JLP, PNP Supporters in Tense Trelawny Standoff

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) supporters were involved in a tense standoff and shouting match in Trelawny this morning over a piece of roadway recently repaired.

The one-kilometre stretch of road at Hyde near Clarks Town is in the North Trelawny Constituency, represented by Victor Wright. However, under an Electoral Commission of Jamaica-approved boundary change, the roadway and area will fall into the constituency of South Trelawny, represented by Marisa Dalrymple Philibert of the JLP.

Mr Wright and his supporters say it should be his task to see to the work being carried out because, as of now its still in his constituency. However, Mrs Philibert says she is the one who made representation for the work, knowing that the people of Hyde will be part of South Trelawny after the next elections. She was involved in getting the work done.

It was supervised by the National Works Agency (NWA) whose communications manager, Stephen Shaw was there today to explain why that stretch of road had been repaired. He said it cost $22 million dollars for drainage and surface work.

When Mr Wright and his supporters arrived near the works site, JLP supporters came out in numbers and said they had been told the PNP supporters were there to dig up the road. They vowed to prevent any such thing.

Mr Wright said he was not there to do that and said he should have been brought into the picture before the contract was given out. He said he was intending to tour the road to determine the scope of work.

Some JLP supporters objected and the two sides clashed verbally. There was no violence.