Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna has praised the contribution of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante to national development, recalling his public service in both the pre- and post- independence periods of Jamaica's history.

Bustamante, Hanna said, was a nation builder who identified with the interest and cause of the working-class and ordinary Jamaican. She was speaking at a floral tribute on the occasion of the 129th birthday of the National Hero at his shrine at National Heroes' Park in Kingston yesterday.

Sir William Alexander Bustamante was Jamaica's first prime minister and the founder of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and the Jamaica Labour Party.

Hanna spoke of Sir Alexander's energetic representation of the people and, in particular, the workers of Jamaica.

"Today we reflect on the character and substance of the man whose enduring energy and relentless efforts were important elements of the platform on which he promoted the national project of self-government as part of his determination to improve the conditions of the poor and oppressed people of Jamaica," she said.

Floral tributes were laid at Sir Alexander's shrine by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, Energy and Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell on behalf of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and by Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.

The event was organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, an agency of the Ministry of Youth and Culture.