Columns

Garfield Higgins

Sunday, July 09, 2017

Proverb: Pit inna di sky, it fall inna yuh y'eye

Translation: If you spit into the sky, it falls into your eye.

Explanation: What you do to, or wish for others, could eventually be the cause of your own downfall. Be careful of how you treat others.

Jamaica is still suffering with many of the consequences of the economic dust bowls that were created in the 1970s and 1990s. Were it not for those two periods of ruinous economic experiments, presided over by the People's National Party (PNP), our country today, in all likelihood, would have regained its rightful status as the “pearl of the Caribbean”.

Several months ago I said Jamaica's best days were ahead. I am being proven right. Notwithstanding the lime juice political strategy of the PNP, investor confidence remains high and the vast majority of Jamaicans have refused to buy into the 'sky is falling' tactics of some from the inner sanctum in Norman Manley's party.

These excerpts from a recent press release out of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) indicate that our fiscal state is very healthy:

“Jamaica continues to meet all structural benchmarks under the precautionary Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“In a statement today [June 27, 2017], EPOC said all IMF targets up to the end of May have been met.

“According to EPOC, the Government has also met the seven structural benchmarks for public sector transformation, public bodies and public service reform through end-May 2017.

“EPOC notes that recurrent expenditure for the first month of the fiscal year fell marginally below budget by one-billion dollars, while capital expenditure exceeded budget by $4.4 million.

“EPOC also says the primary surplus target at end of April is $6.6 billion.

“This exceeded the Government-set target of $5.8 billion by $820 million.

“EPOC says revenue performance continues to be strong with figures showing tax revenue intake exceeding $33 billion in April 2017.” ( Nationwide News Network, June 27, 2017)

While those who suffer with stage four Jamaica House Withdrawal Syndrome spew direct and subliminal messages of doom and gloom in the hope that this will alleviate their wrenching political pain, reputable investors inside and outside our shores are seeing Jamaica as an opportunity must-stop.

This story in The Gleaner of July 4, 2017, titled 'Growth & jobs couldn't be more friendly — Hotelier gives thumbs up to Jamaica's business climate', should serve as another warning to those fixated on personal political aggrandisement.

“Reiterating his company's commitment to invest some US$1 billion in several hotel projects, totalling 5,000 rooms on Jamaica's northern coast, Karisma Hotels & Resorts Chairman Rafael Feliz said Jamaica business climate could not have been friendlier to investors.

“Felix, who was speaking at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for 149 new suites at the luxury high-end Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica, last Thursday, added that not only is his company here to stay, but feels Jamaica's tourism is on an upward spiral and on course to becoming the first-choice destination in the region.

“ 'We have to take our hats off to the Jamaican authorities for their understanding of the importance of tourism to development,' he noted. 'Our Sugarcane project, which will see some 5,000 rooms over the next few years, is well on stream, and we are happy to be doing our part in contributing to this wonderful tourism product.' ”

I have long argued that one of the best ways to reduce crime in the society is for Government to create the environment in which the majority of people who want jobs can create or access job opportunities. This Administration understands the adage, “The busy man is troubled with but one devil: the idle man by a thousand.”

Last Monday, GraceKennedy, one of the most estimable local companies, announced that it will be expanding its home operations. I have lived in Jamaica all my life, I know that when GraceKennedy issues a commitment it is as good as money in the bank. Scores of Clarendonians would have been excited to see this article, titled 'Grace Foods to open sixth manufacturing plant', in The Gleaner last Monday. The story said, inter alia:

“GK Foods & Services Ltd, a subsidiary of GraceKennedy Limited, will be opening its sixth manufacturing plant in Jamaica next year.

“The new facility will produce a range of conveniently portioned and packaged locally grown fruits and vegetables primarily for export markets.

“The 60,000 square-foot facility, to be situated in Denbigh, Clarendon, contains a specialised agro-processing production line that will be augmented with newly acquired equipment and fully commissioned by mid-2018, according to a release from GraceKennedy.

“A range of locally grown products will be further processed into value-added finished products.

“The release said a total of $215 million will be spent on the acquisition of agro-processing equipment, installing blast-freezing capability, refurbishing, and upgrading the facility and property, implementing a wastewater management system and funding product research and development.

“ 'We have been working toward this acquisition since late 2015, and I am pleased that we can now officially put this well-placed facility to productive use. This plant, our sixth manufacturing plant in Jamaica, will be another channel for farmers to supply goods that are in high demand in North American and UK markets,' said Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy.

“Wehby said they expect to create employment for up to 70 persons.” ( The Gleaner, July 3, 2017)

I am betting on Jamaica. I have plenty of company. Those who talk down Jamaica, because the people rejected them on February 25, 2016, are involved in an intellectual Ponzi scheme. They would do well to revisit what happened to Carlos Hill and Bernie Madoff.

This news item hopefully would have enabled them to assemble enough cranial fortitude to extricate themselves from certain failure.

“A report from the Financial Times has named Jamaica as the top-performing island economy worldwide for business friendliness.

“The report, published last week, also places Jamaica in the top 10 for connectivity, human capital and lifestyle.

“It notes the business process outsourcing, tourism, agriculture, and logistics as Jamaica's strongest sectors.

“It says the Jamaican Government is working to expand the road and highway network, which is critical to attracting high-value investments and improving Jamaica's overall economic performance.

“ Site Selection Magazine also acknowledged the country last month in its Global Best to Invest, Caribbean and Latin American Rankings, where Jamaica placed top 10 in total number of investment projects in the region.

“Jamaica also received further accolades last week after being ranked the leading host economy in the English-speaking Caribbean in the World Investment Report.”

The PNP needs to understand that lime juice politics is invariably a losing political strategy. When they pursued the 'red yeye' attack with regard to Andrew Holness and his unfinished house, I predicted that the outcome would have been politically disastrous. I was proved right. I suspect the PNP will not listen to me, but maybe they might give an ear to the words of comrades Lisa Hanna and Derrick Kellier.

Recall, these powerful political uppercuts delivered by Lisa Hanna while her party staggered against the ropes:

“ 'Today, the PNP appears to be a relic of the past, with obsolete messages desperately trying to appeal to a generation whose sights are set on their future. We are disconnected by deep chasms of brutal internal conflicts and division. The courage that once epitomised the movement has been replaced by fear from being bludgeoned into submission from having an independent view. Comrades are now quiet; resolved to whispers so as not to be labelled subversive, and the internal structures no longer function.' “ ( Sunday Observer, April 3, 2016)

Recall also this political forecast by Derrick Kellier, former part-time agriculture minister: “ 'Our political machinery has broken down badly, and that's why we are where we are today… We will have to climb Mount Everest to get back to where we were,' Kellier told delegates at the party's regional executive council of Region Six meeting at John Rollins Success Primary School in Rose Hall, St James.

“ 'Going forward is not going to be easy… we are in a state of flux, we are all about power, personal power, and personal aggrandisement and one-upmanship, that is what we are about. We are no longer a cohesive force that can deliver the knockout punch to the Opposition and can spread the word of hope and progress to the people,' he said.

“ 'We have to be baptised again. We need a refresher so that we can 'wheel and come again' in the true sense, because you should not take this Labour Party in power lightly. If you take them lightly you are making a very serious mistake,' he stressed.” ( Observer, May 30, 2016)

Political dandy shandy in Central Kingston

In the Sunday Observer of March 26, 2017 I wrote, among other things: “Incidentally, the birds, the ubiquitous Black-bellied Plovers, John Chewits and Banana Quits warble that Deacon Thwaites is not a political favourite of the incoming party president. Is it that Thwaites is to be sidelined for someone whose surname begins with a 'G'?”

A recent midday news item on Mello FM noted that Thwaites was under pressure to leave Central Kingston. Thwaites, in the news item, retorted “Rumours of my death are much exaggerated.”He was quoting the American author, Mark Twain. The birds are tweeting that I should listen out. More anon!

Hopscotch in T&T politics

Prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, last week revoked the appointment of Marlene McDonald, who was recently sworn in as a minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities after a 16-month period of absence from the Cabinet. McDonald was reportedly seen in the company of an alleged gangster.

Speaking from the perspective of a Jamaican and Caribbean citizen, I believe Dr Rowley did the right thing. I wonder if Dr Peter Phillips would make a similar decision if he were faced with a similar set of circumstances. I have long made public the view that politicians who cavort with and/or attend the funerals of dons, also called community leaders, need to be disqualified from holding political office. I maintain that position.

PS: I read student Christopher Burns' missive last Sunday. It reminded me of a comment by Dr Samuel Johnson, English lexicographer, and essayist: “Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.” I gather the weather is great in Canada this time of the year.

Proverb: Yuh cyaan siddung pan cow back cuss cow 'kin.

Translation: You cannot sit on the back of the cow and curse the skin of the cow.

Explanation: We should not disparage others. Worse yet, we should never be ungrateful to, or disdainful of, those who help us.

Garfield Higgins is an educator; journalist; and advisor to the minister of education, youth and information. Send comments to the Observer or higgins160@yahoo.com.