Citing irregularities on the part of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), the Trelawny Parish Council has issued an immediate stop order on demolition work on the site for the US$200 million (more than J$17 billion) Falmouth Wharf, in Falmouth.

In a release to the media late yesterday afternoon, Falmouth's mayor, Councillor Colin Gager, said the demolition work was being done without the requisite approval of the parish council, leaving the council with no choice but to issue a stop order.

"In the first instance, the PAJ had no written approval from the council to commence the demolition," said Gager. "Second, in terms of proof of ownership (in regard to the structure being demolished), we did not receive the relevant documentation from the Port Authority ahead of the demolition, so we could not verify ownership."

While making it quite clear that the parish council was fully supportive of the project, which he considers integral to the future development of Falmouth, Gager said the council would be intolerant to any breaches.