Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central Alando Terrelonge has called on residents of Portmore to not be swayed by claims from the People’s National Party about the municipality becoming Jamaica’s 15th parish.

The MP, who has long advocated for Portmore parish status, welcomed the tabling of the bill that will facilitate the transition, in parliament on Tuesday.

But the move has once again not found favour with the opposition, as spokesman on Affairs Concerning Portmore Fitz Jackson, accused the governing Jamaica Labour Party of gerrymandering political boundaries in St. Catherine and Portmore.

Jackson said this transition will be resisted, even if the opposition has to challenge it in court.

In response, Terrelonge again stressed that there are several benefits to Portmore becoming a parish.

He chastised the PNP for objecting to Portmore’s parish status, due to fear of losing majority in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation.