FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Sherwood Content division, Fernandez ‘Bingy’ Smith, is urging the Government to reconsider what he has described as an “ill-conceived and very bad decision” not to accept the University of Technology’s (UTech’s) proposal for the use of the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

“I am calling on the Government to reconsider before it is too late… in the interest of political capital and expediency,” Smith said yesterday.

“As far as the interest of the people and the development of the parish of Trelawny is concerned, there could not be a better proposal for the stadium,” he added.

Citing the need to establish a western campus, UTech earlier this year submitted an elaborate proposal to Government for the use of the stadium as an education and sporting facility.

The plan was endorsed by a number of businessmen and politicians in Trelawny, including member of parliament for North Trelawny Dr Patrick Harris, JLP caretaker for North Trelawny Senator Dennis Meadows and former MP for North Trelawny Desmond Leaky.

Keith Russell, another former parliamentarian, also endorsed the proposal, as well as president of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dennis Seivwright.

But last month Minister of Sports and Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange disclosed that the Government would not approve the university’s proposal.

Yesterday Smith argued that UTech’s plan would bring prosperity and development to the parish and slammed those who are against the Government’s stance but are not speaking out against it.

“A lot of persons including politicians are concerned about it (the Government’s decision) but are afraid to speak out. They bury their heads in the sand… but I have to be on the side of the people without even being fearful of my political longevity,” he declared.