Civil groups adamant Easton Douglas-led NHT board should go

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
Civil society groups involved in the Partnership for Transformation have reaffirmed their calls for the Easton Douglas-led board of National Housing Trust (NHT) to be sacked.

The Governance Committee of the partnership met this morning less than 24 hours after the 51% Coalition, which is an alliance of women, women's organisations and partners, suspended its participation in the partnership.

In 2013, the Prime Minister signed the partnership agreement, committing to social dialogue around issues critical to the development of the nation.

However, that accord with various civil, religious and private sector groups is being threatened as some members allege the mishandling of the NHT's purchase of the Outameni property in Trelawny.

The Governance Committee, set up to manage disputes, called today's meeting with civil society representatives to arrive at a consensus.

A representative of the 51% Coalition, Nadeen Spence, says most groups were adamant at the meeting that the NHT board must go.

She says the positions articulated today will form the basis for a general meeting of the partnership involving Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller schedueld for December 16.

Simpson Miller has dismissed calls to sack the board and has accepted the explanation that the purchase was legal and within the NHT's mandate.

Meanwhile, speaking on Cliff Hughes Online earlier, Spence said it's not the intention of the women's groups to walk away from the partnership.

She says the partnership is critical to addressing national issues.

However, Spence says the alleged breaches must be corrected.