Glenn Tucker | Always look a gift horse in the mouth

The year was 1980. I was director for a one-year, NGO-funded project that required me to travel to some deep-rural parts of the country. One day, I came upon a school and decided to visit. Just outside the school were two modern houses, both unoccupied.

On entering the school compound, I saw a group of children and two adults under a tree. I found the main building empty. I got a strange story from the principal. The first house by the gate was the official principal's residence. But she lived in her own house. Then this is where the story gets exciting.

The second building was also a principal's residence. This situation developed because the overseas agency that provided the financing for a number of primary schools also sent the complete drawings - one school to accommodate 360 students and a principal's cottage. And local authorities were not allowed to make any adjustments. There were 60 children on roll. Those in attendance were under the tree outside. She knew everyone in the community and could say with certainty that there would be 48 on roll the following school year. Stunned, I spoke to two other principals and got the same story.

The following year, I was working on another NGO-funded project. One item in the 'Aid' package was the provision of a number of huge, left-hand drive, eight-cylinder gas guzzler pickups unsuitable for some roads in the project area. This at a time when the world was reeling from the crippling effects of massive increases in oil prices. Everyone was scrambling to identify smaller diesel and other fuel-efficient units. I raised my concerns at the next meeting.

After the meeting, my closest associate in the project and uncle to one of the persons giving Dr Tufton a hard time for the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) problem took me for a Pepsi. We had 3 Pepsis each before he got to the point. "... But, Tucks, we have to be careful what we say, especially when they (the NGO reps) are present. They may think we are ungrateful."

 

Unwanted Vehicles

 

My research later revealed that the assembly plants in the manufacturing country were emptied of these unwanted vehicles to make way for new, fuel-efficient technology. And who were the 'grateful' beneficiaries of these gas-guzzling gifts? Third-World countries who would pay through their noses for them and the gas they would consume. But the problem was solved by our bright planners. How? We got another loan to buy more suitable vehicles.

So, finally we come to the billion-dollar problem at the CRH. Dr Tufton is now Dr Jekyll. And the PNP top brass wants him to resign. "Now!" Since I was aware of the problem before the building was completed, I am sure Dr Tufton - a more accomplished and exposed man - would also know. But he kept pussyfooting around with statements like 'this unit was not serviced' and 'that place wasn't maintained'.

I was glad that it was Dr Winston Davidson - a credible source - that let the puss out of the bag. On a television programme, he explained that the architectural drawings were for hospitals in Europe. Now, after the usual medical considerations, the primary consideration of architects is dealing with protection from Europe's freezing temperatures. This plan was sent, without change, to Jamaica - a country primarily concerned with 'frying' temperatures.

No, Dr Tufton! The problem was never maintenance, sir. We would never be able to maintain that structure and send Jamaican children to school at the same time. The problem is one that has plagued us for decades - the wholesale acceptance of inappropriate technology from these kind, loving, First-World countries who then send the IMF to collect payment - with interest.

 

'Dem Nuh Fussy'

 

Our situation reminds me of a well-known man who made a fortune selling salty and sugary snacks to street vendors. His business ballooned to the point where he had to employ some questionable storing practices. One day, a buyer complained about the condition of some of the purchases. His reply left one wondering if he used to work for one of the NGOs. "... When dem stay so, sell di school pickney dem ... . Dem nuh fussy ... ."

In fairness, Jamaica is not alone in this problem. The International Finance Corporation - the private arm of the World Bank - admits that only half of its Africa projects succeed. Other donors are in a similar position. For example, the US$22m Lake Turkana Fish Processing Plant project. It's just that no one remembered that the Turkana are nomads who don't eat fish. And that it would be unbelievably expensive to operate freezers in the desert. Then, apart from the occasional mirage, clean water would prove to be elusive. Yes, it operated - for a few days.

But let's not leave the hospital situation. One of the newest hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa was built with infrared sensors to turn the taps on in operating theatres. But there are no other infrared-controlled taps in the country and no engineer to repair them.

It is important that we examine the nature, relevance and hidden agendas of foreign aid to developing countries and assess the level of influence of other alternatives available.

Can we be a little more 'fussy'?

- Glenn Tucker is an educator and sociologist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and glenntucker2011@gmail.com.