Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz
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Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz responding to former Works Minister Everald Warmington
By Nakinskie Robinson
During Tuesday afternoon's session of the Standing Finance Committee, a combative former Works Minister Everald Warmington strayed from the sessions proceedings to blast his government colleague Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz about a statement made in the media recently.
Minister Vaz, who is also Member of Parliament for Portland Western, in a Jamaica Observer article said the disbursement of funds within his ministry would not be politically driven.
He sought to distance himself from comments by the former Works Minister, who last Monday implied that he would starve People's National Party councillor-elect for the Old Harbour South Division, Dr. Kurt Waul, of funds to carry out work in his division.
On Tuesday, Mr. Warmington challenged Mr. Vaz over the comments.
"Is there any method or such within your ministry, or a scope, where you can make allocation to councillors?" he asked Mr. Vaz, to which the minister responded: "Not to my knowledge, member."
"Is there such a privilege or opportunity in any other ministry? Do you know if any other ministry can do that?" Mr. Warmington continued.
"Not that I know of," said Mr. Vaz.
"You made the statement the other day, where I'm concerned, that you disassociate yourself from the statement I made in allocation. If it is not within a minister's [power] to do it, then how you making such statement in The Observer?" he blasted the minister.
But Minister Vaz reaffirmed his stance on the matter.
"Chairman, let me make it clear for all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. I do not support partisan political politics at any level. And as a minister of government, that will never happen under my watch in any way, shape or form," he insisted.
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