearing green shirts bearing the names and images of MPs Alando Terrelonge and Robert Miller chanting ‘showa Labourite,’ and attempting to hijack the proceedings.” Terrelonge and Miller are from the ruling JLP The PNP says they oppose the process being used which was held at the municipality's headquarters descended into chaos as supporters from both parties clashed verbally prompting police intervention to restore order The event took place against the backdrop of growing political tensions over the Government’s move to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish The legislation was approved in the House of Representatives last week which has labeled the move as an act of “political gerrymandering.” In a post on social media site X this morning Terrelonge said: "All the propaganda in the world can't change the fact that there are no negatives to Portmore becoming a Parish They can't disrupt the future of Portmore for their own political gimmicks He was also heckled while responding to a question from a resident The PNP has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed changes with party general secretary Dr Dayton Campbell declaring Sunday that they would “block up the whole a Jamaica and tek it to the street” in response to what he called an attempt to “steal” the local government elections The Government has rejected allegations of gerrymandering arguing that the bill reflects the wishes of Portmore residents Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie insisted that the PNP’s objections were politically motivated and would not distract from the Government’s agenda Mayor Thomas said the municipality would organise more discussions on Portmore’s future View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. Scores of residents took to the streets this morning to protest the government’s decision to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish led by key members of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) caused a traffic snarl along Dawkins Drive Among the protest leaders were Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas PNP spokesman on Portmore affairs Fitz Jackson and several councillors from both municipalities chanted slogans such as “No consultation no parish,” voicing their frustration over what they say is a lack of public engagement in the decision-making process passed a bill to amend the Counties and Parishes Act of 1867 to establish Portmore as Jamaica’s newest parish The bill now moves to the Senate for approval before becoming law This marks the first time in 150 years that a new parish has been created in Jamaica a move that has sparked heated debate among residents and local officials While the government argues that parish status will provide greater autonomy and resources for Portmore critics insist the decision should have involved more public consultation all eyes are on the Senate’s next move and whether continued opposition from residents and PNP leaders will influence the final outcome View the discussion thread. The police are probing the death of a man who was found bleeding on his bed inside his home in Portmore The deceased has been identified as 37-year-old labourer Andre Hyman of Smith Avenue in Newland Hyman was found lying on his back in his bed at home The Bridgeport Criminal Investigation Branch is leading the probe into the circumstances surrounding his death View the discussion thread. A man was charged on Monday in connection with a series of house break-ins and robberies in Portmore otherwise called ‘Kemar Jones’ and ‘Steven Segal,’ is charged with three counts of house breaking and larceny Reports from the Waterford police are that between December 2024 and January 2025 He was subsequently charged following a caution statement and a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney View the discussion thread. passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act which seeks to grant parish status to the Portmore City Municipality Minister of Local Government and Community Development said this is the first time in the history of post-colonial Jamaica that a new parish is being created He noted that parishes are the main unit of local government in Jamaica having been created following the English settlement of the country in 1655 The Minister informed that there were originally seven parishes and by early 1867 that number increased to 22 adding that it was reduced by law in 1867 to create 14 parishes we are beginning the process of giving formal recognition and further empowerment to the people of the largest community in the Caribbean,” Mr the civic and the practical developmental opportunities that will allow Portmore to achieve this outstanding milestone,” he added The Minister further noted that passage of the Bill would increase the economic social and political opportunities for the people of Portmore “This Administration diligently worked to change the total architecture of Jamaica into a fully modern economic social and political country that our people here and abroad are proud to live in and proud to refer as their own,” he said Among the key provisions of the Bill is the official designation of Portmore as a parish and Quarry Hill from the Parish of Portmore The legislation also provides for the creation of a map for the parish of Portmore and a description of the city said with Portmore becoming the 15th parish it has the capacity to chart its own affairs while adding that the “people of Portmore deserve quality representation” the legislation will now go to the Senate for its approval Get the latest news & updates from the JIS sent to your inbox.