Purkiss accuses NSWMA of bypassing her on Hanover Eastern projects

Western Bureau:

Andrea Purkiss, the member of parliament (MP) for Hanover Eastern, is taking the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to task, arguing that the entity is usurping her authority as the legitimate representative of the people.

Purkiss, a member of the People’s National Party (PNP) minority in Parliament, told The Gleaner this week that it has come to her attention that former MP Dave Brown has been involved in a project to clear garbage in her constituency. Brown is the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate she defeated in the 2025 general election.

According to Purkiss, she was notified by her constituents that Brown was recently seen in the Great River section of the constituency supervising clean-up work, which she was not informed about by the NSWMA.

“I immediately contacted the NSWMA manager, Mr [Mark] Jones, who told me that there is a Debris Management Committee in place, and that committee is responsible for the work being carried out,” said Purkiss.

She said that when she enquired of Jones who were the members of the committee and how they were selected, she was not given their names, but that of a person she could contact.

NOT GONE DOWN WELL

Purkiss said she was subsequently contacted by a woman, who apologised to her about not informing her about the formation of committee, while promising she would be kept in the loop going forward.

The overall situation has not gone down well with Purkiss, who is contending that some government agencies are seeking to bypass her as MP and are seemingly involved in arrangements with unelected individuals.

“I was not elected to be treated this way. The agencies have a way of communicating with unelected persons regarding things that are my responsibility as member of parliament,” said Purkiss. “The people of Eastern Hanover elected me to serve them, so the agencies must allow me to serve.”

Purkiss is also concerned about the awarding of contracts on the recommendation of unelected persons, including individuals who are not residents of the constituency.

“I believe projects being undertaken in the constituency should go to people in the constituency with the requisite competence, and not to outsiders,” she said. “The people in the constituency must be the ones to benefit from projects in the constituency. And, as their representative, I must be informed about these projects”.

When contacted about his reported involvement in the clean-up activities ongoing in the Great River area, Brown directed The Gleaner to the NSWMA.

“They are the agency responsible for hiring contractors,” he said, insisting that he would not be answering any questions. “They have several contractors all over the place, [so] speak to them and they will enlighten you.”

After speaking with Brown, The Gleaner was contacted by Sharnon Williams, community relations manager at the NSWMA, who sought to find out what information was needed from Brown. When she was told, she said she would have to make contact with the agency’s managing director, Audley Gordon, before she could provide any answers.

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