Hanna dismisses ‘vindictive’ claims

Monique Grange, Gleaner Writer

Culture Minister Lisa Hanna is dismissing claims that her ministry is being vindictive in its move to restructure the Jamaica 50 celebrations programme.

Hanna announced yesterday that the programme is being restructured based on the discovery of several breaches in procurement and other procedures.

While saying she understands Hanna’s prerogative to restructure the programme, the opposition spokesman on culture Olivia Grange has taken issue with comments that there are discrepancies in the project.

However, the culture minister insisted that changes to the programme are critical based on what she described as glaring evidence.

She said as part of the restructuring exercise, the government will take a non-partisan approach in cutting the 90-member secretariat.

The culture minister said changes to the programme will be presented to the parliament shortly.

Meanwhile, Hanna said her office is now awaiting a response from the Auditor general, who has been asked to begin an audit into the Jamaica 50 programme.

She said the Contractor General is already probing the project.

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