Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ decision to strip Portland West Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz of the land, environment, and climate-change portfolio has been lauded by a leading environmentalist and public commentator.

Vaz was reassigned days after an Observer report revealed a controversial bid by the minister to obtain a 25-year lease that would have allowed him to construct a private cabin on protected lands within the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site.

Jamaica House announced on Tuesday evening that newly appointed Minister without Portfolio Leslie Campbell would be assigned to Vaz’s erstwhile duties.

“The prime minister could not alienate Vaz at a time like this.

However, the JCDT said that Vaz’s cabin plan was for private gain, while their holdings were to part-fund management of the lands.