Robert Hart, Acting News Editor
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and popular singer Leroy Sibbles, belt out "I see the light come shining." This was one of the highlights of yesterday's 67th Annual Conference of the People's National Party, held at the National Arena. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson yesterday gave the most definitive timeline yet for his departure from representational politics when he disclosed that the nation will have a new prime minister by the start of the Budget Debate next April.
Addressing a jam-packed crowd of delegates and party supporters at the National Arena, Mr. Patterson said that after advising the party's National Executive Council (NEC) of the date for presidential elections, he would propose a transitional period to allow him to introduce the president-elect to several persons in the international community.
The Prime Minister, who received numerous tributes during yesterday's special session on the final day of the PNP's 67th Annual Conference, added that he would also take the new party president-elect with him on a farewell caravan across the island.
BUDGET DEBATE
"We going to do all of that in good time so that, by the time the next budget comes to be presented in Parliament, that person will lead the PNP up Duke Street and into Parliament," Mr. Patterson said to thunderous applause within the charged atmosphere of orange and red-clad 'comrades'.
The next Budget Debate takes place in April, after the end-of-March opening of the 2006/2007 Parliamentary year.
Mr. Patterson however made it quite clear that the election of a new party president would not take place until after the end of next month, when he expects to complete several tasks, including the contract signing for Segment Three of the North Coast Highway, from Ocho Rios, St. Ann to Port Antonio, Portland.
He said that, before leaving office, he would also order the design for the link between Highway 2000, at Bushy Park, St. Catherine and the North Coast Highway, at Ocho Rios.
The Prime Minister also said he would open the new sections of the Sangster and Norman Manley International airports, as well as approve the first bid for the much-vaunted Harmony Cove resort development in Trelawny.
