Dear Editor,

It was with utter amazement that I read about the reason Shaggy had to cancel his concert held to aid the lone children’s hospital we have in this country. I was bewildered when he said one of the reasons he couldn’t host it is because Governor General of Jamaica Patrick Allen refused to allow the east lawn at King’s House to be used for parking.

Really! On what basis could the governor general have refused such a request? Is it that the grass will be damaged?

The governor general does not pay for the upkeep of King’s House out of his pockets. It’s the taxpayers of this country that do so. And it is the same taxpayers’ children that will use the Bustamante Children’s Hospital that the proceeds of the concert will go to helping.

To refuse to allow the concert organisers to use the lawns is a slap in the face of Jamaicans — an insult to the nation.

And, considering the rather uselessness of the office of governor general it becomes even more insulting.

Shaggy, through his work on behalf of the children’s hospital is of infinite more value to this country than the office of governor general ever will be. This is a relic of the past that we can very well do without. The office adds nothing that we can’t do without as a country. On the other hand, $100 million we cannot do without for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital. Can the governor general’s office raise that much for anything?

The governor general should remember that, while he serves at the pleasure of The Queen, ultimately it is the taxpayers of this country who pay him for doing next to nothing.

It’s a disgrace that the governor general could have done such an unforgivable thing. Where is his compassion for children? Does he think he owns King’s House?

Maybe it’s high time he vacates that office and let the Government appoint someone who doesn’t share his “high and mighty” attitude. He should pack up and go home.

Fabian Lewis

tyronelewis272@gmail.com