Terrelonge Questions Whether Mayor’s Role Should Be Prioritised Over Needs of Portmore Residents

Member of Parliament, MP, for East Central St Catherine, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Alando Terrelonge, is questioning whether the mayor’s role should be prioritised over the needs of residents in Portmore.

He was responding to concern that Portmore’s transition from municipality to parish would rob residents the right to vote directly for their mayor,

MP Terrelonge says the concern is misplaced.

The road to granting the municipality parish status has been met with criticism.

The most recent occurred on Monday when dozens of residents protested the government’s decision to push ahead with the plan without what they call proper consultations.

The Opposition People’s National Party has also insisted that it will take the government to court over the matter, citing gerrymandering.

But Mr Terrelonge says the transition to parish status is solely for the benefit of the people of Portmore.

Alando Terrelonge, MP for East Central St. Catherine.

He was addressing a civic ceremony in observance of the 141st anniversary of the birth of national hero Sir Alexander Bustamante in Hanover on Monday.