$70 Million to Stage Grand Gala on August 6
July 4, 2012The Full Story
A sum of $70 million has been allocated for the staging of Independence Grand Gala, Jamaica 50 Edition, at the National Stadium on August 6.
This was disclosed by Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, during her contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on July 3.
She informed that Cabinet has approved the contract for the production of the grand gala, which has been awarded to Jambiz International.
“Jambiz, the company which produced the Grand Gala in 2002, 2008, 2009 and 2011 was selected in a transparent tender process,” Miss Hanna said.
The Minister pointed out that flag-raising ceremonies are planned for all parish capitals on the morning of August 6.
“Independence stage shows will be on in all parishes on Independence Night and there will also be the Western Street Parade and Gala on the streets of Montego Bay and on the Montego Bay Waterfront,” the Culture Minister said.
Meanwhile, Miss Hanna said the calendar of events with the Jamaica 50 activities will be placed at local post offices and community notice boards.
“We are covering Jamaica physically and technologically, because this is a time for all of us to feel good and unite as a people on a mission to make Jamaica great,” the Minister said.
Miss Hanna informed that the Ministry has put in place a broad-based Steering Committee, chaired by an eminent Jamaican, to oversee the implementation of the celebrations and “to make suggestions."
The Committee includes representatives from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Council of Churches, Jamaica Reggae Industry Association Limited, Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and two persons from the Opposition, one of whom is the Opposition Spokesperson on Culture, Miss Olivia Grange.
“This celebration is about Jamaica and the pride of our people. As a people and a country, there is more that unites us than the forces that seek to separate us. For my part, partisan politics will not be allowed to play any part in this national Jamaica 50 programme. That is a solemn commitment that I give to the people of Jamaica from the start to the finish of this programme,” Miss Hanna said.
By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter