ST CATHERINE, Jamaica— Alando Terrelonge, member of parliament (MP) for St Catherine East Central has made an urgent call for legislation to be brought to parliament to make Portmore a parish, arguing that such a move would protect funds garnered from residents in the municipality.

The MP’s call comes amid the allegations of fraud at the St Catherine Municipal Corporation.

The Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) raided the corporation’s offices Thursday morning as part of a major fraud investigation.

It was the last of 17 locations raided by MOCA, according to Director of Communications at MOCA Major Basil Jarrett.

READ: MOCA agents raid St Catherine Municipal Corporation

In response, Terrelonge is insisting that by granting Portmore parish status it will ensure that funds generated from the municipality’s tax-compliant residents are reinvested into Portmore’s infrastructure and development, directly benefiting the residents and communities.

“This misuse of public funds has not only eroded public trust but has also denied Portmore’s residents the resources needed to build and grow their city,” Terrelonge said in a media release on Friday.

He added that with Portmore’s 12 councillors sitting in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, funds collected from residents such as property taxes and motor vehicle fees, are directed to St Catherine and redistributed across the parish. The MP said with over 90 per cent of Portmore’s property owners meeting their obligation— the highest in the country— resources are not being reinvested effectively into the municipality’s development.

He described this as “ridiculous” as he says the current situation hold’s Portmore’s future development hostage, adding that the mismanagement at the St Catherine Municipal Corporation has delayed critical projects that could have transformed Portmore.

“If Portmore were its own parish, these funds could be invested directly into improving local infrastructure, enhancing public services, and fostering economic growth,” Terrelonge argued.

“The current system has failed the people of Portmore. Billions in public funds have been lost to fraud, when that money could have been used to fix roads, expand the water network, and build vital infrastructure such as a hospital for Portmore,” the MP added.

There have been numerous demands to make Portmore a parish over the years. Terrelonge believes that the city is “uniquely positioned for self-governance”. He argued that with the population of the city and its active economic base, Portmore generates a significant portion of the revenue for St Catherine, but its residents continue to face inadequate infrastructure and public services.

“This is a matter of Portmore’s future development as a parish,” Terrelonge stressed.

“Portmore residents contribute significantly to Jamaica’s economy, but we are not reaping the benefits of our hard work. Parish status will ensure that the funds we generate stay here, supporting our people and driving our development.”

“With the right investments, Portmore has the potential to become a model of economic innovation and social progress. Portmore can be a beacon of what is possible for Jamaica, setting the standard for the rest of the nation,” Terrelonge said.