AMONG the more annoying aspects of governance in Jamaica is the pervasive tendency for flawed or inadequate communication, monitoring and consultation between agencies.

To use the language of the average Jamaican there are too many cases of ‘left han’ nuh know weh right han’ a do’.

The issue came starkly to mind last week with news that the police were moving to shut down illegal vending and other illegal activities on the streets of West Central Kingston.

No one can dispute the right of the police to seek to maintain good order in downtown Kingston; to clear the streets of illegal activity and to do whatever is necessary to facilitate the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

It’s no secret that clogged streets, particularly in sections of West Central Kingston have proven down the years to be a nightmare for the security forces seeking to prevent criminality and/or apprehend criminals; and/or to rush the ill or injured to hospital. A police officer was captured on national television last week making that exact point in graphic fashion.

In this post-Dudus period, the police and indeed all agents of the State must have easy access if they are to stamp and maintain their authority in the Capital’s downtown. So to the extent that this police operation increases the sense of good order in Downtown we are all for it.

But what is clear is that all those who should have been on board for this operation were not singing from the same hymn book.

First, we had the mayor of Kingston, Mr Desmond McKenzie protesting that the police did not consult with his agency, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) which has responsibility for markets and vending areas in the capital city, before deciding on their operation.

Next, we heard from the displaced vendors, who had protested vehemently against the police operation, that there was actually no place for them to go. Reports in the media including graphic television pictures appeared to suggest that the areas designated for the vendors were filthy and entirely unsuitable.

Then on Friday, Mr McKenzie is reported as having told vendors that accommodation would be available for some of them in a section of the Coronation Market being renovated with funding provided by telecommunications giant Digicel. We are told that this renovated section would be ready on October 23.

We are also told in a Saturday Observer report that the mayor plans to meet with Police Commissioner Owen Ellington to discuss the clean-up operations and the effect on vendors.

“I have written to the police commissioner seeking a meeting to look at the way forward,” the mayor reportedly told the vendors.

Why, we have to ask, didn’t this meeting take place a week or two ago?

We will never succeed as a nation if those in leadership continue to operate with such discordance and thoughtlessness.