Dear Editor,

Over the years there have been discussions concerning the relocation of JDF headquarters from Up Park Camp. However, like many Jamaicans, I was surprised to hear the prime minister announce that he has given permission to have the JDF headquarters relocated from Up Park Camp to Caymanas.

I am in no way questioning the right of an elected government to make such decisions. Neither am I commenting on the merits and demerits of the announced relocation. I am, however, concerned that our leaders continue to make major decisions purportedly on behalf of the nation without engaging in a national conversation and without consulting the key stakeholders.

For this reason, governance in Jamaica tends to be characterised and coloured by confusion, confrontation and cynicism. If it materialised, the relocation of the JDF will be one of the most significant occurrences in Jamaica’s history and will have far-reaching and wide-ranging consequence to the life and development of our country. The proposed relocation raises serious questions regarding national security and safety. Has there been proper discussion and consultation with the key stakeholders concerning the security and safety issues? Where is the consultation concerning preserving the historical and cultural significance of Up Park Camp? What are the social and economic imperatives that informed the announced relocation and what exactly is the proposed new development for the JDF lands?

The prime minister indicated that the land will be used for housing. This raised some obvious questions: Was an environmental impact assessment conducted and what are the findings? What are the implications and plans for sewage, garbage disposal, traffic management, health care and school placement in and around the vicinity? What is the cost of relocating the JDF headquarters and what is the source of the funds?

The highly successful implementation of the Jamaica Debt Exchange Programme should have indicated clearly to the government how important consultation and collaboration are to good governance and national development. The 100 per cent participation by financial institutions and the over 99.16 per cent participation by local debt holders have been hailed in international financial circles as unprecedented. It must not be missed that the successful debt exchange became a reality because there was intensive and extensive consultation and collaboration with the various stakeholders.

Orville Plummer

oaplummer@yahoo.com