We put out number first – Robinson

GENERAL SECRETARY of the People’s National Party, Julian Robinson, defended the Opposition’s zone of special operations (ZOSO) hotline, telling The Gleaner the party was first to issue such a number and that concerns about its intentions are unfounded.

According to Robinson, although there are similarities, the party’s dedicated number is not a counter-effort to that of the joint command, but is intended to give the people another access point to lodge complaints if and when those arise.

“Nothing could be further from the truth that the Opposition was attempting to sow seeds of discord. The fact is that we had put out a number with the acronym ‘ZOSO’ used as the final four digits before the Government did,” he explained.

“I don’t believe there is incompatibility at all between the respective numbers. To be criticising us when we were the first to come out with a number is very unfortunate of the Government,” he noted.

However, Robert Morgan, the communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister, has rubbished the Opposition’s suggestion that there could be no confusion around the numbers.

He said that people in the zones must be reminded of the official channels to lodge their concerns.

“Nothing is wrong with people having options, but I would hasten to remind us that the use of the official number should take precedence,” said Morgan.

“I think the question they should answer is why should a political party use the acronym of the ZOSO in their political action, given that it’s not official. The idea that they were first to put out this number is irrelevant,” he said.