JLP Condemns Alleged PNP Leaked Voice Notes

The Jamaica Labor Party has condemned the leaked voice notes allegedly sent by members of the People's National Party (PNP) describing them as quote shameful and vile.

 

 

 

 

 

Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz said, “What is particularly shameful is that the audio reveals that despite the unprecedented natural disaster, which devastated hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans, and despite the PMP publicly lamenting that the recovery effort should be faster, the same PNP at the highest level at the level of their executive has been caught discussing delay tactics. And to make matters worse, a member of their executive confessed they would consider implementing delay tactics. As one of the first parliamentarians on the ground immediately after Melissa, I saw firsthand, what was happening. It broke my heart. Having seen that, I cannot comprehend why anyone would seek to delay restoration for political reasons.”

 

This response to alleged leaked messages from a PNP WhatsApp group. The recordings circulated on social media appear to suggest the PNP was prepared to use delay tactics against the newly formed National Resilience and Reconstruction Authority and to spread baseless allegations about its leadership.

 

One clip references Major General Anthony Anderson's appointment to head NaRRA with a PNP member heard discussing ways to undermine public confidence.

 

The clip said, “Bear in mind that the NaRRA Bill is what the JLP sees as its glory and its saviour for a fourth term and a fifth term or whatever. Speaking to some of them recently, some of the operatives, they see NaRRA as their way out to get back in tune with the Jamaican public, because they know they’re in a bad state with the public itself with the cost of living and everything. So, they see NaRRA as a saving grace and they're going to do everything in their power to try to get whatever done which means bypassing like all parish council which you know probably we do delay tactics and don't get it which is why they did it that way but safety standards and these things is a concern. So, let's play our ball game of politics.”

 

Minister Vaz said the remarks show disregard for Jamaicans recovering from Hurricane Melissa, accusing the opposition of playing politics with people's livelihoods.

 

He said, “This despicable behaviour by the PNP is most disgraceful but not surprising because we have seen these tactics implemented by the PNP before. Not long ago, they tried it with the Rural School Bus System. The PNP executive members commitment to continue playing ball game of politics concerning NaRRA is downright scandalous. This is particularly troubling especially for me coming on the heels of the apology by the general secretary of the PNP and to realize that that apology, obviously, was not genuine because they continue to plot to undermine and to bring people's reputation into disrepute.”

 

The PNP has not issued a formal response to the claims.