KINGSTON, Jamaica – Youth Minister and Member of Parliament for the South East St Ann Constituency Lisa Hanna says that no paving work was done at the Prickly Pole Primary and Infant School and as such, there is no “missing funds” to explain.

In a statement Friday, the minister explained that the project was proposed but “was not approved by the constituency executive and funds were never sought from any agency nor allocated for any such Prickly Pole Paving Project”.

“Accordingly, there was no paving work done and no ‘missing funds’ to explain” she added. 

The project has created much controversy in the constituency with parents allegedly demanding answers from the school board about the project.

Read: SACKED!The minister’s statement in full:

Recently, allegations have been published that $3 million was spent for paving works at the Prickly Pole Primary and Infant School yard located in the Bensonton Division of South East St Ann, the constituency I represent.   

 I wish to categorically state the following:

1. The allegations are baseless. It is important that the procedure for the recommendations of contracts is outlined to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. 

2. My constituency office recommends to the constituency executive various projects which may be undertaken throughout the constituency. The executive seeks to obtain funding from the relevant agencies for those projects approved by it. 

It is the implementing agencies (e.g. The Parish Council, National Works Agency or The National Solid Waste Management Authority) that award contracts and ensures that work is properly done so payments can be made by them. No constituency office or executive collects any funds to make payments under any contract.

In this instance, the Prickly pole paving was among several projects recommended by a former executive member Mr Ezekiel Russell in December 2013. Mr Ezekiel Russell circulated his recommendation to Councillor Lydia Richards on December 3, 2013 in a document entitled ‘Christmas Programme for the Bensonton Division’. 

The proposed Prickly Pole paving project was not approved by the constituency executive and funds were never sought from any agency nor allocated for any such Prickly Pole Paving Project. Accordingly, there was no paving work done and no “missing funds” to explain. 

The public should be aware that the South East St Ann Constituency Executive has held over 15 executive meetings since December 2013 and none of these allegations or any questions on the matter have ever been raised. All Councillors are members of the executive.