Government Passes Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill 2025

Senate Passes Bill to Make Portmore 15th Parish

The Andrew Holness administration used its superior numbers in the Senate to pass the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill 2025, which would make the town of Portmore in the central parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica’s 15th parish, amid strenuous objections from senators with the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and warnings that the legislation would “immediately be unconstitutional.”

PNP Vows to Challenge and Repeal Bill

The PNP also reiterated that the Bill will be challenged and possibly repealed under a future PNP Government.

Bill Details

The Bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives on February 11, was piloted on Friday by the Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. In the debate ahead of the vote, Opposition Senator Peter Bunting quoted from a letter from the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) Earl Jarrett, written on June 18, 2024, to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. The letter outlined that the proposed Portmore parish boundaries may negatively affect the boundaries of a constituency.

Prime Minister’s Response

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has moved to silence what he describes as “noise” surrounding the government’s decision. As he toured sections of Portmore on Friday, Holness said his administration had made every effort, including widespread public consultations, to engender a smooth and non-political transition to parish status. However, he said the parliamentary opposition remains intent on disrupting and challenging the process. “So it doesn’t matter what we do. The opposition would oppose it,” he contended. Noting that there are two types of people – those who “make things happen” and those who “prevent things from happening” – Holness suggested that his Jamaica Labour Party government is the former.

Conclusion

The passage of the Bill marks a significant step forward for the government’s plans to reorganize the country’s parish system. While the PNP has vowed to challenge and repeal the Bill, the government remains committed to its implementation.

FAQs

* What is the purpose of the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill 2025?
The Bill aims to make the town of Portmore in the central parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica’s 15th parish.
* What are the objections to the Bill?
Senators with the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) have raised concerns that the legislation is “immediately unconstitutional” and would negatively affect the boundaries of a constituency.
* How did the government respond to the opposition’s concerns?
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has moved to silence what he describes as “noise” surrounding the government’s decision, stating that his administration has made every effort to engender a smooth and non-political transition to parish status.
* What is the next step for the Bill?
The Bill will be challenged and possibly repealed under a future PNP Government, according to the PNP.