KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange has slammed Member of Parliament for South East St Ann, Lisa Hanna for comments she made in her contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday.

“The member was hypocritical and irresponsible in her presentation which had the effect of besmirching professionals, alarming our partners and demotivating our volunteers”, Grange said in a release sent to the media last night.

“I categorically reject the allegations of wrongdoing and will seek to provide a comprehensive response in the House.”

The allegations of wrongdoing relate to the use of a consultant by the JCDC and the establishment of a Secretariat in the ministry to coordinate activities to mark Jamaica 55 — which is an expanded programme, Grange disclosed.

She argued that the hiring of consultants at the JCDC pre-dates her leadership as minister and has been a necessary support resource to the Commission in the execution of its mandate.

“The mind boggles at the thought that this member (Hanna), who fired the Project Director for Jamaica 50 Secretariat on assuming office and hired another at twice the pay, is now the one coming to the Parliament to tell the nation that she found a culture of extravagance”, Grange reasoned.

Grange pointed out that during Hanna’s tenure as minister of youth and culture between 2012 and 2016 the same consultant was engaged by the JCDC in addition to the fact that Hanna maintained a secretariat to coordinate activities to mark Jamaica 50, including the sale of commemorative pins, which Grange added at last count her current administration found “tens of thousands of pins hidden at various locations across the island and overseas”.

The minister noted that the investigations are ongoing.

Grange in her statement assured the nation that the ministry is managing a credible programme in compliance with applicable rules and regulations including those that govern procurement.