Dear Editor,

I welcome the announcement made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that changes will be made to the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) to enable more families in need of support to be identified for benefits.

The prime minister told a media conference recently that the Government has decided that it is going to do a massive overhaul of PATH to ensure that the beneficiary identification system is far more targeted than it is now.

I am of the view that PATH is among the most important initiatives in the country and could do with a significant improvement in its reach.

Holness told the media briefing that too often, when he visits communities, there are complaints regarding the programme and eligibility for qualification.

I was encouraged when he went on to state that there is clearly a refining that needs to happen in the entire beneficiary identification system for PATH and the Government will address the issue to ensure that the system is picking up more of those people in the society who are genuinely in need of social safety net support.

I recall Holness indicating that prior to transitioning from this life, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga told him, “Do not forget the poor.” It pleases me that the prime minister appears not to have forgotten Mr Seaga’s wise words.

The New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), which has so far reportedly delivered houses to over 150 Jamaican families in need, is additional evidence of this. Keep going, Prime Minister.

Bernard Headley

bernard.headley@yahoo.com