ST CATHERINE, Jamaica–Some Portmore residents are calling for the government to re-examine its move to pass a bill to make the municipality of Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish, arguing that they were not consulted in the process.

Several residents this morning gathered at Emancipation Park in New Kingston protesting what they say is a lack of consultation by the government before passing the legislation.

One resident who gave his name as Marsh is calling for the rollback of the legislation to facilitate communication with residents.

“It must roll back and if it doesn’t roll back, they’re going to see the real roadblock. Jamaica is going to lock down because the same way you do this to Portmore, you will be able to do it everywhere else. It can’t work like that. It can’t work. Roll it back, take it back or else,” he warned.

Marsh said he doesn’t have an issue with Portmore becoming a parish however argued that the move should be done after consultation.

“What we’re talking about this morning is the behaviour, the attitude of the government. If you want to turn Portmore into a parish, we don’t have a problem with it. But you can’t do it like that. We’re living in a democracy and a few of you in Parliament can’t just come together and decide to ram things down the people’s throats like that. If you want to turn Portmore into a parish, it should be put to the people and let the people decide what they are going to do,” said the resident who gave his name as Marsh.

“Right now, the government is on a roll and it’s pure robbery we see that they are dealing with. For example, at the start, the government rob Petrojam, after they rob Petrojam, they rob roadwork. Up to the naming of a road, they run and give it to a dead man called Edward Seaga. God bless him,” he added.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act 2025 to make the municipality of Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish.

The bill, which was piloted by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, was passed despite stiff opposition from the People’s National Party (PNP) which accused the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of gerrymandering while threatening court action.

READ: House passes bill to make Portmore a parish despite strong opposition from PNP