KINGSTON, Jamaica – Attorney-at-Law and JLP Caretaker for East Central St Catherine Alando Terrelonge, today stated that Junior Minister Arnaldo Brown’s recent assertions in Parliament that some J$3 billion have been spent in the constituency of East Central St Catherine is perplexing given the high level of underdevelopment and poverty across the constituency.

“The junior minister’s assertions are as baffling as his recent million dollar phone bill. Given the general lack of development visible in most communities across the constituency, some serious investigation into the breakdown of the alleged spending is required,” Terrelonge said.

“Large parts of the communities of Gregory Park and Newlands have been left neglected. Some residents have concluded that the lack of spending in these areas is politically motivated, as they are viewed as “labourite areas” he added.

Terrelonge expressed that while throwing figures across the floor of the Parliament in an attempt to give the impression that all is well in the constituency, the MP missed an excellent opportunity to highlight the hardships of many residents and communities throughout the area. 

The JLP caretaker went on to state that the residents continue to beg for community centres and proper infrastructure. The roads in Cedar Grove, Christian Pen and Gregory Park remain in a deplorable condition, he said. He also pointed out that in areas such as Grange Lane, Morris Meadows, Watson Grove and Meadowvale, there is a lack of proper maintenance of street lights which, he insists, has contributed to the rise in criminal activities in some communities.

“For the MP to pat himself on the back with tales of big spending when unemployment is so high is a slap in the face to the constituents,” he went on to state. 

Terrelonge further expressed his disappointment at the MP’s presentation and noted that not much has changed across the constituency in the last 4 years.

“There is still no plan for the construction of a public hospital for the residents of Portmore which is one of the largest dormitory communities in the Caribbean,” he said.