Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Derron Wood, minority leader in the Portland Parish Council, has accused the body of tardiness and failing to uphold its mandate.

Wood's utterance came during the monthly sitting of the Portland Parish Council last week, where he chided directors of that municipal body for what he described as "double standard".

Wood made the charge after it was discovered that a site office for a water, drain, and sewerage pro-ject, is being constructed illegally.

"The Portland Parish Council is the watchdog for illegal construction that takes place in this parish. The local ministry of health, which is concerned about environmental issues, did not give approval for any such construction, and neither did this honourable council. This council, with all our building officers, is aware that no approval was given for any such construction, yet $130,000 was released by this council to demolish a container that was placed in a resident's yard."

upset councillor

The obviously upset councillor was making reference to a female resident, who reportedly placed a 40-foot container in her yard, but shortly after came under pressure from the council for failing to present a plan for its construction.

The council reportedly took the decision to demolish that construction after several failed attempts to get full cooperation from its owner.

In the meantime, Mayor of Port Antonio Benny White said he is aware of the construction and that documents for the construction of a site office at Bryans Bay are with the relevant officers of the council.