The dawn of a new year tomorrow will bring with it the customary feeling of renewal and a chance to correct what went wrong either in the previous 12 months or before.

It also offers hope of a better life, even as we celebrate the achievements of the year just ended.

But each new year also comes with its own challenges, and it is how we deal with those challenges that will define us, not only as individuals, but as a proud sovereign nation.

There’s no guessing that one of this country’s biggest challenges in 2016 will be parliamentary elections. After all, the prime minister rolled and marked the pitch late this year. She even declared boldly that she was ready for the match, staging a series of warm-up sessions only to avoid going out into the middle to face the bowling of the electorate just before Christmas.

It is, of course, her call as to when she will face that test, and that’s a constitutional provision with which we strongly disagree, but we will return to that at another time.

As it now stands, our focus is on ensuring that Jamaica comes out of the impending elections with its reputation for respecting democracy and upholding the rule of law intact.

But even as we prepare for that challenge, the Government, we believe, needs to give serious priority to solving this issue of contaminated gasoline that is affecting motorists across the island.

It is important, we feel, that the Government actually reviews, and not just talk about it — the mechanisms governing the landing, processing, delivery — and sale of petrol to avoid a repeat of this problem.

For it is our firm belief that a country must face its problems squarely, with honesty and courage. In a real sense, we will make 2016 what we will.

To that degree, we acknowledge that this country still faces many challenges, even as we accept that we have made significant forward strides as a nation.

Our resolve, though, is to avoid Jamaica going into a new year with pessimism. As such, we encourage all Jamaicans to focus on the opportunities that 2016 will bring. At the same time, we encourage the Government to avoid putting in place measures that will stifle those opportunities, particularly in the area of investments. For any such move will kill the very spirit of entrepreneurship that the country needs if it is to reverse the economic decline that has plagued us for too long.

As we did a few days ago in this space, we urge all Jamaicans to regard as their duty the fight against crime, and especially against the heartless scum who wreak havoc on the country.

For our part here at the Jamaica Observer, we recommit ourselves to our role as watchdog of governance as we will continue to call into question the actions of those who exercise authority and power.

We are resolute in our belief that a free press is vital to democracy and that our role in providing people with information is important in assisting them to make decisions that impact on their lives.

That said, we wish for all Jamaica, particularly our readers, God’s richest blessings, peace and prosperity for 2016.