WESTMORELAND:
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has instructed that the house in Blenheim, Hanover where National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante was born is to be immediately restored while the grave site of former Prime Minister, Hugh Lawson Shearer is to be refurbished this week.
The Prime Minister issued the orders on Friday while speaking at a function in Westmoreland where sugar workers employed to the Frome estate received titles for lots on the Albany property.
"I was very upset and disappointed to learn that the development to restore the house where Sir Alexander was born was not proceeding as quickly as it should," said the Prime Minister.
He stressed that he has given firm instructions to the minister responsible for national heritage to ensure that the money is provided to complete the work in the shortest possible time.
According to Mr. Patterson, although he has just under five weeks before demitting office, there could be dismissals if his instructions are not obeyed.
Mr. Patterson said he was also distressed to learn that little maintenance is being effected to the grave site of former Prime Minister Shearer.
Heritage interests and other organisations including the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party had expressed alarm that the birth place of the National Hero and Mr. Shearer's burial site were being neglected.
