The People’s National Party (PNP) has commended Mayor of Morant Bay Hubert Williams for his stance taken to boycott the opening of the Harbour View to Yallahs leg of the south coast highway, emphasizing the need to put the safety and well-being of the people of St. Thomas above politics.

The Harbour View to Yallahs leg of the highway, which is a part of the Southern Coastal Improvement Project (SCIP), officially opened on Tuesday (February 6).

However, Williams opted to boycott the grand opening, stating that the project is not yet completed.

“The PNP commends Mayor Williams’ bravery in standing up to a government that seems to prioritise political considerations over common sense, practicality, and the safety of the citizens. His steadfast refusal to participate in a rushed ceremony, which could potentially endanger the lives of Jamaicans due to incomplete road infrastructure, is a testament to his dedication to the well-being of the community,” the Opposition wrote in a recent statement.

According to the PNP, former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had created and approved a grand vision for the SCIP, which has been downscaled by the government.

They added that while they have compromised and accepted a smaller-scale project, “the people of St. Thomas should not be made party to a political pantomime of opening an incomplete road”.

“The people of St. Thomas deserve a government that prioritises their safety and comfort over political considerations. The PNP calls on the government to refocus its efforts on completing the Southern Coastal Improvement Project to the highest standards, ensuring the long-suffering people of St. Thomas can benefit from a safe and fully functional highway,” the Opposition further wrote.

Mayor Williams was also commended by the Opposition for piloting and passing the resolution to name the highway after National Hero Paul Bogle.