KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew Damion Crawford on Sunday defended his representation within the constituency, telling constituents that he does not endorse many political practices.

While discouraging those gathered at the rally in his constituency from accepting handouts, he urged them to question those who speak negatively of his representation.

He insisted that he is not selfish or insensitive as many have purported, but charged the constituents to strive for independence rather than dependence.

“Some people aguh win gold in the dependency Olympics enuh, they are training very hard for it,” the State minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment said.

The East Rural MP went on to dispel rumours of his lack of care and concern for his constituents, bolstering his argument by stating his accomplishments.

He said that he has paid for students from his constituency to attend Pre-UWI, of which 25 sat A-Level Sociology with 16 passing, and another 36 sitting the exams for Principles of Business with 32 passing.

Crawford also highlighted his night school programmes in Mavis Bank and his Grade six Achievement Test and Literacy programmes in Gordon Town, Harbour View and Bull Bay.

“How can you say power and you don’t say knowledge when knowledge is power?” Crawford quizzed. “Any man weh say power must say knowledge.”

The MP also stated that although he does not do back-to-school programmes, he is concerned about education.

“None a dem cyaa do more school than Crawford,” he asserted.

“The $2 million that I would spend on back to school every year for four years, is that make sure say dirt road no longer name dirt road; it now named Weise Road, fully paved,” Crawford boasted.”

He also listed other roadwork done in areas such as Cottage Hill, Taylor Land, Bedward Gardens, and Kintyre among his achievements.

David Wright