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News
I answer only to the people — Golding
Garfield Myers
Saturday, September 04, 2010
NEW MARKET, St Elizabeth — Under persistent pressure as a result of the clumsy handling of and extradition request and related lobbying efforts in recent months, a combative Prime Minister Bruce Golding is insisting that he is "answerable" only to the people of Jamaica.
Golding told a supportive audience during the St Elizabeth launch of a massive China-funded US$400-million road and infrastructure rehabilitation programme at the Lewisville High School in New Market, SW St Elizabeth on Tuesday that he would not be distracted from efforts to repair the struggling Jamaican economy and improve the lot of ordinary people.
"You know something, when I got this job I understood clearly that I am accountable to the people of Jamaica, not to any board room, not to those who sit at the pinnacle of any private sector empire and not to those who own and control particular instruments of media dissemination," declared Golding.
"I am accountable to the people of Jamaica, and it is for them that I work, and it is to them that I will (give) account at the appropriate time," he added to loud applause.
His reference to "appropriate time" was apparently in relation to parliamentary elections which are constitutionally due in two years. Golding's Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) holds a slim parliamentary majority over the Opposition People's National Party (PNP), which held political power for 18 years prior to defeat in the 2007 elections.
Golding apologised to the nation in May for perceived mishandling of an extradition request by the United States of former West Kingston 'don' Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and related lobbying efforts through the US law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips. West Kingston is Golding's parliamentary constituency, routinely considered the strongest for the JLP.
The Golding government eventually approved the US extradition request in May, following a nine-month delay. The decision triggered civil unrest in Tivoli Gardens and surrounding communities in West Kingston, leaving dozens dead. A two-month limited State of Emergency also resulted.
Calls have persisted for Golding to resign over the issue and, at the very least, provide "full disclosure" on the entire affair.
The five-year islandwide road repair programme -- the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme -- is to be implemented by the Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company Limited in partnership with the National Works Agency, the Department of Local Government and the parish councils.
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9/4/2010
Our PM should not have a constituent of his own, this is a distraction to him/her for that person should concentrate on the country as a whole and not have to curry -favor with any one area of the country in order to win their votes. With the current system,all PMs will be vulnerable to situations such as the Dudus affair. Constitutional reform is needed to help our country realize it's potential
9/4/2010
Bruce is become such a laughing stock. Now assuming you asnwer to the people answer this wise guy, how many jobs you have created since you took office. Here is a more difficulty one, but attempt it anyway. What have you done to reduce crime, you think killing off Jmaicans in Tivoli is a crime plan, surprise surprise it is not. The only sad thing is the PNP no alternative, which is why I know Jamaica is doomed.
R. Edwards NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com
9/4/2010
Who does he consider "the people'/ Only those who can't read and write, and who swallow the bait with question? What an asinine remark. And haughty too.
This man is doing to the JLP the same thing Seaga did when he stubbornly held on to the reins of leadership. This is why the JLP stayed in the wilderness for so long.
And guess what?
Golding is causing a repeat of the same. The party will be in the wilderness again for decades.
9/4/2010
@Jaye Stone: I agree with you, Mr PM yes you are everyone's PM and I know you need the guys/gals in the board rooms also, Please be more DIPLOMATIC, and if you do not have a Public Relations person who is well acquainted in International Matters please get one, if you already have a person and you continue making unfortunate statements, "FIRE THEM" they are of not use, please think about the "THREE SIDES" of a subject before answering your questions.
9/4/2010
Please remain focus Sir. I'm one of those who hit out on you for the handling of this situation (not call for your resignation), but at the same time I can't ignore the positives that your leadership had reaped so far.
9/4/2010
Which "People" did you "answer" to when the extradition request were tendered ?.
Were they the ones that "have rights" ?.
Or, were they the ones that were the "lubricated conduits' for MPP ?.
Heal thyself !.
9/4/2010
As far as Bruce Golding is concerned, the "people" have asked no questions and therefore no answers will be forthcoming. PM you are gravely mistaken, because if a believable, unambigious and palatable explanation is not given, this issue will follow you , your party and the Gov. with infinite terminality.
9/4/2010
Seems like arrogant statement aft,reading polls,polls saying 70% says,PM lack credibility & same polls, put pnp in lead,by within margin of error but lead...due PM own actions.
Imagine PN using,same slogan coined by Golding in 1980`manlie` aginst golding,`mash down that lie`.
Mr. Golding with respect, put the principle we expect of you first adn not the power lust,at all.
We should do betta, than just getting over,thru we can!
it is not good,from how we anaylze it.
9/4/2010
Mr Golding, the two main things that are on the Jamaican people minds right now are: job, jobs, jobs they want, and get rid of all the illegal guns off the streets.
If you can`t provide them with that, It dosen`t matter what you say. it will be of no importance to them.
The Jamaican people elected you to do that.
Providing jobs, and getting rid of the gunmen off the streets , If you can`t do that, it will not matter if you chat about the whole world it won`t make any sense to them.
9/4/2010
Yes, you are right. Then answer truthfully the questions asked in parliament where the people's representatives are. Tell the full truth and nothing but the truth. Hiding behind economic development and major projects will not let this issue of decency, honesty and truth go away. Your consultants are giving you bad advice. Ignore them and do what is right!
9/4/2010
Yes My prime minister, our crime chief , Well said.
thanks
9/4/2010
Mr Golding Pls just resign & set a example. Pls I'm begging you. I would love to see if your resignation will make JA better today. We have people like Portia In power for 30 add yrs, & look at her constituency majesty gardens. My GOD, are any of the politicians in JA qualified to be in charge? If so, why are we sinking deeper and deeper In debt, crime & poverty. If it's not for the remittance many people would suffer even more. Yet dem kill fi politicians. I guess they are MASOCHIST.
9/4/2010
Jamaican politics is incredible divisive and never puts the interest of the general population or the development of the country at the forefront. The PNP and certain private sector interests mentioned by Golding are indeed hoping to topple the present administration. Their interest lie in controlling commerce and keeping the majority Jamaicans subjugated and living in poverty. They were the ones calling for the incursion into TG and the subsequent death of 73 persons.
9/4/2010
Well Mister P.M. Bruce Golding, I personally hope that you will indeed answer the Jamaica people and that this is not another delayed tactics by you and your administration. The truth will set you free.
9/4/2010
Mr Golding still has not gotten it. I am amazed that he continues to dodge these relevant questions. He continues to believe that a few green shirts in his audience is representative of Jamaica. Who does the Prime Minister refer to as the people? Isn't every Jamaican including those he described, "the people"? Mr Golding seems to be losing it. Are the Gov. and Party going to allow this man to bring them down. Mr Golding seems unrepentant and seeminly believes he will survive the next 2 yrs.
9/4/2010
A-hoe!, so those who are in the board room, at the pinnacle of the private sector, and those who control the media are not Jamaicans? them mussi "russians"? cause dem a try 'rush' you out of office.
Bruce you don't get it all now. Or maybe you are just stubborn as a mule, BUT your (lack of) credibility is now your hamper.
9/4/2010
How naive of Golding. Question: Is not all those people who sit at the pinnacle of the private sector group etc etc, also regarded as people of Jamaica to whom he is answerable to? I have always said that is the percentage of die-heard supporters on both sides of the political fence that allows sucessive governments not to be more accountable and can stand up on a podium and have....shouting at every words they say. I have to laugh. Trust me.
9/4/2010
Mr. Golding quit the arrogance.....who do you consider 'the people' the less intelligent among us who are not able to discern what is unfolding in the Mannatt issue........Remember many people feel disappointed in you, even as you continue to provide leadership in turning the country around.........you came with good credibilty and political stock (bolstered by the PNP's abysmal 18yr performance).....It is beyond me why you are squandering it with such foolish actions....
9/4/2010
Wow! Things can change fast in Jamaica. 3 years ago it was the same private sector that joined with the JLP to embarass Ms. Simpson. Millions were spent to flush her out of office. She was branded as uneducated and ...and she was a woman! Bruce knows fully well that an uneducated and deprived masses will again be influenced by the private sector almighty dollars. Whoever the provate sector backs in Jamaica will always win the election, troubling. isn't it? So Bruce is only hoping.
9/4/2010
It's always funny when politicians speak to (a) friendly audience(s) how they put on this mask of false bravado. The truth, Bruce, is that preaching to the choir is not to be and should not be mistaken as speaking to the wider J'can society. In a decent democracy, we want the fourth estate to be democracy's watchdog and not anyone's lapdog, we want an informed and educated populace and, most of all, we want a gov't with no ties to criminality and corruption. That's it, plain and simple.
9/4/2010
Thank u Mr Prime minister, for 18yrs the country was stagnant, slipping and sliding into a Zimbabwe like state, where were the critics? they sit and get the cream off the top and what did the black ppl left with? a half recked country. You and your Govt. is doing a fine job, keep on going. Just a word of caution, this road dev. fund, please spend it fixing the road and do not used it as a political payout to my long starving colleagues. Please NO politics in the road repair.
9/4/2010
Your answerable to everybody mr. PM, the board room member as well. I don't know if you have somebofy versed in PR giving you advice, but if so, the person should be fired. Your clumsy statements almost always lands you in trouble and you have no idea how you alienate interest groups when you speak before thinking. You are suppoosed to be Prime Minster of those in high places, low places and inbetween. Even for those in jail.
9/4/2010
The DPP is supposed to represent the people. however she seems to be on vacation or something. IN more serious countries, you would be in prison or exile for your barefacedness.
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