Grow backbone, NHT board!

Joan Palmer, Guest Columnist

Seems to me, no matter how much the Jamaican public kicks and screams about any travesty, it's to no avail. Why in the name of God do our politicians continue to be bullies to the same people they pretend to be 'for'?

The recent decision by the Government to draw down billions of dollars from the National Housing Trust (NHT) is so immoral and unreasonable. I view this move similar to envy. If this money was not just 'sitting there', then the green-eyed monsters would not be so enticed.

If a citizen had all that money 'sitting' in an account, would the Government be so enticed and could be allowed to take money (as they like) - by force? Well, the NHT is FOR the people and the same ones, the contributors, who, therefore, should be the decision-makers. Did I hear Portia Simpson Miller and Peter Phillips say, "Not over my dead body!" Exactly how you feel, we know.

As long as the NHT continues to amass these funds at the expense of too many poor people (the majority who will NEVER stand a chance of benefiting from their contribution), the appetite of the Government will only increase. There's got to be a better way to invest/give back to the poor contributors.

Come on, NHT board, what the heck do you discuss at your monthly meetings where this massive surplus is concerned? Are you there just to collect (forcibly) and not give a hoot about the majority of contributors?

How about building some residences - single homes, apartment complexes, town houses - for those who will never 'qualify for a NHT loan'? Maybe there could be a rent-to-own or even a sort of NHT-run system where people would be provided a place to live and pay according to their income. Might I add, provide, in some cases, a sort of gated/security-monitored facility for contributors.

Work for the people

There are so many 'trying people' who would love to own a home, but have absolutely no idea or the means of doing so. However, these are some of the same people who are forced to contribute to this 'scheme'.

NHT board, for your next Monday morning or monthly meeting, can you go a little deeper into the business of the 'H' in your organisation? Why not start with the thousands of civil servants who, probably, contribute most of this money from which the Government can steal? All the nurses, teachers, police personnel, raise your hands! But you need to do more; fight for your share of the pie. You contributed!

NHT board, stop being a sinkhole that takes in and start being a well that gives out. Stop amassing these funds for green-eyed monsters to covet. If you are bankrupt with ideas on how to utilise the money, STOP raping the people by taking their money or go to the contributors for their input. Even those you perceive to be the dull and ignorant, they, too, must have their say.

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