Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer 
Davies
FINANCE MINISTER, Omar Davies, whose run for president of the People's National Party (PNP) hit a bump in the road last week with the resignation of team manager Alston Stewart, says he is preparing to intensify his campaign for the remainder of the year.
"We're operating at the level of the delegates and we're hoping to have a major gathering of the delegates before the end of the year," Mr. Davies told The Sunday Gleaner Thursday.
He said that his campaign, despite the negative publicity around Mr. Stewart's return and resignation, has gathered some momentum and he and his team is looking forward to take the message to areas in which it is believed they are trailing.
MAJOR PRESENTATION
"We have been everywhere except Westmoreland and St. Thomas in terms of major presentation and we're going to deal with them," said Mr. Davies.
Mr. Stewart, who was at the centre of the furore at the National Solid Waste Manage-ment Authority (NSWMA) earlier this year, resigned as executive director of that organisation¼ after allegations that his administration misappropriated millions of dollars.
A subsequent report into the matter by Contractor General, Derrick McKoy, found that over $2 billion was squandered by management at the NSWMA but cleared Stewart of any wrongdoing.
Mr. Stewart's reinstatement as manager of the Davies campaign team two weeks ago was roundly condemned after it was made public in The Sunday Gleaner.
Mr. Davies is competing with labour and sports minister Portia Simpson Miller, security minister Dr. Peter Phillips and vice-president, Dr. Karl Blythe, to replace Prime Minister P. J. Patterson. Mr. Patterson says he will retire as PNP president and Prime Minister in early 2006.
