JLP condemns alleged PNP voice notes on NARA delay tactics

The Jamaica Labour Party has condemned leaked voice recordings allegedly linked to members of the People's National Party, branding the material "shameful and vile."

Clips circulating on social media, presented as messages from a PNP WhatsApp group, appear to show opposition figures discussing delay tactics aimed at the newly formed National Resilience and Reconstruction Authority and floating unfounded claims about its leadership. The JLP said the recordings suggest readiness to slow NARA's work even as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa, which affected hundreds of thousands of people, and despite the PNP's public calls for a faster rebuild. According to the governing party, a member of the PNP executive admitted considering such delay tactics.

One clip refers to Major General Anthony Anderson's appointment to head NARA, with a PNP participant heard discussing how to weaken public confidence in that leadership.

In passages attributed to the leaked audio, a speaker described the NARA legislation as something the JLP views as central to its prospects for further terms in office, saying ruling-party operatives see the authority as a way to reconnect with voters amid cost-of-living pressures. The speaker suggested that bypassing parish councils could invite delay tactics and framed the stance as political manoeuvring, while raising safety standards as a concern.

Minister Vaz said the remarks showed disregard for Jamaicans still recovering from Hurricane Melissa and accused the opposition of playing politics with people's livelihoods. He said he was among the first parliamentarians on the ground after the storm and that what he saw left him unable to understand why anyone would seek to slow restoration for political reasons.

"This despicable behavior by the PNP is most disgraceful, but not surprising, because we have seen these tactics implemented by the PNP before," Vaz said. He cited an earlier episode involving the rural school bus system and called the alleged commitment by PNP executive members to keep "playing ball game of politics" over NARA "downright scandalous." He also said the matter was especially troubling so soon after an apology from the PNP's general secretary, which he argued was not genuine given continued efforts to undermine reputations.

The People's National Party had not issued a formal response to the claims.