Sector leaders hail PNP win

BY CONRAD HAMILTON Observer senior reporter hamiltonc@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, December 30, 2011

THE country's sector leaders last night poured congratulatory messages on the Portia Simpson Miller-led People's National Party (PNP).

President of the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA) Vitus Evans expressed surprise at the margin but was optimistic that the association will be able to work with the new administration to boost the country's export sector.

The optimism, he said, was buoyed by recent utterances by Prime Minister-Elect Portia Simpson Miller, who in her capacity as Opposition leader and president of the PNP, attended a recent function of the exporters and promised that the export sector was high on the party's agenda.

"We actually met with her two weeks ago where we asked her to actually outline what would be the vision for export and I was happy that she actually did mention that a PNP administration would actually ensure that the national export strategy is actually implemented," said Evans, who indicated that outgoing prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness was unable to take up the association's invitation.

President of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) Brian Pengelley also congratulated the PNP on its win, while extending his congratulatory message to the JLP on what he described as a well conducted campaign. "I think it's a transition for Jamaica; congratulations to the people of Jamaica, as well, for what has been done," Pengelley said.

Pengelley said the JMA had a history of working with either party in driving manufacturing in Jamaica. "We had excellent relationships with the PNP when they were in government and we look forward to working together with them to drive the productive sector in Jamaica and get this country moving again," he added.

Milton Samuda, the president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), in extending congratulations to Simpson Miller, commented on her strength of character. "There is something special about Mrs Simpson Miller because in my lifetime the only other politician who has received the direct personal onslaught would be Edward Seaga, and he didn't survive it. For her to not only survive it but to return and triumph, I think requires study," he said. "There can be no mistaking the voice of the people and the Chamber of Commerce will work with the Government, especially on the growth agenda to ensure that the climate is created for growth," he said.

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COMMENTS (35)

Antonette W.
12/30/2011

@ Maroon C: If you are not pleased that the PNP are again in power, it's certainly your prerogatives to express your disappointment. Sadly, you seem to think it's OK to cut off your nose to spite your face. You were never really a true lover of Jamaica, for if you were, you would never make the statements you did. Are there no flaws in the country where you now reside? Anyway, Happy New Year to you, and may you one day wake up with warmer, more loving feelings for your birthplace!

Dan Chung
12/30/2011

sorry for the multiple posts folx.. I thot it was supposed to post instantly, so when i saw that it didn't, i did it again and again to see what the case was.. so sorry for the multiple posts folx.. I hope censorship is not the reason for the delay in posting, please

Village Voice
12/30/2011

Maroon C - You are the kind of embarrassment the country and her people need to avoid. When you uphold a government that blatantly lies to its electorate; sells the national assets; mortgages our international stature in defence of criminals; and enters into untenable arrangements with the IMF; you tell us exactly who you are - an unqualified ruffian descended from a long line of dunces.

12/30/2011

I wanna know, whats the story with Cedric Stewart vs Edmund Bartlett..From what I understand, Stewart was up, then at 10pm, over 2 hours after all the other counts were done, 5 boxes of votes came in and Bartlett ended up winning by 100 votes. I feel thats suspicious.I say to scrutinize and check those ballots good to make sure nothing fraudulent happened, like George Bush in 2000.. I'm all for a fair election but don't like suspicious things. Thank you, and big up Jamaica !!!!! <3

Anancy Bedward
12/30/2011

The JLP thought they had the election won before election day. Its very obvious that a lot of their MP's were out of touch with the day to day issues of their constituents. I hope the PNP realizes that most Jamaicans eligible to vote did not do so . I really wish they do not take this victory as a green light from the Jamaican people to do as they like. They better put Jamaica first and not just their supporters.

Peter Lawrence
12/30/2011

I was expecting a Holness victory, but Congrats to the very charismatic PSM, whose never-say-die character proved more appealing. Andrew had the Madison Avenue sheen, but couldn't crossit. Jcans are more educated now, if even by TV, being so cliose to USA. In retrospective weighting,Doing a Busta "Russian ships" by denying US spy plane only made contempt. Linking DUDUS/ Mannatt to Trafigura brought BIG "kiss teet". Even Buggery card could not crossit. Surprised but hopeful.

Basil Wright
12/30/2011

The time has come for some serious townall meeting in the communities to discuss the needs of the people. there are needs for security,lights,running water,road maintenance,safe school for young the list goes on. The power has been restore to you MRS. Miller enjoy your victory and have a happy birthday then roll up your sleeves get your cabbinet in order an get to work according to your election promices. Jamaican at home an away will be watching, just remember the power on social meadia ???.

12/30/2011

Congratulations to, MRS. Portia Miller on her victory for priminester of my birth country. I left jamaica at the age of 11 in the year 1977 from a verry poor neighbour hood in kingston 13. MRS. Miller was running back in those times our neighbour hood was PNP an still is today but, nothing has changed in over 34 years. MRS. Miller please remember that it is the vote of the poor that helps to secure your victory. the time has come for you an the PNP to help ease the suffering of the forgotten.

Imran Forbes
12/30/2011

Maroon C here. Wat kind of backward talk is that. It is obvious that We at home have moved beyond that type of counter productive and antisocial thinking. that type of commentary has no place in todays Jamaica. even if we share the same party alligance jamaicans are more mature politically to recognise talk that divides. what has happened is that the electrorate has spoken. so respect that.

Shawn Ivey
12/30/2011

I hope we all don't get sucked into the notion that government will help anyone. I am always weary of the politician who claim they will create jobs. The private sector creates jobs, government, any government, simply consume our hard earn resources. Power to the people. After 18 years of driving my beautiful home land into the ground, PNP gets another try...what are we thinking people? We should have voted out all the establishment politicians.

Cashea Bennett
12/30/2011

Clearly the Jamaican people have spoken and they choose the Right honorable Portia Simpson -Miller and her administration to form the next government. Where would the democracy be in this country if we the people did not have the constitutional right to choose between political parties to represent our government system? As for the Jamaicans who are residing overseas whom is very vocally about whom should from next government and who is very sad about a particular government becoming the government. These Jamaicans need to shut their mouths and stay out. Because it’s the Jamaican people that lives and work in Jamaica which is contributing towards the development of the country economy, paying the taxes, bearing the pain and burdens of the struggles of making our country a better tomorrow. We are the ones that should have the last SAY!!

lorna mclean
12/30/2011

congrats pnp, especially portia @ MAROON C----- you can never come back to Jamaica, nobody knows u and i dont think anyone wants to c u or get anything from you. make sure whereever u are those people never get tired of u and kick ur silly self back to Jamaica. u hypocrite!!!!

Twiny Twin
12/30/2011

@ maroon C. Stay where u are. Don't ever come back to JA. Backra days done. Ppl like u (classist) we don't need in our country. Bob & Bolt, 2 ppl who have given us our greatest legacy, were poor and hardworking. U rude and out of order. Few are more industrious & enterprising dan poor ppl. So don't dump us inna nuh category, we are so much more. And u a guh tyad fi see we face, cause we are always looking to better our lives. Be grateful that u have better circumstances than most.

george watson
12/30/2011

@maroon c, please pretty please, please come back home. We are going to miss you and your two cents. How is Jamaica going to survive without you and it?.
In the meantime, anyone who is attributing the PNP win to a moderate turnout must remember that a low voter turnout always favour the party in power.
It therefore means that if the voters had turned out in their numbers the JLP might well have been wiped out.

Sophia-Marrie Johnson
12/30/2011

If this government wants to be effective, then it must be honest, approachable and people friendly. It must ensure that jobs and pension are secure, health services and equal education accessible to all. I addition, ensure that jobs, road, water and light are not given/ implemented along party lines. One Ja we want- equal rights and justice for all.

Duque Molton
12/30/2011

Wake up Maroon C...........Poopyshow!!!

johnny gordon
12/30/2011

PSM talks of rebuilding hope in JA. Some of us already had hope in Ja so it may require more than that. Yes, give hope to the marginalized but the country on a whole requires growth and stability. You got the mandate PSM, so take charge and move this nation forward.

Dan cee
12/30/2011

Congratulations to the PNP on their unpsephological victory.Many a pollster, today, has lost serious credibility,and may be guilty of pondering. I choose not to mention any names however the psephological jungle we found ourselves in over the last 6 weeks especially made me miss the late Prof. Carl Sone even more. The lesson is stand up for what you believe in -be a person of principle, do not compromise your principles be you politician, police,teacher,judge , jury.

St. Ann
12/30/2011

@maroon C. Be graceful in defeat and what is very amazing, you don't even lived in Jamaica! We’ll never be like Haiti; we're our own people, Jamaicans! We have once again demonstrated true democracy in choosing our Government unlike Haiti. You're not a true Jamaican if you don't respect wishes of the people, we don't need Jamaicans with the likes of you, neither your stinking $$$s.

Wayne Soprano
12/30/2011

Maroon C- i wonder who will feel the pain of your actions of not sending any money? How did you restore Jamaica by being where you are? Stay there where ever you are, not even the die hard tribalists speak like that, you are an embrassment. Whatever P, we are all Jamaicans, yard or foreign fool.

easy eeh
12/30/2011

maroon C.
All Jamaicans won yesterday! The election was relatively peaceful and fair. This morning people woke up to a new government and are moving on with their lives. This is enough to give me hope that the country is moving in the right direction. I will continue to support my country in any way that I can. We need you help too... please reconsider.
Regards.

Authnel Reid
12/30/2011

@MAROON C. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.YOU WILL GET OVER YOUR HURT AND DISOPPOINTMENT SOON. AND YOU WILL VISIT PARADISE ON EARTH (JAMAICA) SOONER THAN YOU THINK..PEACE ONE LOVE ONE JAMAICA

Authnel Reid
12/30/2011

Clovis got so much ammunition for his caricature. He has Clive Mullings with his white bible preaching in the political wilderness. Mrs Holness punching out a crying Andrew Holness telling “Mi tell u yo should call the election so quick”. “Stay home and school the boys”. Show us the gays celebrating. And the regular family crying . How about mutty perkins crying with grip in hand leaving the country. Bishop Blair and Al Millers flock kissing then teeth, hurling abuse at them as they walk away.

Hugh Maxwell
12/30/2011

Maroon C, don't take it so personal. The best way to handle our politics is to be objective. The people voted and they have a reason for doing so. You have to respect that. It feels sweet when you do not have any affection to any political party..trust me. I did 'grow'with a dad and my mother only went to church and was a helper. So there is not affection to either PNP or JLP and it feels great to criticize any one at any time. Your party lose, it hott but hush!!!!!!!!!..smile

f d
12/30/2011

@ maroon C. - we don't need people like you in Jamaica. Continue to wash dishes and pick up garbage in "New-York"... We, the jamaican people are better than that. We are a people who require respect, and JLP blatantly lied to us (publicly so); they are arrogant and show no care for people's suffering. You need to wash your brain from mental-slavery. Western-Union is not all... there are hard working people in Jamaica

stanley buffett
12/30/2011

WOW WHAT A VICTORY FOR THE PNP, THE YOUN MP I HOPE HE UNDERSTAND HIS HISTORY,I REMEMBER THE DAYS PEOPLE LOOK DOWN ON THE RASTA TODAY THEY ARE LOOKING UP JAMAICANS WE CAME A LONG WAY FROM THE COLONIAL DAYS,JAMAICANS WE GOT IT IN US ALL WE GOT TO DO IS PUT IT OUT THERE I HOPE THE MP SHINE FOR THE FUTURE SHOW THE YOUTH WHAT YOU CAN DO MR CRAWFORD YOU ARE THE TOMMOROW, THERE WILL BE MANY BEHIND TO FOLLOW,WISH YOU ALL A BRIGHT 2012

maroon C.
12/30/2011

This is the worst day in the history of Jamaica, all our hard work to restore what this old guard had destroyed the last time around will now be erased and then the hungry, lazy *POOR* ppl will be crying again for us to rescue Jamaica from the Haiti like status. It sick my stomach to see those that will represent me as a Jamaican. I am so glad my mother of Father is not alive and living there because i will NEVER send another cent there through Western union and i will NOT visit for a long time.

Jay Brown
12/30/2011

Jamaica won, this was a very peaceful campaign, lets now work together to build Jamaica, that must be the priority.

carlos king
12/30/2011

Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. Mr. Milton Samuda, I agree with you that the resilience of Portia Simpson- Miller deserves to be studied. But one thing I know for sure is that man plans but God wipe out. I said it before and I will sad it again, Jamaica is a purpose drive country unlike most God intervenes directly from time to time. This is just such a time. We're are no backward, banana republic.

Hugh Maxwell
12/30/2011

Even though I was calling for Portia to step down. I must also be the one to accept that I took my hat off to and not be a sore loser. Congratulations Portia, you have silenced your critics in a very profound way. All the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

Authnel Reid
12/30/2011

The first order of business is for the incoming government to do an audit on all government ministries and agencies, especially the Department of Customs. Custom officers are crying out for an audit to be done at hat department.

wanda woeman
12/30/2011

Congratulations to the PNP for a well deserved win, despite what could be perceived as a personal and unfair onslaught, by this newspaper and its cartoonist against them in general and its leader and Mr. Peter Bunting in particular. I think the denigration was unrelenting and went well beyond the pale of fair and honest journalism. The latest attempt to vilify Mrs. S-M was the follow-up to her comments about a review of the homosexuality laws in the recent debate. The newspaper took it right down to the wire, and invited comments from the public which were bound to have a negative effect, given the homophobia of Jamaicans. They played us for fools and lost the game.

PL BOGLE
12/30/2011

Portia Simpson Miller is remarkable, outstanding and very strong Jamaican woman and she must be respected and commented going forward. Every true Jamaican should be very proud that our small country possesses a great giant of a woman. Let us all joint hands together and help our new leader to build a better Jamaica regardless of our political preference. The people have spoken, there’s a mandate for us to move forward.

Mike Williams
12/30/2011

Congratulation Mrs. Miller I am heading home today. Congratulation Jamaica for you continue history to uphold democracy to the fullest. I guess it shows that not only money and youthful exuberance is enough to be heisted on the people. A particular gentleman mention in recent column it would be another party by a safe margin. I guess the people spoke and the blind who live amongst us was of a different view prior to the result last night. Mr. Anderson was almost crucified for his prediction.

Joyce Haynes
12/30/2011

i hope they come thru we will see

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