KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed  concern about the selection of Kedesha Campbell, who previously filled the role of personal assistant to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, as the new head of the Constituency Development Fund Management Unit.

Campbell was recently appointed to replace former CDF head Noveta Munroe effective May 1, 2018.

The CDF’s main goal is to promote human and infrastructure development at the community and constituency levels through the establishment of sustainable development projects.

“We are concerned that Ms Campbell’s partisan affiliation and allegiance to the JLP-led administration could interfere with the operations of the CDF unit as it appears on the surface that the hiring process was abridged in favour of Ms Campbell,” said the PNP in a release today.

The PNP added that it is troubled by the appointment because it is not clear that due process was followed to fill the vacancy.

“Although Ms Campbell has a record of serving as the personal assistant to Prime Minister Holness and completed management-type courses as part of her skills development, they do not equate to the experience and balance required to lead a unit such as the CDF, which entails the handling of projects of various descriptions, submitted by Members of Parliament from both sides of political divide,” said the PNP.

The Opposition pointed out that it is not clear if the position was advertised, and everyone given equal treatment as is required to fill vacancies such as the position in question.  

“When and where was the vacancy advertised; and who were the persons shortlisted; and what were the deciding factors which gave Ms Campbell the advantage over the others?”

The PNP encouraged the government to take steps to ensure that the operations of the CDF unit is not “exposed to unnecessary partisan shenanigans” such as delays in project approval and unavailability of resources.