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A member of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ inner circle has sought to challenge the view that very little assistance has been given to a family that has been left homeless since a fire in Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, in November 2017.

Sashana Walker, 28, lost her home and most of her belongings in the fire. The mother of two lives under a tarpaulin in the yard where her house once stood.

Following the publication of her story in THE STAR on Tuesday, Robert Nesta Morgan, a government senator and parliamentary secretary, said the woman was given help to get on her feet. He has also questioned the motives of Jazeel Clarke, the youngster who brought attention to Walker’s plight.

Clarke is the People’s National Party (PNP) councillor caretaker in Olympic Gardens, a division which falls in Holness’ West Central St Andrew constituency.

At the same time, Morgan said that Walker was provided $150,000 worth of building material for the family, as well as more than $30,000 worth of food and other items.

“We have been in touch with the family in several ways long before now. The material was collected at New Budget hardware shortly after the fire occurred. At the time, $150,000 worth of material could give them a good start,” he said.

He stated that a representative from Holness’ team in the constituency has been in dialogue with Walker. He said that there are plans to provide the family with another $350,000 to assist in rebuilding the house.

However, while admitting that a relative received the $150,000 worth of building material, Walker said that she did not benefit from it.

“A representative of the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) has said it was for the family, but afterwards another representative said that it for my relative. Shortly after the fire, we did receive some grocery, but I am not sure how much it value. I also got $5,000. I took two for myself, gave my sister $2,000 and gave my aunt the other $1,000. I was also told that help is on the way, and I would receive assistance in rebuilding a home,” Walker said.

She also said that she only got some blocks from the PNP Women’s Movement.