Amid accusations of nepotism regarding the award of a contract by the Department of Energy for the production of brochures as well as radio and television Public Service Announcements, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes as cleared the air on the matter.

Full statement as follows
My attention was drawn late this afternoon to a press release by Edward Layne and a subsequent press statement the Opposition member Gail Teixeira in which reference is made to the award of “a multimillion dollar contract” to Videomega Productions “to produce brochures, as well as Radio and TV PSA’s for the Department of Energy”.

Prior to the two press releases I was completely unaware of the award of any contract to Videomega Productions. In May 2015 upon my assumption of the role of Minister of Tourism I relinquished any involvement in the day to day running of Videomega Productions. Russel Lancaster was appointed Manager and is responsible for the operations of the company. I have since been informed that the contract was for the production of three sixty second television Public Service Announcements. The value of the contract is $ 832,200. The award of this contract was never brought to my attention neither would I have been aware of it in the normal conduct of the Company’s business.