Portmore parish boundary dispute remains unresolved, Fitz Jackson says

St. Catherine Southern Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson says the controversy surrounding Portmore’s proposed parish boundaries remains unresolved because of continuing questions about constitutional compliance, political representation and public consultation.

During an interview on TVJ’s Smile Jamaica, Jackson said the Government used its majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate to approve the relevant legislation and advanced it for assent by the governor-general. He said the matter later encountered a legal obstacle after it was challenged in court.

According to Jackson, the Electoral Office of Jamaica had advised the Government from an early stage that its chosen boundaries would conflict with the Constitution. He said the legal action did not primarily oppose establishing Portmore as a parish, but challenged the method being used to create it.

Jackson alleged that the proposed arrangement would alter parliamentary boundaries to benefit East Central St. Catherine, which is represented by Minister Terrelonge, while separating Portmore from the remainder of St. Catherine.

He noted that Portmore and the wider St. Catherine area currently operate with two municipalities inside one parish, unlike the Corporate Area arrangement involving one municipality across Kingston and St. Andrew. He attributed Portmore’s structure to its population and administrative demands.

Jackson said the court agreed that the proposed process would breach the Constitution and issued an injunction, effectively requiring the authorities to correct the boundary problems. He added that Parliament’s boundaries committee, chaired by the House speaker, subsequently instructed the EOJ to develop a constitutionally compliant proposal.

However, he argued that the EOJ is now being asked to recommend constituency boundaries for a proposed parish that has not yet been legally established.

Addressing the People’s National Party’s position, Jackson said the party was not automatically opposed to parish status for Portmore. He maintained that residents must be extensively consulted before the municipality is changed and that their preference should determine the outcome.

Jackson also said Portmore residents created the municipality, while the former PNP administration listened to them and facilitated their proposal. A Jamaica Labour Party representative was not available during the segment to respond to his claims.