Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says it is only a matter of time before Portmore becomes Jamaica’s 15th parish.

He made the statement at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)’s St. Catherine East Central Constituency Conference last evening.

Mr. McKenzie said the die has already been cast in the matter.

The decision to make Portmore a parish has been a contentious one, with the governing JLP claiming that the move will be beneficial.

However, the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has cited that the bill for parish status, which was passed in both Houses of Parliament, is a breach of the Constitution.

The party challenged the bill in court.

An injunction was granted in the matter, but the court later lifted it.

Parliament’s Constituency Boundaries Committee has since referred the matter to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ).

The ECJ is to attend the committee meeting on Wednesday to provide an update.