Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Simpson-Miller

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday said she was deeply peeved by a Sunday Gleaner article which highlighted that in seven months she and her delegations spent almost $10 million on overseas travel.

The Prime Minister was addressing members of the People's National Party (PNP) National Executive Council (NEC) at the Dinthill Technical High School in St. Catherine.

"If I'm travelling on personal business, my husband ensures that I travel properly as he has given me a credit card from the day we got married," the Prime Minister said.

At the same time, she said, she would continue to be like "a Daniel".

She also said her party would become stronger.

During yesterday's NEC meeting, the PNP formally accepted the applications of former Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament from St. Catherine Abe Dabdoub and Patrick Atkinson who is from Central Westmoreland.

Well-organised

According to PNP General Secretary, Donald Buchanan, the addition of these two former JLP stalwarts would strengthen what he calls the already well-organised PNP.

At the same time, he says by the end of February a candidate would be named for Western Portland to replace Doreen Forbes, who has resigned. Mr. Buchanan also said by the end of March, a replacement would be named for Aloun Assamba, the sitting Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann, who will not be seeking re-election.

"Come election day, the PNP will continue to be the ruling party as the Jamaican people will be first for them," said Mr. Buchanan.