JOHNS HALL, St James — While he has described Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ proposed ministry of peace and human development as overdue, Opposition Leader Mark Golding has cautioned that the move, by itself, will not be effective.

“It is just a reorganisation of existing departments and agencies of government and putting them under a single ministry. That alone is not going to make a difference, but I am not objecting to it,” stated Golding.

“They should streamline the Government in the way they think it should be streamlined to be effective in the interest of the people. They have been in office for over seven years now, so they should have done this long ago,” stated Golding.

He was responding to questions posed by journalists on Wednesday following a spot meeting at Johns Hall in St James East Central. The queries came on the heels of Sunday’s announcement by Holness that he was mulling the creation of a new ministry as a mechanism to curb violence.

“We have commissioned a study on it, which we should get by the end of this year. And when that study comes in we’re going to reorganise the Government to create and bring all the agencies that deal with families, communities, social development, parenting, we’re going to bring all of them together under one ministry,” Holness said at the Jamaica Labour Party’s 80th annual conference at the National Arena in St Andrew.

“I’m thinking of calling it the Ministry of Peace and Human Development, but maybe that won’t be the name, but we need a ministry that is focused on reducing the level of violence in our society,” he said.

Golding, who said he has no issue with whatever name is ultimately chosen, was more focused on whether it will reap results.

“I can’t tell you that it will work. I don’t believe that this Government is very good at making things work,” quipped Golding.