If we put country first...

Monday, January 02, 2012

If only we could paint a vision of calm waters ahead in Jamaica's fiftieth year of Independence.

The hard truth, though, is that 2012 promises to be as tough as any since the global recession set in with a vengeance in 2008.

As has already been said in this space and elsewhere, the new Government to be led by Mrs Portia Simpson Miller must strive to deal decisively with public debt, calculated to be 130 per cent of GDP. Inevitably, there will have to be economic austerity, most likely under the watchful and critical eye of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Yet in the face of ballooning poverty levels, Mrs Simpson Miller and her party have pledged to provide "balance" with a creatively funded emergency employment programme. The jobs programme was a major plank of the People's National Party (PNP) election campaign and will have to be treated as priority.

At the same time, it would seem, long delayed requirements for taxation and pension reforms that are bound to be unpopular for large swathes of the population cannot be delayed much longer.

It seems to us that the efficiency with which the new Government is able to confront all these challenges while maintaining social order will largely determine how it is viewed come the end of 2012.

The PNP has said it will be targeting a resurgence of investment in the Jamaican economy. Without doubt it will be hoping to successfully complete negotiations with the bauxite/alumina companies for the reopening of Kirkvine in Manchester and Alpart in St Elizabeth.

It must build on the good work done by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration in the multi-billion dollar tourist industry over the last four years.

The longstanding issue of crime cannot be ignored. Regardless of the reasons, the fact is that violent crime has shown an encouraging downward trend in the last year and a half of the JLP Government -- certainly since the Tivoli operation and the limited State of Emergency of mid -2010.

Whatever happens, the new Government must make sure that this downward trend continues. Any perceived resurgence in crime levels will undermine public confidence in the administration. The resource constraints notwithstanding, the security forces must be given as much support as is possible to continue and indeed, expand its drive to dismantle the criminal gangs in St Catherine, St Andrew, Clarendon, St James, Westmoreland and elsewhere.

There are, of course, those external factors over which Jamaica and its government have no control. That reality hit home with great force when the global recession took hold three to four years ago.

And as this New Year begins the news from abroad is not good. For while there are suggestions that the US economy may be on an upward curve, the word out of Europe is that the growing debt crisis could trigger a major recession in 2012.

In these circumstances it is imperative that the PNP, which is about to take political power, and the JLP, about to return to the opposition benches, stick by their New Year's pledge to put country first.

To the extent that such a thing is possible, employers and labour must also stand shoulder to shoulder.

This is a year that will require all sectors of the Jamaican society to stand solidly together.

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COMMENTS (7)

4/20/2012

Let me say I am a poud product of the so caelld innercity. My march to becomming a respected professional was greatly facillitated by the policies of the PNP. My wish now that every innercity youth seek for a way to positively improve themselves as contrary to what people may say the are opurtunities to make that improvement. We have not attained a position where we should be comfortable but if we work togather we can make it. We have to shed the legacies of our socio- historical past and become true citizens of our beloved countyr. We all have our civic duties to perform, let us do them and in so doing we can help to make a better Jamaica. With steadfast assurance that God will look done and give us his blessing our efforts to crown,we will be united to build by his grace a nobler Jamaica alofterier race,Land of my birth I pledge to be loyal and faithfull,true to thee .

Ever Dunk
1/7/2012

Was Peter Phillips Anthem primarily designed for DUDUS and Tivoli Gardens? I am yet to see it used in any other communities especially any that is dominated by PNP gangs, albeit there are some where beheadings are privalent, guns are barking, and people are dying. The PNP are in power now and i hope they will be subjected to the same scrutiny that the JLP were subjected to after all the PNP failed in the nineties and we can no longer do that again.

joe jones
1/4/2012

As usual, Jamaicans prefer to live today and forget about tomorrow. Their choice was made clear on December 29th. Let the Party for National Poverty issue the pain medicine that is in any event unavoidable. Tough times are ahead and the country is broke. Civil servants who booted out the JLP may remain in their job but I hope that there are prepared to work for free. Hope for a better Jamaica is over now, time to leave the Rock and grow someone's else country before our poor get really hungry.

Joseph Edwards
1/3/2012

So smart are the voters in JA that in going through the worst times economically globally they chose the worst managers of the economy (PNP) to take them through talk about wisdom. WOW this one beats me, I hope it doesn't beat them also! Illiterates, the problem in Jamaica to include Teachers, Nurses and Police. Yes! I said it. They can see no further than their noses, all they think about is a belly full. So tell me when you hungry again what happens? You will learn in less than 5 years.

John Smith
1/2/2012

Funnily enough that is exactly the essence of what was said by PSM in her victory speech. I like this one; "There are, of course, those external factors over which Jamaica & its government have no control. That reality hit home with great force when the global recession took hold 3-4 yrs ago." This despite Audley Shaw's assurances. I hope the PNP will let us know what exactly went wrong with the IMF deal. Why the JLP secrecy. Good to see the Editor taking up the role of Opposition. Lol!

George Jungle
1/2/2012

We need to increase local production from our farms and stop imports of food by the hotel and retail sectors. to do this we need to unilaterally withdraw from the WTO. We also need to have our motivational speakers glorify farming for our youth so that they can see a future coming from legitimate sources.

carlos king
1/2/2012

Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. Please permit me to amend the last sentence of your editorial: At least for the next 50 years, all sectors of the Jamaican society will be required to stand solidly together.

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