The Editor,

The Cambridge Dictionary online, defines indiscipline as “a situation in which people do not control their behaviour or obey rules”.  Indiscipline is rampant in our society and does not discriminate against gender, ethnicity, occupation or address, in short, it can be observed within all social groups.

Not only is indiscipline a nuisance, but its impact on the economy, businesses and individuals may come with substantial costs. Simple acts of indiscipline, such as incorrect garbage disposal and improper road usage can have far reaching costs and complications. The recent Palisadoes debacle demonstrates indiscipline on a larger scale.

Despite the number of communities and businesses which have been negatively affected by flooding, as a result of the indiscipline acts of garbage disposal in gullies, streets, offices and around homes, persons continue to selfishly carry out these behaviours. The devastating impacts of flooding can be seen in multiple sectors. 

For example, the increase in water- and vector-borne diseases, such as gastroenteritis, dengue fever and leptospirosis, directly impacts the health sector through the vector control initiatives and increase demand on health care services and medications. The businesses sector is also affected indirectly due to the loss of productivity (work stoppage from illnesses), and directly through loss of assets.  The Government is no exception, having spent over $200 million dollars in drain cleaning activities in 2016.  

Our beaches have not been spared from the indiscipline acts of improper garbage disposal.  The International Coastal Cleanup Report for 2016, showed that 109,433.7 pounds of garbage were collected by 9,276 volunteers. Can you image if this garbage was properly disposed, these volunteers could be contributing to some productive rather than remedial activity? 

Again, our selfish acts of indiscipline have not made the connection that our beaches should be protected by all, as they are important assets to our tourism product and can contribute to the social well-being of our people.  

The indiscipline in relation to the motoring public are so many one could write a book. These undesirable behaviours have both direct and indirect costs to the economy. 

In observing the actions of some motorists, one could wrongly conclude that Jamaica has no road code. Taxi companies have added to the indiscipline in more ways than one.  Recently, a taxi company was called to send a cab to a location. 

The dispatcher informed the potential passenger that there were no “lip stick” available (PPV licence plate or Red plate) but if in a hurry a “white” plate vehicle could assist in the transportation needs. 

This information shows the extent of the indiscipline, where at least one registered Taxi Company has incorporated illegal vehicles as part of its available fleet.  It is assumed that these illegal operators are paying to be a part of that network, but they are not paying the required fees to the government.  This is yet another loss of income to the government coffers. 

Taxi operators have also contributed to the carnage on the roads.  The majority of accidents on the roads can be attributed to motorists disobeying the rules of the road.   

Once more the health sector, individual and businesses can be directly impacted from this indiscipline. The estimated costs to the health sector attributed to the medical care of accident victims was $8 billion, in 2016.

The fiasco on the Palisadoes Road is another example of the wanton indiscipline in our society.  The delays and cancellation of international flights resulting from these selfish acts have far reaching consequences. 

The website, airlines.org, estimated the direct costs of US Carrier delays as US$62.55 per minute.  This included direct operating costs such as crew, fuel, maintenance, ownership and other.  

Indirectly, the allocation of new arrival gates and the assignment of ground personnel are costs which must also be factored in airline delays.  From the customer perspective, the associated costs are the loss of productivity and income and in the case of shippers using the airlines, loss of goodwill.   

The actions on the Palisadoes Road directly impact the Tourism Sector which is important to our economy.  The Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported that in 2016, Hotels and Restaurants (an estimate for tourism) contributed 5.8 per cent to Gross Domestic Product in Basic Values at Constant (2007) prices. 

Our aim as a nation, is to increase our productivity which will contribute to economic growth and to the reduction of the debt burden.  This means we need to protect our industries.  With social media news travels fast and far, this means we no longer have the luxury of “what happens in Jamaica stays in Jamaica”.

 There is an untested rule of 1/9/90 regarding social media posts, which states that one per cent of users will create content, nine per cent will respond and the remaining 90 per cent, reads but remains silent.  The issue is that the world knows about the Palisadoes fiasco we are just not privy to their thoughts.

The Government is spending money to repair the consequences of indiscipline activities and in some cases not receiving taxes because of rules being disobeyed.  It would help our nation if we could channel these funds into education, infrastructure and other activities which would help economic growth.

Indiscipline costs us individually and as a nation.  Let us start with our individual actions to stem the scourge of indiscipline which has infested Jamaica Land We Love!

Melva Armstrong

Lecturer, UTECH