Letter of the Day | Wishes to build and sustain a better Jamaica for 2024

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to share my wish list for the new year, and beyond, to build a better Jamaica.

Collaboration: We need to see less ego-centric and green vs orange division by our leaders to guide economic and social transformation. The two main political parties, public and private sectors as well as NGOs need to combine our collective knowledge and wisdom to rapidly move to achieve our potential by 2030.

New Constitution: Over the next 18 months, we need to have islandwide debates and education regarding the key elements of a new Constitution, so we can choose wisely the most important aspects to be implemented.

Sustainable economic growth: The emphasis must now change gear from foreign-owned and controlled industries to local and diaspora-developed and controlled boutique tourism accommodations and attractions and agro-industrial enterprises.

Governance: We must have a commitment by all to stamp out corruption, cronyism and crime at all levels. Those who are under investigation must be exposed and step aside until proven innocent; and those found guilty must be punished according to the laws of our country, without concern for their standing or position in the society.

Appointment of board members: We must be far more vigilant in selecting directors of boards of public-sector organisations. Directors are still chosen by ministers of the ruling party, who, in most cases, select their chosen supporters and sycophants, who are ill-prepared or capable of being unbiased; hence, we are constantly exposed to cases of fraud and ill-gotten gains. We must commit to correct this and have a more collaborative process, possibly overseen by a combination of EPOC and CMOC, rather than leaving appointments fully in the control of a partisan minister, which has not worked to date.

Environmental protection: Our forests and reefs are under tremendous strain and degradation due to housing development, mining, agriculture and terrible habits for the disposal and management of waste. We need to be much more planning-oriented and not move to convert prime agricultural land into housing and commercial development. Further, plastic bottles and bags are stifling offshore areas, as we use gullies as dumps for all kinds of waste. These practices must be stopped, or at least curtailed, and we must invest in recycling in a much bigger way.

Cultural tourism: What separates Jamaica from the rest of the world is the tremendous power of effervescent people and culture. So many, worldwide, wish to be exposed to and learn about our language, music, food, dance, art and craft. But we do not even have any dedicated major entertainment complexes or areas that offer year-round exposure. This must be seriously addressed, and ensure that the locals and diaspora members are incentivised to invest.

Education and positive attitudes: We need to go back to basics regarding teaching our children and adults positive attitudes and behaviour, while also recognising that the education sector needs to be transformed. Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics schools need to be developed and maintained. Importantly, the Patterson Report needs to be placed before Parliament and debated early in the year and agreed recommendations implemented.

Healthcare: Healthcare infrastructure and services being offered have fallen into disrepair in most cases, and even basic drugs and amenities are woefully inadequate and unaffordable. We clearly need to have our priorities focused on improving our education and health services.

Community development: We know that the two major sources of crime are criminal gangs and domestic violence, which are fed by lack of education, job opportunities, mental healthcare, and a neglect of inner-city slums and squatter settlements. The focus must be on genuine urban renewal and social upliftment of neglected slum and squatter settlements; and this needs to be a huge, short-, medium- and long-term sustained effort, like the PSOJ-led STAR programme. I also believe this programme should be coordinated and significantly funded by the NHT.

Workers’ rights: The conditions of workers in the overseas farm work programme received a ‘whitewash’ response from the Government in 2023, which eventually resulted in a new minister being appointed. However, the issue remains a sore point, which we will need to revisit this year to correct the way our workers are treated.

Infrastructure: The island’s basic transportation, roads, water, sewage and security infrastructure are all declining and are not being improved to First-World standards; they are on the brink of imploding. Patchwork and increased lawlessness on our roads is the order of the day. We need to seriously look at improving the transportation of people by using modern transit systems with upgraded trains and cableways over our main arteries. It is also essential to upgrade the sewage and water systems, particularly in existing urban areas, rather than spending time in planning new cities, especially when this involves taking our best agricultural land for these new developments.

Let us focus on redeveloping downtown Kingston, Montego Bay, Mandeville and other critical town centres, and commit to put in the needed investment in infrastructure to catalyse private-sector investment and development, instead of this folly of developing new areas as urban centres or simply building highways.

I strongly believe if we can address even 50 per cent of the above issues in 2024, we will be well on our way to achieving our 2030 goals, and will be providing a safer and more enticing place to work and enjoy raising our children and grandchildren.

ROBERT STEPHENS

Pragma Consultants Ltd.