Over its 11-year history there have been continuous laurels for the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), born out of the need for close monitoring of our economy while benefiting from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. The Crime Monitoring and Oversight Committee (CMOC) has been modelled on it, and there have been calls for the Education Transformation Programme to have a similar oversight committee.

At last Friday’s final quarterly EPOC press briefing, Chair Keith Duncan noted that Dr Peter Phillips, while serving as minister of finance in 2013, “heeded the call of civil society and actively guided and supported the establishment of EPOC under the joint chairmanship of Bank of Jamaica Governor (BOJ) Richard Byles and former BOJ Governor Brian Wynter”.

Duncan succeeded Byles as co-chair with Wynter, and in 2019 continued as sole chair. Team members at our shop were inspired by Duncan’s passionate resolve that the people of Jamaica must understand their economic status. He kept reminding that EPOC was monitoring “not the IMF plan, but Jamaica’s plan”. He used every possible mode of communication. His team, led by Althea Walters, pulled on the skills of Adtelligent and PROComm, and the media responded positively to his frank, down-to-earth updates. Duncan embraced our suggestion to go ‘Pon di Corner’ to engage ordinary Jamaicans in the understanding of our economic progress. Sharing in refreshments, citizens of our inner-city communities listened and asked questions, taking with them simply worded flyers.

At the briefing, Finance Minister Fayval Williams lauded the committee: “The commitment to responsible fiscal policy and prudent fiscal management by successive administrations since 2013 has delivered a reduction in public debt to 68 per cent of GDP [gross domestic product] — the lowest in almost 50 years — and our debt trajectory is on track to meet the target of 60 per cent of GDP by fiscal year 2026/27. Macroeconomic stability is now entrenched and key economic indicators are aligned to create a positive outlook for growth and development.”

We owe a debt of gratitude to Duncan and members of EPOC: Richard Lumsden, David Noel, Septimus Blake, Donovan Wignal, Helene Davis-Whyte, Jason Morris, Lenworth Fulton, Ralston Hyman, members of the Finance Ministry team: Terron Francis and Trevor Anderson, and members of the Bank of Jamaica team.

We need not be concerned at the closure of EPOC. Minister Willams announced that the Fiscal Commission, as directed by the Independent Fiscal Commission Act passed in 2021, will come into effect on January 1, 2025 and will be led by Courtney Williams in his capacity as fiscal commissioner.

Courtney Willams is a seasoned public servant who held a post at the IMF for three years. She noted: “The Independent Fiscal Commission is a permanent agency with a statutory mandate to assess publicly and independently from partisan influence a Government’s fiscal policies, plans, and performance against macroeconomic objectives related to the long-term sustainability of public finances and short- to medium-term macroeconomic stability.”

As the saying goes, “The reward for good work is more work,” and so Minister Williams announced the Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC) to be chaired by Duncan. “As it was with EPOC,” she said, “the Fiscal Advisory Committee will have representation from a wide cross-section of society, including the trade union movement, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Along with Mr Duncan, the committee will be served by Helene Davis-Whyte, immediate past president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; Nancy Pinchas, executive director of the Council of Voluntary Social Services; Dr Patrice Whitely, head of the Department of Economics at The University of the West Indies, Mona; and Kareem Tomlinson, managing director of GK Capital Management Limited.” Let us continue to follow the progress of the commission; it should continue keeping stakeholders on their toes, as did EPOC.

Remembering Valerie Facey

The members of the Jamaica Chapter of the International Women’s Forum are saddened at the passing of philanthropist Valerie Facey. We were inspired by her 60-year dedication to the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, her passion for ending child and gender abuse, and her wonderful joie de vivre.

On a visit to her homestead at Bellevue in St Ann, she shared the exciting romance which led to her marriage to her equally unforgettable husband, the late Maurice Facey. She showed us press clippings of the story of the young couple who were bent on getting married despite her American parents’ objections.

The Star had just been created and the story of their elopement, the notices in the press warning pastors not to officiate at their wedding because Valerie was underage, her declaration that she would prefer to go to prison rather than leave Jamaica created a nationwide buzz.

Details of the story were recounted by Observer Editor in Chief Desmond Allen on the occasion of the couples 60th anniversary at https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2013/04/21/valerie-and-maurice-facey-a-60-year-marriage-that-should-not-have-been/.

Valerie explained to us that their last resort was an appeal to the then Governor General Sir Hugh Foot to grant them permission to marry. When he did, the date of the wedding was awaited by hundreds of Jamaicans. On April 16, 1952, the handsome couple were married at St Andrew Parish Church and the streets were lined with onlookers, some of whom had climbed trees to get a closer look.

In Valerie, Maurice Facey gifted Jamaica a treasure. Valerie plunged into outreach activities, serving on the board of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf for 60 years. Her daughter, the famous artist Laura Facey, said her mother had a “fierce passion for her family — husband, children, grandchildren and great grands”.

Valerie campaigned with Laura against domestic abuse, bringing us together to watch Paddlin’ Spirit, a documentary about the cruelty of slavery and the continued abuse of women.

Her love of literature led her to the creation of the Mill Press, from which flowed exquisite books, including Belisario: Sketches of Character, the compelling poetry of her mother Juliette Rypinski and MG Smith, as well as the fascinating Adventures of James Ferguson.

On her 85th birthday, Valerie reflected to her IWF sisters that she had spent 67 of those years in Jamaica and described it as a blessing. In turn, she blessed Jamaica with extraordinary grace and wisdom.

We extend deepest sympathy to her family. May Valerie Facey’s soul rest in peace.

‘Crismus a come’

What a magical time Christmas is for us here in Jamaica. We salute all the organisations who are going the extra mile to bring Christmas cheer to the young, elderly, and needy. We understand that 60 per cent of sales in our stores take place during the Christmas season. Internet shopping may be convenient, but we have been seeing a great selection of items in our local stores. Bakers of Christmas cakes and other goodies need our support.

Kudos to Sister Benedict at Laws Street Trade Training Centre for her amazing baked goods and to Sister Susan Frazer at St John Bosco in Hatfield for the finest meats and quality catering.

It is a good time to ‘Buy Jamaican and build Jamaica’.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert, and seniors’ advocate. Se
nd comments to lowriechin@aim.com.