MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors in St James have given qualified support to the government-ordered probe into the controversial Bogue Land issue, which, it was announced this week, will be conducted by Dennis Morrison, QC.

“It is a waste of money… It is a waste of time. (But) I am not saying I am opposed to it,” said Charles Sinclair, the JLP councillor who earlier this year conducted his own investigations at the site. “Things need to be disclosed and persons need to suffer penalty, so I will support it… I will co-operate in any way and provide any information that I have. And if there exists any sort of wrongdoing, I will be here to reveal it to the public.”

Four months ago, local government minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, announced that there would be an independent inquiry into the issue, after old allegations that Government-owned land was being doled out to supporters of the ruling People’s National Party.

The allegations, which have been bandied about for years, resurfaced in the run-up to June’s local government polls. During the furor, it emerged that those who illegally occupied the land included a relative of then sitting PNP councillor, Roxroy Barrett; as well as the brother of Derrick Kellier, the state minister for national security.

With those revelations, the JLP took the position that there was no need for an inquiry as the illegal landowners had been identified. The remedy, the opposition said, was to remove those illegal occupants who had put up only fences; and allow those who had put up structures to access the proper channels to purchase the occupied properties at the current market value.

They still hold to that position, but say they will not block any attempt at an independent probe.

Meanwhile Gerard Mitchell, the former Montego Bay deputy mayor and present PNP councillor for the Mount Salem Division who has long argued for the probe, has welcomed the minister’s decision.

“The naming of somebody to inquire into what happened out there is a step in the right direction and we hope that he (Morrison) will be able to get the support of everybody in terms of bringing to the public really what is the situation there,” he said. “I think it is the best thing that can be done in order to allow for transparency in terms of what happened at the Bogue Lands. There have been accusations by persons who seek to politicise what has been taking place out there, and who have given the impression that the council has colluded with persons to occupy the facility.”

Sinclair, meanwhile, said he had submitted his own report of what he observed on the lands following his investigations earlier this year.

“The minister can do what she wishes to do if that is the approach that she wishes to take. I have done what I have been requested to do,” he said. “I have submitted my report (to Montego Bay mayor Noel Donaldson). I am certain that my report is accurate. I submitted it about a week and a half ago and we are proposing to make it public by next week.”