"We are not going to allow anybody to mash up what the PNP has built," Patterson told hundreds of supporters inside the National Arena as he brought the 67th annual conference of his ruling People's National Party to a close.

Patterson, who was giving his final annual conference speech as PNP president, listed among his achievements paying off the country's debt to the International Monetary Fund, as well as a number of economic projects including what he termed "the greatest Spanish invasion since Christopher Columbus first came to Jamaica in 1492," in terms of hotel investments by Spanish chains.

He promised that prior to leaving the stage he would approve the bid for the Harmony Cove project in Trelawny by October, set in motion a project for a major industrial park using Liquefied Natural Gas, a housing development project for Central Kingston, which would not encourage garrison-type lifestyle, as well as a cultural centre for downtown Kingston to be named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar.

"It has not been an easy road, but I believe that we have created the momentum that will enable us to build a caring, peaceful and prosperous nation," Patterson said.

He said that with the help and goodwill of the country, he had been able to "douse the burning flames of political tribalism", and was given the privilege of seeing a new group of young, skilled Jamaicans begin to take control of sectors of the society "unfettered by the social, political and emotional issues of an older generation".

Prior to his farewell speech, Patterson was honoured in song and dance by a number of entertainers.