Jamaica
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Opposition calls press conference to explain voting against SOE extension

Amid growing criticism in some quarters over its decision not to support an extension of the States of Public Emergency, the Parliamentary Opposition has called a press conference for today to explain its decision.

In a release yesterday, the People's National Party said party leader Mark Golding will share the reasons the Opposition did not vote for the extension of the States of Emergency (SOE).

It says he will make proposals on a more effective approach to combating crime and violence in Jamaica without infringing on the rights and freedoms of its people.

The Opposition drew the ire of the Government on Friday when its members in the Senate refused to give the Holness Administration the two-thirds majority needed to extend the SOEs.

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Keith Duncan, expressed disappointment with the vote by the Opposition Senators.

He later urged Government to work with the Opposition to craft a response to the country's crime problem.

Private sector interests had called for Opposition senators to support the SoEs as the most effective short term measure to bring down the crime rate, especially during the Christmas holiday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said the government will continue to use all available tools necessary to maintain the safety of Jamaicans, in the absence of SOEs.

The SOEs which were declared in several parishes two weeks ago come to an end on Tuesday, November 29.

Meanwhile, Political Commentator Shalmon Scott has warned that there is no political advantage for either political party over who has the correct prescription for solving the country's crime problem.

Mr Scott is urging the political leaders to join forces to tackle the crisis.