KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Robert Montague has dismissed allegations of a farm road scandal, and categorised Opposition leader Dr Phillip’s as a man that cannot be trusted with the welfare of Jamaicans.

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) this week claimed that the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) inappropriately spent $1.6 billion on a de-bushing programme in the St Thomas.

The St Mary Western Member of Parliament made the remarks moments ago in his address during the public session of the JLP’s 76th annual general conference at the National Arena.

Montague accused the PNP of being “in desperate haste to have an election,” but said Prime Minister Andrew Holness would not call an election until the party is ready.

“The party is looking good, in good hands. But Governments don’t win elections. Parties win election. We nuh deh pon nuh haste. Some people are in desperate haste to have an election — we call them desperados. Only one man can call election…not until the party is 100 per cent ready and we are not there yet. We listen to you the delegates of the party to ensure the right person goes to the right seat. We are looking for winners,” he stated.

The conference is expected to be the final one before the general elections, which are constitutionally due by 2021.

Read more: JLP all set for 76th conference

The JLP clipped the PNP by a single seat in the February 2016 elections, then went on to extend the lead after grabbing two “safe” rural constituencies from the Opposition party in by-elections.

– Alphea Saunders