KINGSTON, Jamaica — Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has taken offence to a recent statement made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmoreland Central, Dwayne Vaz that people sheltering at Petersfield High School were not in upgraded housing by the promised deadline because of “incompetence” on the part of McKenzie and his ministry.

Vaz made the comment on the May 8 deadline for all victims of Hurricane Melissa to be relocated from schools being used to shelter them. He was also critical of the facilities that were provided, declaring them to be less than suitable.

An irritated McKenzie attacked Vaz in a news release on Friday, arguing that the People’s National Party MP was a man “driven by convenience and opportunism, instead of care and concern for his constituents”.