SENATOR Kamina Johnson Smith, chair of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Manifesto and Achievements Committee, has described as successful the roll-out of its compilation of achievements and said the party will, in the coming days, intensify efforts to ensure that uncommitted voters are further sensitised to the work of the Administration.

“We were very pleased with the positive reception and requests for even more information, but we will not rest on our laurels,” said Johnson Smith, who had joined JLP Leader and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on the streets of Jamaica last Wednesday handing out the list of achievements compiled in a booklet to Jamaicans as they went about their daily business.

The physical distribution of the booklets was accompanied by a digital launch of the document online and a media conference.

“We will be consistent in communicating that the Jamaica Labour Party has used its time at the wicket to implement programmes and policies which have been and will continue to be beneficial to the people of Jamaica. The fact that even though the list is not exhaustive, we were able to include 256 achievements, [which] speaks to our track record of hard work, not talk,” she said.

“We do, however, recognise that we have to do more for Jamaicans and we want to assure them that they can take these achievements as proof that we will get it done,” added Johnson Smith.

“Distribution of the achievements document will continue apace. In fact, we have had to consider printing additional copies, given the high demand. We will also intensify circulation of the document online,” Johnson Smith explained.

She said that all party representatives, including those who will be contesting the general election and their campaign teams, are familiar with the work of the Administration, which is detailed in the booklet and “will be able to reason with voters in door-to-door exercise”.

“No doubt our traditional media campaign will begin in due course and, of course, a key part of that is a commitment to do more for the Jamaican people,” Senator Johnson Smith shared.

She also described as a rewarding experience the work of compiling the list.

“It really struck me during the process that under the leadership of Prime Minister Holness the Jamaica Labour Party Administration has been really successful by all objective standards. This is not an attempt to boast at all, but the Government has racked up historic performances in several areas, so it is important that we speak about it,” said Johnson Smith, who is also the minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade.

She pointed to some of the achievements highlighted in the booklet, among them a reduction in the unemployment rate “from 13.2 per cent to a record low 3.3 per cent, a record low poverty rate of 8.2 per cent confirmed earlier this year, and the more than 40 per cent reduction in murders — a 30-year low”, describing them as “historic”.

“Some people like to play down these statistics as just figures, but the fact is that the data show that more people are working and able to provide for their families and more lives are being saved from a violent end — that is nearly 300 fewer murders this year compared to last year. We know that there are many communities which are feeling the benefits of peace for the first time in decades, even though we know there is more to do,” she said.

“It’s a good thing to acknowledge progress where policies are benefiting Jamaicans in substantial and impactful ways, and sometimes in ways which have not happened before,” Johnson Smith reasoned.

Exuding confidence that the JLP will be returned to the helm of government, Johnson Smith said the Administration has also governed Jamaica with a conscience during a challenging global environment, which has affected the cost of living locally.

“Part of our case is that we have been skilful and conscientious managers of the country. We have kept the inflation rate within or in close proximity to the recommended band. We have kept the dollar stable,” she said while acknowledging that Jamaica has not fully escaped the effects of global shocks, including inflation spikes, the explosion in food prices, and the cost of services across some sections of the world.

“We have also been very intentional about giving back to the people through PATH [Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education], income tax credits, increases in the PAYE threshold, new social pension, and increases to the minimum wage,” she said, adding that this amounted to implementing policies that make life easier for many Jamaicans.

The senator also pointed to a 158 per cent increase in the minimum wage, a $20-billion care/welfare programme during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least three revisions in the income tax threshold, the reverse income tax credit, and the solidarity programme as among the initiatives implemented by the Government which, she said, “demonstrate its care for the people beyond merely maintaining macroeconomic stability”.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and Health Minister Christopher Tufton hand out booklets detailing the achievements of the Jamaica Labour Party to motorists in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on Wednesday.(Photo: X via @AndrewHolnessJM)

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith seen handing out copies of the JLP achievement booklet in the Corporate Area on Wednesday.(Photo: X via @kaminajsmith)