Government steps in to fund Bustamante birthday celebrations in Hanover

The Ministry of Culture, through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), has stepped in to fund the birthday celebrations for National Hero Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante in Blenheim, Hanover.

Citing funding challenges, the Hanover Municipal Corporation indicated that it would have to scale down this year's celebrations, which marks his 141st birthday.

It was indicated that the planning committee has not secured the funding needed to stage the customary civic event.

At a recent meeting of the planning committee, which was chaired by Councillor Andria Dehaney-Grant, the deputy mayor of Lucea, it was revealed that the event slated for February 24, does not have the funding to stage the event with the glamour of former years.

READ: Sir Alexander Bustamante's 141st birthday celebrations in limbo

“The decision would be for the planning committee to make, as it relates to the type of event we can have; civic ceremony or floral tribute, as there is no [financial] allocation to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for the Bustamante Birthday celebrations,” Shyan Williams, the commission's parish manager told the meeting.

With an estimated budget of $800,000 to stage the customary civic ceremony and just $150,000 to do a low-keyed floral tribute, Williams said that without a financial allocation from the government, serious consideration is being given to seek the least expensive option.

The Government has since responded.

In a statement last Sunday night, Culture Minister Olivia Grange announced that her Ministry will fund the commemorative event.

She said the decision was made following discussions involving the Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Tamika Davis, and the leadership of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Grange said the commemorative event will include “performances by students, the laying of floral tributes, and reflections on the life of the great leader.”  

The Guest Speaker will be the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge.

In light of the situation at the Hanover Municipal Corporation and uncertainty over this important event at Blenheim, r Grange has instructed that her Ministry, through the Jamaica Cultural

Development Commission, “must now play a leading role in organising commemorative events linked to National Heroes, working closely with local authorities.”

There will also be a Floral Tribute to Sir Alexander at National Heroes Park on his birthday.  

At that event to be hosted by Grange, the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen; the Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness; and the Leader of Opposition, Mark Golding, are expected to be among those laying floral tributes.

Sir Alexander, who was Jamaica's first Prime Minister, was born on February 24, 1884.

Bustamante also won our country's first general election under universal adult suffrage with the Jamaica Labour Party and was also Jamaica's first Chief Minister.

Grange said activities such as the commemorative event at Blenheim are critical to preserving the memory of the National Heroes and their various contributions to Jamaica.

“Bustamante will always be remembered for fighting to uplift the working class and for helping us to develop into the people we've become - proud, confident Jamaicans who believe we can be the best in the world. Bustamante gave us confidence. Sir Alexander Bustamante was, is, and will continue to be a source of inspiration for Jamaicans. There is so much in his life and work that we can use to improve our lives.”

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