The country appears to be going through a moment of reckoning with all the seeming elements of “misfortune”. Misfortunes happen every day to everyone, everywhere, even in developed countries, and I suspect in outer space. Since we know misfortunes are bound to happen, we should be prepared for them based on previous experience or knowledge, and manage them.

What has been happening with the recent fire at Mavis Bank, the Riverton fire, and the CHIKV epidemic have shown a clear lack of leadership. There were insufficient words of understanding, assurance, empathy, or plans being formulated and presented for implementation to mitigate the fallout from these “body blows”.

These are the instances in which leadership could shine. The prime minister could have gone on location and shown some empathy. This would have served to indicate that the leadership is feeling the results of the smoky haze from Riverton as much as the ordinary tax-paying citizen. What these fires and CHIKV presented was the great extent to which we cannot manage or find resources to deal with such critical matters.

This particular knowledge is not new. And if we assume that in order to get resources we will have to go ask some other country for it, or that we are waiting to be invited so we can organise the list of things we need from our host, this is no way to run a country.

Jamaica has been declining in every aspect of its society, economy and culture, since gaining Independence 53 years ago. A future was not then envisioned by the political leadership; the status quo ruled. All the local politicians considered was to continue whatever was there when they were elected.

Consider the prime minister’s statement about her then CEO at the National Solid Waste Management Authority after the last big fire at Riverton, She said her CEO did “nothing”, therefore she is not at fault for the fire. It is clearly a policy approach of the prime minister to put people who do “nothing” to run ministries. If one does an assessment of most ministries in the government, this is the case. They do nothing, save to try to maintain whatever is going on when they got elected. They do nothing new, have no plans or visions. What do they expect to happen if the job is only to come to work in the morning and do what was done the day before?

The British vision for Jamaica was to produce as much sugar and other primary raw materials that could generate a value to the English society, in all matters of commerce. I wonder which Jamaican legislator or politician knows that it was English policy for hundreds of years to prevent any value-added industry that might compete with their home state in the north sea. The Jamaican Government has continued that policy of only primary production of every raw material in Jamaica, with very few exceptions. So when the English sailed out of Kingston Harbour on August 6, 1962, there must have been not just a sigh of relief on board, but in Whitehall as well. Jamaica would not be a threat to their industry.

We see the lack of knowledge of the Jamaican politicians about our weak state in governance and education. Who knew that after both Emancipation and Independence, millions of former slaves had shackles removed and were released into the unknown vacuum of governance, and “government of the people by the people”, said to be a democracy, nothing would change? What did they do about this? Nothing! Just as they are doing now. This is like taking someone who has never flown an aeroplane and giving him a brand new Air Bus 320 and telling him that he can now fly it with passengers anywhere.

The mix-up of governance since Independence has been a paradox of sorts. Jamaica has been able to achieve international fame for two things that would not have been chosen as winning industries at Independence: Athletics, mostly dominance in track and field, and culture through the music, something the government has failed to capitalise on to date.

Jamaicans, almost without exception, have been outstanding at anything they do outside of Jamaica, which says the most about the governance. So, I can only say that the people who are in government, and the old money capitalist merchant, have been fighting to maintain a business model that is centuries old and no longer relevant.

With Independence, the social responsibility of health care, housing, education, infrastructure, and other elements that make up the thing called good governance have not been maintained; not just from a lack of management and financial resources, but because there was never a vision from the political leadership of how to create value for these things. The only tried and tested means they knew of creating value was to take it from others, and this policy was what was in place from the English at independence — taxes. The leaders who showed up after Independence expected that the system in place would last forever, like the English before them, until profitability was taken from the slave trade and sugar by American competition. So we have been foundering with the wrong leaders who are more interested in personal legacies instead of the almost three million Jamaicans who were the creators of value called Jamaica to date.

With the failure of the leaders, the political system is called into question. The present constitution does not allow for accountability, gives absolute power to individuals to make or break laws, and fosters constant rivalry among a select few to gain State power, with the moniker that they can only serve the electors if elected to carry out their wishes. However, I think that that particular axiom is flawed. Fifty years have demonstrated that the Jamaican people are more than capable of overcoming obstacles in every aspect of life when given the opportunity.

In track and field and music the Jamaican Government has had nothing to do with their success, development or implementation. Even now, when one considers if music was taught in all schools, as track and field is, we might be the “mecca” of reggae. Unfortunately, reggae is now Japanese and German, American, or whoever takes it seriously. It now belongs to the world, while the humble Jamaican remains the object of admiration to millions worldwide, known for their music and lyrics, not the Jamaican politician.

Our leaders, as a collective, have failed completely since Independence to recognise that whatever path we chose after Independence would have to start with a massive education programme, sacrifice from those who were in a position to support economically, technical expertise for the hands-on items of governance and, perhaps most of all, lessons in governance. Hindsight suggests that an apprenticeship period would have been useful for the politicians before Independence — c’est la vie. None of the leaders of Independence were inclined to admit or agree that they know nothing of how a government operated. Stories of ministers placing State funds into their personal accounts, using State resources to start enterprises for their personal profit, or agents of the State enriching themselves and their families were the norm. To this day, there are stories of politicians using their office for personal gain. Look at the example of the Hanover Parish Council mayor who, to this writer, is suggesting that she did not know it was not allowed and what she did was the norm. This is no way to run a country.

Another election is coming up next year, and it cannot be business as usual. The lack of management and accountability from both of the political “tribes”, in addition to the more rapid breakdown of the government structures, does not bode well for any incoming administration. Ironically, I happen to know that there are many very qualified and capable people in government, both the administration and civil service, so the problem we are having is in the leadership and its management of our (the people’s) resources.

I wish to articulate, as the Chinese — who the current Administration considers their saviour — have many sayings and proverbs, one of which is: “The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” My fellow Jamaicans, we need to make the first step. It is not a good idea to have a weak or uninformed leader. Our leaders must be selfless, good judges of character, trustworthy, and keep us honestly informed, before implementing plans, not after they are contracted. Trust is required of our leadership now, more than ever. And trust, once lost, is not easily regained, even by example.

I wish to put forward the following, even if no one else wants to say so, for Jamaica’s first step out of our political betrayal:

1) MPs must live in their constituencies, it is the only way they can be familiar with the conditions there. And the practice of politicians using tax dollars to do work in their constituencies creates a relationship of benevolence which is unwarranted. The money belongs to all Jamaicans, not any one constituency. The MP is to represent his constituency in Parliament, creating laws that will benefit not only his constituency, but every Jamaican. He must do this by ensuring that laws are passed that allow everyone equal opportunity, even those from opposing parties

2) Prime ministers must have a proven record of leadership, sound management, be demonstrably trustworthy, well read, and be able to make hard decisions and not fear articulating their ideas to the public. They must remember they work for us, not the other way around.

3) The civil service must be removed from political interference. Politicians should never be allowed to dictate to technocrats who will get roads or water; this should be done based on evaluation criteria defined and agreed in Parliament. This way everyone will get their fair share and pay their fair share.

4) My last and biggest requirement for this next election requires constitutional change. Ministers of government must be recognised leaders in the particular field which the ministry represents. The reason for Parliament is to ensure that the actions of the minister are within the laws of the land and benefit all the people of the country, as well as being the policy (vision) of the Administration of the country. I cannot and will not have Roger Clarke (May he rest in peace) represent me (Jamaica) in the 100-metre race when Usain Bolt exists and can win. I have respect for his work and devotion to his party and country, but three million Jamaicans need to win, not keep losing.

I hope others will demand that politicians articulate what they are planning to do when elected, and that they will not go into hiding once elected as is their tradition, but come into the community after election to start in earnest the dialogue with everyone required for a democracy to work.

Also, when MPs are relieved of ministerial duties they can pay more attention to the matters they were elected for. This means that all MPs must forego the practice of having the requirement to do business with the government as an elected or appointed government member waived. The practice is a violation of the trust the people have placed in them with the money we pay in taxes, pay them, and sacrifices we make. In other words, we need Jamaican patriots in government, not more party faithfuls.

Hugh M Dunbar is an architect. Send comments to hmdenergy@gmail.com.