Dear Editor,

I am truly elated at the recognition given by your newspaper by way of your March 3 editorial to the Minister of Finance Audley Shaw for the outstanding job he has done in restoring the financial sector to some form of hope after the shambles it was left in by the previous administration.

It is especially pleasing to me because I was the only person who publicly came out in full support of his appointment to the post of finance minister from day one, and he has completely fulfilled my expectations, especially as it applies to the acquisition of loans at interest rates not even thought of by former minister, Omar Davies.

Audley Shaw’s demeanour oozes confidence and self-assurance and these attributes, combined with his previous business experience, made his success as an outstanding finance minister a given, but I suppose that after 181/2 years of inept handling of the country’s finances most people were expecting more of the same.

I recall how the minister was given two other ministers to assist him, and his many detractors felt that it was because of some perceived weakness in his ability to manage the job, but like a true champion full of self-confidence, he set out to do what he promised the electorate he was going to do, and so far he has kept almost all of his promises, except one in particular.

I am calling on the minister to look into the cost of utilities because I cannot forget his saying on many of his campaign speeches that the cost of electricity and telephone services in Jamiaca is like paying mortgage and whenever he got into office that is one thing he was going to look into.

May I close by asking God to continue to provide the minister with the wisdom and the strength to navigate Jamaica out of the financially treacherous waters it finds itself in today.

Ken Spencer

PO Box 537

Kingston 8