Key Takeaways
- Andrew Holness faces backlash for his delayed response to the Cooper’s Pen demolition, labeled a ‘humanitarian crisis.’
- He claims ignorance about the operation, but the public doubts his credibility given his tight control over government actions.
- The large police presence during the demolition suggests prior planning involving Holness and the Security Council.
- Holness’ history of demolitions raises suspicion about his involvement in Cooper’s Pen, leading the public to reject his statements.
- He expressed concern for affected families but insists he was unaware of the demolition until it occurred.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
History will remember Andrew Holness as the worst Prime Minister Jamaica has ever had. It took him almost five days to address the mass demolition in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny. He referred to the event as a “humanitarian crisis.” What prompted him to finally acknowledge that the demolition of more than twenty homes constitutes a humanitarian crisis?
On Friday, the silver-tongued Prime Minister stood before the Jamaican people and declared that neither he nor his ministers had prior knowledge of the operation. He also said the constituency’s member of parliament (MP) was unaware.
However, the people see right through his lies because they know that Prime Minister Holness micro-manages everything.
Moreover, the Cooper’s Pen demolition was an elaborate operation, supervised by a large police contingent. In fact, it is unlikely that so many police officers would be present for a single operation without prior discussions and planning at the Security Council level. That council includes Andrew Holness and Horace Chang.
To further demonstrate that Prime Minister Holness lied about his knowledge of the Cooper’s Pen demolition, one must consider an additional fact. If the operation were conducted by a private entity, there would not have been so many police officers present. Instead, there would likely have been private security personnel. They would have been accompanied by a few police officers to maintain peace.
So, given that Andrew Holness has a history of demolishing homes, there is no doubt that he facilitated the Cooper’s Pen demolition. Bernard Lodge in St. Catherine is still fresh in our minds. Therefore, the public should reject his lies.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of police cannot sign off on an operation unless the Security Council agrees.
Andrew Holness claims ignorance about the Coopers Pen demolition operation.
Addressing the controversial demolition operation on Friday, Andrew Holness,the snake-oil salesman pretended to care. Here is some of what he said.
“The images that we have seen are disturbing. My heart goes out to the families who have been dislocated,” the prime minister said.
“I see a particular image of a newborn and the mother being displaced.”
Holness said he was surprised when informed of the demolition early that morning. He immediately ordered state resources mobilized to assist the affected residents.
“I had no prior knowledge of it, nor did any of our ministers, certainly not the member of parliament,” Andrew Holness said.