Dear Editor,

The current controversy surrounding the Constituency Development Fund suggests the need to revisit the question of community organisation and the involvement of citizens at the local level of governance. Jamaicans pioneered the idea of community development, beginning with NW Manley and Jamaica Welfare more than 70 years ago, and we have received world recognition for this work. However, by allowing this bedrock of democracy to be fractured and misused we have retarded national development and made life miserable for the masses.

Edward Seaga did tremendously good work in community development; and in the 1970s there were serious efforts to encourage self-reliance and people-based community activity. Unfortunately, Seaga’s master plan was abandoned by his successors who themselves failed when political ideology was made a part of the process.

The Constituency Development Fund, which can be regarded as a component of community development, is under fire largely because it is not part of a comprehensive plan to emphasise the role of the people and their non-political organisations. Too many of those in government regard their political administration as the sole repository of wisdom; and that we the people are unable to think and act for ourselves even at the community level. Self-reliance, independence and true nationalism cannot prosper in such an environment.

Ken Jones

Kensjones2002@yahoo.com