Portmore is one step closer to parish status after the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie on Tuesday tabled a bill to amend the Counties and Parishes Act in the House of Representatives.

When approved by the Parliament it will make the City Municipality of Portmore the 15h parish.

Of note is that the Municipality of Portmore shall constitute one parish, under the name of the parish of Portmore and shall include the Hellshire Hills and Goat Islands. It excludes Lakes Pen, Grange Lane, Lime Tree Grove and Quarry Hill. The parish capital will be Portmore similar to Kingston being the capital of Kingston.

According to the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, “This represents a historic milestone, as it will be the first time that a parish is being established in post-colonial Jamaica”.

“It is envisioned that the designation of parish status on the municipality will strengthen its lobbying capacity; empower its citizens to more independently chart the course of development (rather than being subject to the decisions being made for the parish of St Catherine, of which the municipality is currently a part); and facilitate the opportunity to autonomously manage any allocated resources”.