| Dennis Morrison QC to probe Bogue Lands issue |
| Observer Reporter Wednesday, October 01, 2003 |
FOUR months after the local government minister, Portia Simpson Miller, promised to probe the controversial Bogue Lands issue, Dennis Morrison QC was yesterday appointed to head the investigation. The attorney has been given until "early December 2003" to present his findings.
Simpson Miller announced the probe in July after allegations of impropriety surrounding the sale and lease of prime real estate lands on the outskirts of Montego Bay.
"The attorney-at-law will conduct his investigations guided by terms of reference developed by the Ministry of Local Government and approved by the attorney-general's department," said a statement from the local government ministry late yesterday.
The land in question is owned by the St James Parish Council. For years, members of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party have alleged that the land was being parcelled out to supporters of the ruling People's National Party through the PNP-controlled council. The council launched an investigation and determined that the accusations were unfounded; but the issue resurfaced in the run-up to the June local government polls.