Golding proposes land and housing programme dubbed PORTIA

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has announced that a future People's National Party (PNP) administration will pursue a land and housing programme dubbed 'PORTIA' named in honour of Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first woman prime minister.

The party president told supporters on Sunday at the PNP's annual conference at the National Arena that 'PORTIA' is an acronym for Programme for Orderly Renewal and Transformation of Infrastructure in all Areas. 

He did not say how much the initiative will cost taxpayers.

"This programme will drive policies that 'Sista P' stood for - improving infrastructure in old housing schemes, tearing down zinc fences in communities and replacing them with concrete walls, completing the infrastructure and land titling for existing land tenure regularising schemes, and rolling our new ones to bring hope and decent living conditions in areas of social neglect," he said to applause from supporters.

He added: "Our beloved Sista P will smile as the next PNP government improves sidewalks for persons with disabilities, provides housing assistance to needy citizens, and beautifies communities where our people live."

Simpson Miller was also the first woman president of the PNP.

She retired from politics in 2017.

Some of Golding's other pledges:

- Next PNP government will make lands available to the National Housing Trust (NHT) for qualified contributors.

- End "extraction" of funds from the NHT for budget support.

- Comprehensive review of all laws relating to housing to find ways to make housing more affordable for all Jamaicans.

- Jovan Johnson

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.