PM rejects Holness's suggestion

BY ALESIA EDWARDS Observer staff reporter alesiae@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has rejected Opposition Leader Andrew Holness's suggestion that the governing People's National Party (PNP) follow through on the policies of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) while in Government.

Speaking Sunday at the party's first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting since its convincing general election victory over the JLP last month, Simpson Miller told comrades that the electors have already rejected the JLP's policies.

"He said we are to continue the policies of the Jamaica Labour Party Government. We are quite aware that the Jamaican people on the 29th of December rejected the policies of the Jamaica Labour Party Government," Simpson Miller told comrades to rousing applause.

"No Mama P, we can't continue with that, their policies wrecked this country," shouted one man as a thunderous shout of 'No' echoed across the room inside the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in this north coast town.

"We put forward our Progressive Agenda and then we put forward out manifesto. They put forward their manifesto, the people of Jamaica elected the People's National Party," Simpson Miller said.

"We are going to put the policies in place that will be in the interest of the Jamaican people, not a political party, not for a few persons, but for the Jamaican people."

Simpson Miller said she was very happy that the electorate had put their trust and confidence in the PNP and so she challenged members of the Government to become purpose-driven.

"We must be change makers and we must be purpose-driven leaders, whether at the local government level or at central government and I warn you that I'm holding everyone accountable in the interest of the Jamaican people," she said.

The prime minister said her Government would not be one of mediocrity. She said there should be consultation with the people and that the laws of the land must be upheld and the business of the people must be conducted with sensitivity and sincerity.

"We must make participation, accountability and responsibility our watchwords," Simpson Miller said.

She said all ministers and state ministers have already been mandated to put in process the question of consultation and the rebuilding of communities through consultation. She said inter-ministerial committees would be set up to ensure that ministries work together.

"Already I said to the minister of transport and works and the minister of water, if water commission is going to dig up a road for some reason, whether it's going to fix a pipe or to replace one, that the Ministry of Construction and Works must be informed," she said.

"...So that the next ministry can move in to correct, so that we not leave some holes on the road that when it would take $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 or $20,000 to fix that road, it will end up causing five or 10 or $20 million to fix the road."

Simpson Miller said the Government would have to be creative and an office would be created in the Office of the Prime Minister where any delays on projects would be reported.

"I drove on some roads that cost millions of dollars and I am trying to find the millions that were spent on these roads and I am warning contractors, not under a People's National Party Government this is going to happen," she said.

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COMMENTS (13)

Anthony Johnson
1/25/2012

@Oo k...DWL..you too cold..lol, wha yu seh "Mr. Millwood gwaan hold strain....yu nah get paid!".....that was funny but mind yu get de man MADD, hANGRY, MISERABLE

diehardr sickheads
1/24/2012

Could someone tell portia that this is the same reason why our international ratings dropped before the election because they dont trust the pnp policies as it relates to fiscal responsibility she chat foolishness bout rejecting all jlp policies.even if she doesn't like some policies you dont come public and say people want new policies overnite, because that is not factual. the international markets are looking on.Stupid statements make all of us suffer including me.if plane crash we all die

Norman Francis
1/24/2012

The elected party governs and the opposition party(s) criticizes; thats the way our parliamentary system work. The last election was monumental because it demonstrated the maturity of the Jamaican electorate and their yearning for a civil society, good government and personal improvement. Good on you Jamaica! Politcal tribalism is dead, Dec 29 marked its burial. Jamaica, let no one raise it from the dead. Jamaicans Dont Kill Jamaicans. We are TOO special not to live out our God-Given purpose.

Norman Francis
1/24/2012

Bravo Mama P! Thanks you for not losing sight of your mandate. The People want the platform you laid out before them in the general election; stay the course. It will be tough initially, but stay the course. Your stated watchwords: "participation, accountability and responsibility" must be entrenched in all areas of your administration (and society) - fire some people if you must to set an example for others. Mama P, I have faith in you and all of Jamaica will in due time, just stay the course.

0o k
1/24/2012

Yep Mama yu win fair an square ....implement your own.
Crime, FINSAC-inization Hatian-ization, Somalian-ization, end State sponsored Health Care and Education.
Start borrowing for you friends in Paris and Milan, High Interests rates, Ponzi Schemes.....Mr. Millwood gwaan hold strain....yu nah get paid!

Alberto Alba
1/24/2012

Mrs PSM seems to be out of line with her ministers. I recall Anthony Hylton saying that his ministry is prepared to continue some of the policies of the JLP, including the proposed Caymanas Development project. I also heard Ronnie Thwaites saying he will continue education policies of the past, particular those implemented by Andrew Holness. Just suppose Michael Manley and PJ hadnt continue Eddie Seaga's HEART. See what we would have lost? Get real madam PM. No time for stupidity.

Tajai Grant
1/24/2012

PNP===DECEPTION, enough said.

Garrette Gordon
1/24/2012

Most Jamaicans know one of the reasons we are still backward as a nation is the lack of continuity when another party forms a new government. Portia should act wisely by rejecting unsustainable JLP projects and continuing ones that will benefit the Jamaican people. Good governance is less about party philosophy and more about what action the current variables demand, whether they be economic, social or global.
NB Why are comments not allowed for some of the news items. eg Woman shoplifting

Bancroffe Demetrius
1/24/2012

We are at it again. The dust has not even settled as yet and we are cutting the throat of the government. They are not even a month in office but all the 'star gazers' and 'crystal ball perfectionists' are coming out of the wood works to give the government 'hell.' Since they can see the future why didn't they call the election results? Grow up and give them a chance to do what is necessary for the country. SORE LOSERS.

J Dilaurence
1/24/2012

If she is in fact continuing the former administrations policies, then what is the gripe? If she isn't then wouldn't that be her prerogative as leader of a newly elected administration. You naysayers should try and see the silver lining here, if crime and taxes and and all these other ills skyrocket then the PNP wont be in power for very long, right? So whats the fuss? Well?

RED ANTS
1/24/2012

@Jay call it what you want to call since every single drop of the green people were saying PNP have no policy to lead.Why didn't you place the poverty rate on your list? you see free education in Jamaica? free health when patients cannot even get medicine and keep in mind the JLP hold the record for the highest number of murder in Jamaica history in a single year.

Howard Pusey
1/24/2012

What is Mrs Simpson saying? NONE of the policies os the previous goverment is worth continuing?..FI REEL??
When it comes the goverment profects we need people credible to pass the jobs befor the final cheque is issued...just like we would do for our own buisnesses

Jay Brown
1/24/2012

Here we go again, so can we now expect to see the following:
1. Rising crime ( well it has started)
2. High levels of inflation
3. Devaluations
4. High Interest rate
5. Reversal of "free education"
6. Reversal of "free health care"
7. Tax reform
8. Public sector reform.
Folks, while Portia is saying publicly to PNP diehards no continuation of policies of previous administration, they are in fact doing just that.
This is deception at best.
Are we planning to start all over again mama P?

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PM rejects Holness's suggestion