IT is refreshing that Parliament has changed the rules for the sectoral debates, limiting the amount of time allotted to speakers. It did not work too badly for the first time, although some speakers who still believe that making lengthy speeches is a great virtue appeared frustrated.

We would not want to limit speakers to two minutes, but we should never forget President Lincoln’s monumental, earth-shaking, unforgettable, and immortal two-minute speech at Gettysburg. The philosophy is, if you have something to say do so with dispatch, without the whistles and bells. The insistence must be on quality and brevity not grandstanding.

Apart from the economy of time, those who wish to listen to these speeches will now be spared the harangue and boredom that are often their defining features. Listeners are not impressed with the level of pontification or self-promotion that they represent. It is gratifying that the new rules came into force during the presentation of Anthony Hylton, the minister of industry, Z and commerce, as the public was spared the boredom and tediousness of a long speech. Some would argue that even an hour was long for someone like Hylton, a man obviously given to laborious speeches and from whom inspiring speeches are as scarce as hen’s teeth.

But Hylton has portfolio responsibility for a ministry that is very critical to the Government’s and Jamaica’s growth agenda. His ministry is a very important linchpin in the development of a logistics hub for Jamaica with all its important linkages. So, despite the sedating effects of his speeches, he needs to be listened to.

The minister has spoken repeatedly about a logistics-centred Jamaica, but so far the country is yet to see any concrete evidence that we are on the road to such a society. There is an abundance of promise and optimism, but when the minister speaks he does so with the kind of assurance that is intended to give him personal comfort, but which leaves the rest of us befuddled and asking the question “What?”

Take the memorandum of understanding to be signed between the Krauck Systems and the government for the execution of logistics-related projects. By the time this article is published Hylton, on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, might well have already signed this memorandum. This, despite the concern that the Opposition, the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) and members of the society have about it. We are talking about a US$5-billion investment — the biggest that Jamaica may have ever undertaken.

Hylton says that the Cabinet has signed off on it, yet no mention was made of it in the budget presentations of the minister of finance and prime minister. Given our politicians’ penchant for grandstanding and back-slapping, such a humongous and earth-shaking project would not have been allowed to go virtually unnoticed by the public. Not at a time when the gears will soon be revved up for the soon-to-come general election.

Something smells here; and the Opposition is right to oppose it. The concern of the OCG is similarly well placed. If the Cabinet has been really well apprised of the project, why the secrecy? Don’t the people on whose behalf they act not have a right to information on such an endeavour? And, could it not benefit from robust public discussion? If the public was allowed the privilege of discussing it there are salient questions that would be asked. For example, what are the projects to be undertaken? What are the timelines for their implementation? How will they be financed? What is the performance history of the principals who will be asked to execute them? Most importantly, what sacrifice or responsibility would be expected from the people of Jamaica in this matter?

These are things that should be clear to the people of Jamaica before any memorandum of understanding is signed. But do Hylton and the Government of which he is a part care about what the people think? The culture of elitist politics, as we have practised it in Jamaica, is that the governors always know what is best for the people. The governed are mere serfs who must be bled for tribute money to ensure the longevity of the governors in power. Only a government that has contempt for what the people think would undertake a project of this magnitude without levelling with them as to what is in it for them. We have seen in the past where this culture of political elitism has hurt this country. The sale of Jamaica Public Service to Mirant is a case in point, not to mention the sale of the Air Jamaica Heathrow airport slot and other such travesties.

If Hylton signs the memorandum and things work out for the benefit of the country I will be the first to applaud him and the Government. But I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach about this one. The secrecy in which it has been shrouded frightens me because we have gone down this road of non-transparency in decisions regarding major projects before, and we have had to pay too terrible a price for doing so. We know that the egos of politicians often drive them to do things that would make them score big for themselves and the party they represent. But they must be advised that they are not running a country club or a pig pen, but a country. If this thing blows up in the face of this Government it is not the PNP that will be hurt but the people of Jamaica. Tread cautiously on this one.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest and social commentator. Comments: stead6655@aol.com