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The Opposition claims that the Bruce Golding led administration is showing political favouritism in the appointment of persons to key positions in Government Ministries and Departments.
Fingers are now being pointed at the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the Parliamentary Opposition, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters have been given various senior positions at the Ministry.
The matter was raised by former Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday.
In critiquing Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Tufton's budget presentation, Mr. Clarke warned the Minister to stop politicising the Ministry by hiring persons affiliated with the JLP.
"The Chairman of RADA (the Rural Agricultural Development Authority) Dr. Omer Thomas was a defeated JLP Candidate, the Executive Director of RADA was the campaign manager of Dr. Thomas and the Special Consultant to the Minister on public relations is the former NDM (National Democratic Movement) spokesperson on agriculture. Right now, the Minister has more advisors than farmers," said Mr. Clarke.
Government members did not take kindly to his statements and things got so rowdy that House Speaker Delroy Chuck was forced to intervene.
Rethink plans for Caymanas
Mr. Clarke also poured cold water on Industry Minister Karl Samuda's plan to turn sections of Caymanas in St. Catherine into an industrial park.
The former Agriculture Minister argued that land in that area is the most fertile in the island and urged Mr. Samuda to reconsider plans to use it for big industry.
"I would ask that (reconsideration be given) to any move to take that prime agricultural land which has irrigation and all that out of agriculture to put into that kind of operation."
In parliament last week, Mr. Samuda said 500 acres of land have been identified to house the Caymanas Economic Free Zone.
The facility will comprise clusters of assembly plants, agro-processing facilities, as well as pharmaceutical and software development companies.
The project is part of the government's plan to provide more jobs for hundreds of Jamaicans.
Fingers are now being pointed at the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the Parliamentary Opposition, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters have been given various senior positions at the Ministry.
The matter was raised by former Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday.
In critiquing Agriculture Minister Dr. Chris Tufton's budget presentation, Mr. Clarke warned the Minister to stop politicising the Ministry by hiring persons affiliated with the JLP.
"The Chairman of RADA (the Rural Agricultural Development Authority) Dr. Omer Thomas was a defeated JLP Candidate, the Executive Director of RADA was the campaign manager of Dr. Thomas and the Special Consultant to the Minister on public relations is the former NDM (National Democratic Movement) spokesperson on agriculture. Right now, the Minister has more advisors than farmers," said Mr. Clarke.
Government members did not take kindly to his statements and things got so rowdy that House Speaker Delroy Chuck was forced to intervene.
Rethink plans for Caymanas
Mr. Clarke also poured cold water on Industry Minister Karl Samuda's plan to turn sections of Caymanas in St. Catherine into an industrial park.
The former Agriculture Minister argued that land in that area is the most fertile in the island and urged Mr. Samuda to reconsider plans to use it for big industry.
"I would ask that (reconsideration be given) to any move to take that prime agricultural land which has irrigation and all that out of agriculture to put into that kind of operation."
In parliament last week, Mr. Samuda said 500 acres of land have been identified to house the Caymanas Economic Free Zone.
The facility will comprise clusters of assembly plants, agro-processing facilities, as well as pharmaceutical and software development companies.
The project is part of the government's plan to provide more jobs for hundreds of Jamaicans.
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