KINGSTON, Jamaica- Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western, the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Anthony Hylton, has suggested sabotage while describing as an injustice, the non-completion of the proposed Penwood Road Housing Scheme in Waterhouse in his constituency.

The idea for the scheme was first floated seven years ago to improve the housing stock in the community while providing more affordable housing for residents.

Hylton made the charge during his contribution to the 2024/25 State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He did not get to complete his presentation after he was shut down by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, for going over time.

Holness insisted she would “not grant a minute more” after Hylton’s time to speak was initially extended by five minutes to allow him to complete his presentation. Holness claimed she has been more lenient with Opposition members and was not prepared to extend such courtesies going forward.

When asked by Observer Online afterwards if he was citing sabotage, Hylton said “You’re correct”.

He pointed out that while the Penwood Road housing scheme has fizzled, three housing schemes have been either completed or are under construction in the neighbouring constituency of St Andrew West Central, the Prime Minister’s constituency.

About the stalled Penwood development he alleged: “It is now close to seven years since the last announcement was made. Meanwhile, at least three housing schemes commenced in the nearby constituency, with at least one completed and another at a very advanced stage of development. For the Penwood Road proposed project, significant design and structural engineering work was done, and consultation held with the community residents concerning the project, involving persons making National Housing Trust contributions and others, with independent sources of income from within the community, and from relatives and friends living in the Diaspora”.

Hylton outlined that after at least four rounds of meetings with the Housing Agency of Jamaica, its technical and managerial staff, “we were finally told no funds were available to implement the project as conceptualised. No alternative approaches were offered and no timeline given as to whether or if, the project would be revisited. End of story!”

“I am told that this experience is not an isolated one and too often, critically needed projects, which are needed to stabilise communities like Penwood Road, are jettisoned for reasons other than their viability, and communities are left to wonder why, how come? Especially, as in this case, where the adjoining community with similar socio-economic profile is seen to be benefitting from several Government-sponsored or enabled projects,” he added.

According to Hylton, “The residents of Waterhouse have drawn their own conclusion as to the nature of the injustice that has occurred in this instance. I have assured them that the next PNP administration will fix it, sooner rather than later”.