Ann-Marie Vaz hits back at Golding

Member of Parliament (MP) for Portland Eastern Ann-Marie Vaz has taken People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding to task over criticism he made against her regarding the state of murders in the parish.

Addressing a divisional conference of the PNP on Wednesday, Golding lamented the rise in homicides in the parish and accused Vaz of being silent and doing little to address the issue.

In a media release yesterday, Vaz said: “PNP President Mark Golding, who is member of parliament for the PNP political garrison that is a central part of the division which sits at the top of the crime statistics for murder, shootings and other violent crimes, should know better than using commentary on the long-standing national problem of criminality as a springboard to scratch for relevance and revive his dismal political fortunes.”

Vaz said that it was interesting to note that the St Andrew South Division in which the PNP president’s constituency fell led the country with 92 murders so far this year. She said this was 800 per cent more murders when compared to Portland East and West, “yet Golding has found it within himself to play politics with crime”.

However, Golding’s constituency falls within the Kingston West Police Division and not St Andrew South Police Division.

In fact, Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ St Andrew West Central constituency and Dr Peter Phillips’ St Andrew East Central constituencies fall within the St Andrew South Police Division.

The Portland East MP said she welcomed efforts by the police to probe any act of criminality committed in the parish, along with general efforts to keep various communities safe.

According to Vaz, the loss of even one life was of great concern to her. Vaz said that since she became MP, she has been in consistent dialogue with residents and the police to ensure that peace prevailed in the parish.

“A percentage increase analysis would suggest widespread lawlessness in the parish of Portland,” said Vaz, noting that the parish had a record of low incidents of crime. “So one murder would equate to a 25 per cent increase. The 11 murders so far this year across the entire parish of Portland is the third lowest in Jamaica and we still think it is too high.”

The Portland East MP pledged to continue supporting the police in their efforts and urged all her constituents to ensure that Portland’s reputation be safeguarded as one of the most peaceful places in Jamaica.