The opposition People’s National Party, (PNP) is calling on the church and other civil society groups to add their voices to the debate on the government’s move to make Portmore the country’s fifteenth parish.

The bill to grant Portmore parish status has been passed in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.

It will go next to the Governor General for assent.

However, the PNP objects to Portmore becoming a parish, claiming that the governing Jamaica Labour Party intends to gain from the move politically.

The p-n-p has also cited a lack of key infrastructure such as a hospital, as a reason Portmore is not worthy of parish status.

Speaking at a Townhall meeting in Portmore, last evening, PNP members vowed to continue their fight against the bill becoming law.

Spokesman with responsibility for matters concerning Portmore, Fitz Jackson also claimed that a former senior cabinet member wrote the proposed parish boundaries.

Alleging that the government has ill-intent in granting Portmore parish status, Mr. Jackson said human rights and civil society groups must break their silence on the matter.