Road rage, burning garbage, and their stressful impact

James Moss-Solomon

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The sudden passing of Whitney Houston was sad news for the whole world and reminded us all of the fragility of the really gifted and the dangers of drug addiction that made a sad deterioration of perhaps one of the world's greatest singers happen right in front of our eyes. Often the most talented are also the most tormented, and the pressures of life, performance, and the paparazzi will be too much for their stressful lives. Rest in peace.

The robbery/murder of Ed Gallimore, who was taking money for the church to the ATM for deposit, was a shocker. He was a noted organiser of many events that were always presented with flair, style and precision. I extend my condolence to his family and friends. I also include those who were robbed while paying their respects and offering sympathy to his loved ones.

The recent vehicle accidents involving school children in Manchester speak to the need for some serious thinking about the prerequisites for being allowed to operate dangerous equipment in the public transportation system. Similarly, the JUTC crash last week in Portmore is yet another example. If we accept the premise that a blunt instrument of over a ton that can travel at high speeds is a potentially dangerous piece of equipment, then the regulation of its operation is a matter of public interest.

In a similar manner, other public transportation players are forced to conform to the regulations of their profession, and we the public are usually thankful. For example, look at planes. As we sit on the tarmac, how comfortable would we be if the pilot was an "unlicensed bredda whe jus a hold a little hustling"? And the flight attendant cramming three more passengers into your seat would be a reason for nervousness and definitely not Air Jamaica. The same holds true for the train and subway, and even now it extends to cruise ships.

My question is therefore, why is this alright with bus and taxi operators, who are being defended purely on the basis of perceived need or not being able to get another job? Why do parents, who are quite ready to physically attack teachers who discipline their children, allow those same little angels to ride with maniacs who are often under the influence of chemical additives? It seems so stupid and defies all logic. But this is Jamaica.

We need to take firm decisions on the standards required for anyone who seeks to operate public transportation. It is not a "careless work", and we need to adhere to behaviour that will make the driver a respected person in the society and a true professional with head held high. All work needs to be regulated, and as a consequence enjoy that sense of being a real part of our society; just like doctors or lawyers, or other regulated professions.

I drove along Spanish Town Road last week in order to get to Six Miles, forgetting that the fire at the dump was still burning. Well, even inside my car with the vents closed I found myself choking and coughing. I had to take an antihistamine when I got home. I can easily imagine and empathise with the plight of residents and persons working in the area. GraceKennedy had to close one food factory as did many other businesses in the area. Well so much for improving productivity and social conditions.

Citizens should not be affected by the location of an out of control dump site. I suggest that what was passed as smoke nuisance would be cause for legal recourse in other countries. In a similar vein, access by unsupervised persons who make a living from the scavenging of items cannot be an unregulated activity predicated on need or greed.

In the meantime, I am aware of private proposals that seek to use garbage as a source of energy for the generation of electricity. Some US$50-million investment from private investors have been dawdling or intentionally ignored by the powers that be who claimed that the garbage "belongs" to the Government. If that is so, then the Government must solve the burning problem or face legal action.

In spite of this, the former minister, James Robertson, announced in 2009 that a contract to build two waste-to-energy plants was signed between PCJ and Cambridge Project Development of Florida and that this would save some US$60 million per annum in fuel imports, and produce 65mw of electricity.

Well, it is now 2012, and garbage is still going up in toxic smoke with no energy savings. I wonder what has happened? Operations were scheduled to commence in 2012, but nothing is happening as there was no reason for the Government to be a partner in what should easily be a private sector project.

The pre-bid meeting was attended by representatives from JTI, JPS, PCJ, and NSWMA. Companies included Cambridge Project Development, Red Energy Group, Green Power, BD Group, Masada, and CEREG. So will someone please explain the delay so that we can understand the bureaucracy that must be involved.

I cannot understand why the largely unproductive cash in private hands must be crowded out of viable projects that will not put public funds at risk. In fact, we have no public funds for capital and any investment will cause more money to be borrowed, and the risk of running efficient operations has never been satisfactorily demonstrated by Government. In fact, "government entrepreneurship" must be an oxymoron.

The accident in Manchester alone could have exhausted the total supply of intensive care beds available in the entire island. Thank God this was not necessary, but if it had been, many sick persons would have been denied surgery or other life-saving treatments.

The communities affected by toxic or allergy-induced illnesses certainly have populations of several hundred thousand citizens. If two per cent of those developed serious asthma there would be insufficient nebulisers available to treat them.

So there are implications and restrictions that are necessary in order to provide the best usage of scarce equipment and capital. Public transport operators and dump "Dons" cannot be allowed to run the lives of the majority of decent, law-abiding citizens. In fact, their actions threaten the poor even more than the rich. What say you, Madam Prime Minister?

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Road rage, burning garbage, and their stressful impact