Despite previous and repeated objections from the parliamentary Opposition, the Government on Tuesday gave its clearest signal yet that it will make the municipality of Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish.

And it intends to do so before the general election that’s constitutionally due by September this year.

On Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie tabled the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act that will effectively give rise to the new parish once it is debated and passed in both Houses of Parliament.

The Bill proposes that the municipality of Portmore shall constitute one parish, under the name of the parish of Portmore and shall include Hellshire Hills and Goat Islands. Significantly, it excludes Lakes Pen, Grange Lane, Lime Tree Grove, and Quarry Hill, communities that traditionally vote for the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

The area of the new parish is as follows: starting at the point where the St Catherine and St Andrew parish boundary meets at Nelson Mandela Highway easterly along Fresh River; south-easterly and along Fresh River to where it meets Salt River/Duhaney River; south-easterly and along this river to where it enters Sandy Gully; southerly and along Sandy Gully to where it enters Hunts Bay and in a straight [imaginary] line from this point to where it meets the Portmore-to-Kingston toll road; south-westerly and along the coastline to the point where Salt Island Creek enters Galleon Harbour, including Goat Islands and all offshore islands, cays, and man-made and natural accretions within the territorial waters; Northerly and along Salt Island Creek and along the boundary between the constituencies of the current St Catherine South Central and St Catherine Southern to Salt Pond Road; northerly along Salt Pond Road where it meets the Portmore-to-Manchester toll road; north-easterly along the toll road to Nelson Mandela Highway; north-easterly along Nelson Mandela Highway to the starting point at the boundary with St Andrew at Fresh River.

Additionally, the area designated the City of Portmore shall include the lands east of North Arscot comprising the Portmore Municipal Corporation and the police station; lands south of Braeton Parkway, comprising the Inland Revenue Department and commercial entities, portions of Naggo Head and lands north of Braeton Road.

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.”

The PNP has long objected to parish status for Portmore, citing, among other things, inadequate infrastructure and amenities, such as a public hospital. However, the Government has countered that the nearby Spanish Town Hospital that is undergoing a major upgrade will adequately serve Portmore.

The PNP has also cited inadequate consultation with residents of the municipality.