6 days ago
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Hundreds of supporters of the opposition PNP descended on Heroes Circle in the vicinity of the Finance Ministry on Monday to call for what they’re describing as good governance and institutional integrity.
This follows the recent appointment of Dennis Chung as Chief Technical Director of the Financial Investigations Division, FID.
The opposition is resisting his appointment, accusing him of bias and being unqualified.
Colliecia Wright reports.
It was not business as usual on Monday morning as hundreds of supporters of the PNP joined their party leadership outside the offices of the Ministry of Finance.
The protest started sometime after 9AM.
When our news centre arrived, a heavy security presence was observed, as comrades assembled.
Scores of PNP supporters were seen driving into the parking lot of Heroes Circle in cars, coaster buses and bikes.
They all gathered together with placards bearing anti government slogans.
A few of the placard messages personally attacked Dennis Chung.
There was a light shower of rain as the chants of the comrades rang out.
The jubilant comrades cheered as they saw party officials Mark Golding, Dr Dayton Campbell and Senators Peter Bunting and Donna Scott Mottley joining the crowd.
Former PNP President, Dr. Peter Phillips, and former PNP stalwart , Dr. Omar Davies, also made an appearance at the protest.
Employees of the Finance Ministry were seen observing the protest.
PNP General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, alleges that the requirements for the post of Chief Technical Director were changed to accommodate Chung’s appointment.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding took to the microphone, telling supporters that the appointment of Chung represented an erosion of good governance.
The PNP says they will not relent in their calls.
They have hinted at putting further plans in place if their concerns are not addressed.
Meanwhile, JLP supporters staged a counter-protest to the PNP on Wild Street in downtown Kingston on Monday.
And head of the Area Four Police, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, says both the protest and counter-protest held at National Heroes Circle in Kingston proceeded without incident.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, ACP Phipps described the crowd as being manageable.
ACP Michael Phipps, head of the Area Four Police.
The demonstrations drew scores of PNP members and supporters, who voiced their opposition to the appointment of Dennis Chung as Chief Technical Director of the Financial Investigations Division, FID.
In response, placard-bearing JLP supporters staged a counter-protest on Wilde Street in downtown Kingston.
They say their action is in defence of what they described as an unfair attack on the integrity and reputation of hard-working public servants.
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