CDF gives MPs flexibility — Derrick Smith

Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:52 AM

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CDF gives MPs flexibility - Derrick Smith

Saturday, November 07, 2009

MEMBER of Parliament and deputy leader of the governing Jamaica Labour Party Derrick Smith has defended the introduction of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), stating that it gives MPs flexibility to provide services to their constituents at short notice.

SMITH. the CDF is an excellent idea

Acknowledging that the CDF was not viewed favourably by the media, Smith insists that the fund has been of great help, especially to the poor.

"It's not popular with the media if one can go by the editorials (in both major newspapers)," Smith said. "People writing those editorials sit in an air-conditioned office, they have no idea what happens to normal poor people on the ground.

"The CDF is an excellent idea. It allows the MP some flexibility in doing small things which normally would not be done - in the short run at least - for constituents," Smith said recently.

Smith, a former security minister, who has represented North West St Andrew in Parliament for the past 20 years, was addressing a luncheon for the staff of the Salvation Army School for the Blind at the Alhambra Inn in St Andrew.

Smith promised to assist the institution - the only specialist school for the blind and visually impaired in Jamaica - with an improved security system from his CDF allocation.

The CDF was introduced last year by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, replacing the similar Social and Economic Support Programme under the previous administration. Initially each MP was allocated $40 million, but this was slashed to $20 million with the onset of the economic recession.

Smith also said he would consider helping the school with Braille machines which help blind and visually impaired persons with reading. He also promised to meet with education minister Andrew Holness to discuss the feasibility of putting Braille machines in some public libraries.

Principal Clement Erharuyi commended the board, staff and students for their performance in exams despite the shortage of Braille machines and reading volunteers. He gave special thanks to board chairman Neville 'Teddy' McCook for his leadership of the institution away from a position of possible closure.

Recalling some of the success stories of the school, the principal noted that there were three graduates of the school at the University of the West Indies and another two at the Mico University College.

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