KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Caucus in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is demanding the immediate resignation of People’s National Party (PNP)  Councillor Jesse James Clarke as the party’s  junior spokesman on water.

The JLP’s call follows what it describes as Clarke’s “reckless and dangerous” spread of misinformation regarding the country’s water supply. The caucus argues that Clarke has been making false claims about Jamaica’s water quality, which it maintains is of a high standard.

“The reason that water is treated at the source is to remove contaminants,” said Councillor Beverly Prince [JLP, Cassia Park Division].

“Clarke’s suggestion about major contaminants in the water supply has been rejected as patently false. His unfortunate approach aligns with the Mark Golding-led PNP’s apparent preparedness to burn Jamaica to the ground in their desperate bid to rule over ashes.”

The JLP Caucus also criticised Clarke’s statements, suggesting they may be politically motivated and intended to cause public panic. Prince further alleged that some senior PNP members stand to benefit financially if consumers switch en masse to bottled water.

“For the councillor to be making statements about the safety of water from an uninformed position is extremely reckless,” Prince added.

“I urge the public to discern these statements and be reminded that the NWC [National Water Commission] and the Ministry of Health have repeatedly refuted the claims of Mr Clarke and the PNP.”

Prince reassured the public that the NWC remains in compliance with both Ministry of Health and Wellness guidelines and international standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The JLP Caucus also questioned whether Clarke’s statements on water were meant to distract from unanswered questions surrounding the PNP/KSAMC scandal.