NIA welcomes resignation of Belnavis

Anti-corruption watchdog National Integrity Action (NIA) has welcomed the resignation of Mayor of  St. Ann's Bay Michael Belnavis.

The resignation of Mr Belnavis came last night following mounting calls for him to step down from the post after it was revealed that he is a director of a private company that captured government land and constructed a building, in violation of the Building Act.

NIA Executive Director Professor Trevor Munroe spoke on Saturday with Radio Jamaica News, asserting it was the right thing to do, under the circumstances.

He noted that members of Mr Belnavis's colleague councillors from the Jamaica Labour Party had urged him to resign, saying it was important to "appreciate and acknowledge whenever any political representative puts the public interest ahead of the party's interest."

Mr. Belnavis has also faced criticism for installing a charging port at the municipal corporation building for his luxury vehicle without authorization.