Damion Crawford dismisses fire response criticisms

Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew, Damion Crawford, has declared he is not in a love contest as he blasts high profile visits to the areas of his constituency affected by bush fires.

State Minister in the Agriculture Ministry, Luther Buchanan led a visit yesterday with officials from the Agriculture Ministry.

Crawford was a part of the tour, but claims he was reluctant to join.

Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness also led a team that visited the area on Sunday.

Speaking on Power 106 FM’s Cliff Hughes Online this morning, Crawford condemned the visits, and sought to reject criticisms that he has not been helping his constituents affected by the fire.

He says there needs to be a general conversation on what he calls the ethics of representation.

Meanwhile, Crawford is dismissing as ridiculous some of the damage figures being reported as a result of the fire in sections of his coffee-dependent constituency.

Buchanan says about 500 acres of lands have been destroyed in the fire resulting in losses of $200 million.

The Jamaica Agricultural Society Jamaica says damages could cost about $500 million and large coffee farmer Joan Gordon-Webley says she expects costs to run into the billions.

However, Crawford says the figures are ridiculous as no proper assessment has been done.