KINGSTON, Jamaica – Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says a multi-stakeholder effort involving the captains of industry in various sectors may be required to begin the process of finding a long term solution to what he described as a culture of “vile entitlement” and dishonesty which contributes to praedial larceny across the country.

Senator Fitz-Henley made the comment in the Upper House of Parliament on Friday during the debate on the Agricultural Produce Amendment (Act) 2023.

Under the amended Bill, the maximum fine for people convicted of transporting stolen agricultural produce has moved from $250,000 to $1 million, and the maximum prison term of three months is now three years.

Fitz-Henley welcomed the increase in the maximum punishment for theft of agricultural produce as a step in the right direction and a sign that the Holness administration is committed to protecting farmers across Jamaica and creating a legislative framework where praedial larcenists can be given significant punishment when caught.

“This sort of amendment to the law is an indication that this administration is not preoccupied with only addressing issues facing the upper echelons of society or folks who some consider ‘topanaris’, it’s an indication that we will not ignore issues that affect Jamaicans who are going about their lawful business and moving to make ends meet and secure their livelihood,” Fitz-Henley remarked.

However, the Government senator reasoned that, as a longer term solution, a cultural shift is required.

“What we really need to address as well towards a long term solution is the culture where people feel entitled to things that do not belong to them, to reap what they did not sow. Addressing this problem will take a multi-stakeholder effort involving not just government, private sector and church but the captains of popular culture some of whom now currently say ‘you call it scamming or praedial larceny, we call it reparations’. That sort of mindset has to be condemned and it has to be inculcated in the minds of the current and upcoming generation, the basic precept that by a man’s sweat shall he eat, not via pouncing on positive outcomes generated by the blood, sweat and tears of others”, Senator Fitz-Henley told Parliament.

He commented that perhaps addressing some of the issues which cause a culture of dishonesty and tendency among some criminals to act violently to claim what is not theirs, may be explored by a new Ministry of Peace and Human Transformational Development which Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he’s contemplating putting into place.

Fitz-Henley also called on stakeholders including law enforcement and the media to at the appropriate stage of legal proceedings increase the frequency of instances where convicted praedial larcenists are named and shamed.

The Government senator also described praedial larcency as a wicked act which disrupts nation building and the eco-system of communities by preventing families from investing, paying utility bills, putting food on their tables and sending their children to school.