SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A prominent businessman here has levelled sharp criticisms at the People’s National Party (PNP), questioning the Opposition party’s historical contribution to the parish that has long been considered its stronghold.

Speaking at a Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce general meeting last Thursday, Roger Allen argued that while the western parish has remained loyal to the PNP for decades, it is the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration that is currently delivering major infrastructure projects.

“The people of Westmoreland, over the years, have always supported the People’s National Party. Whichever way you look at it, the majority of the time the people of Westmoreland support the People’s National Party.

“I don’t have a problem with the prime minister not paying us a lot of attention — that’s the norm. What I have a problem with is when the PNP is in power, Westmoreland, who is always loyal, doesn’t seem to be benefiting from the PNP [being] in power,” argued Allen.

The general meeting, which was held at Hotel Commingle in Savanna-la-Mar, featured a PNP delegation led by party president, Mark Golding. During the question-and-answer session Allen supported his assertions with examples.

“The Ferris to Mackfield highway: Roger Clarke went to Kingston, cried a lot of times for it, it was done under the JLP. We turn to Darliston, it was done under the JLP. The biggest police station being built anywhere in Jamaica is being done under the JLP in the parish of Westmoreland. Point out to me, and the PNP supporters here, what is the tangible development that has taken place by the PNP in Central Westmoreland?” the businessman questioned.

He also warned that the party could face further electoral consequences if it continues to take the parish for granted.

“Remember, we had the last election where the PNP stayed home…I’m not telling them to do it again [but] we have seen where every constituency in Westmoreland went to the JLP in the election before the last — it may happen again. And until the PNP, when they are in power, pay attention to the people of Westmoreland by tangible development, we’re going to see this happen. We have always been loyal, Mr Opposition minister, but we have not seen where our loyalty is paid off,” bemoaned Allen.

In defence of the party’s record Golding and his team highlighted several PNP-initiated projects. The party president noted that the development of Negril as a tourism hub was the original vision of Norman Manley. The Opposition spokesperson on productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness Peter Bunting argued that the Darliston water supply system was a PNP creation.

For his part, the Opposition spokesperson on trade, investment, and global logistics Anthony Hylton addressed the Ferris to Mackfield road directly. He said that while the JLP implemented the project, it was conceived and planned under the previous PNP Administration, before the 2016 change of government. Highlighting how governments work, Hylton said the project was funded and implemented by the JLP.

However, Allen remained unimpressed.

“That is the point I’m making: Where we will hear that it was the PNP who put it on the books; how many of us are interested in who put it on the books? We are interested in who makes it happen!” stated the businessman.

“You can ponder over that one, Mr Opposition leader…when you go in office — because you will go in office, no worry about it. All of you gentlemen that are sitting at the head table will get a next chance to be in office,” added Allen.

But ​Golding countered, suggesting that Allen’s perception lacks foresight.

“To say that you are not interested in how a project originates, you’re only interested in who executes is a bit short-sighted because you have to arrange, design — do all of the preparatory work, raise the finance — and then you do the construction. And, as it so happens in the case of that particular road, by the time it reaches that stage now where it’s just to engage a contractor and execute, [it] is the easy part,” suggested Golding.

“I understand that, but as a person who had gone with Roger Clarke into Kingston, who shed a lot of tears for that road, to see it being implemented under the JLP Administration is a very heartbroken one,” argued Allen, who stayed firm in his rebuttal to Golding’s comment.