What has Barbican done to deserve this?

Egerton Chang, Contributor

But first ... . 'May you live in interesting times." I start with this proverb for two reasons. It is a reminder that there are many things that are not what they seem, including this saying itself. It turns out that this expression, which is reputed to be an ancient Chinese curse, just isn't. The consensus of scholars concludes that it definitely does not appear to be Chinese in origin as there is actually no Chinese expression that matches it. This does not, however, detract from its intended purpose, particularly with what has transpired in the last few weeks.

With the surprise intended resignation of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the emergence of his heir apparent, Andrew Holness, we do indeed live in interesting times. These events have forced paradigm shifts in both parties and have energised them to the point that pundits are actually in a quandary as to how things will play out. Whatever your political persuasion, I think most will agree with me in saying that at least it now makes the Jamaica Labour Party, which was dead in the water up to three weeks ago, much more competitive.

To compare it to the world of athletics, the false start by Usain Bolt in the 100 metres in the recently concluded IAAF World Championships gave Yohan Blake the opportunity of winning this event, and he seized it. This win gave him so much confidence that he ran the second-fastest time ever (19.26 seconds) in the 200 metres in a subsequent Grand Prix race, an event that he didn't even enter in the said World Championships. Hasn't the emergence of Yohan Blake made the 100- and 200-metre races for the Olympics and the races leading up to it much more fascinating? Most would agree that Bolt will still win but ... .

This resignation has certainly set the cat among the pigeons, or the cock among the cockroaches. I believe that if the pigeons could talk, they would certainly say we live in interesting times.

Barbican Road

The people that use (or live or have businesses in) that section of Barbican Road from Matilda's Corner to the 'roundabout' intersection with Widcombe Road must be the wickedest people on Earth. What else is there to explain the treatment of them regarding the ongoing road repairs?

This roadwork has been taking place forever, or so it appears to us sufferers. From the period when substandard backfill was used to pack the trenches, thus causing a number of cars and heavy-duty vehicles to get stuck in it, to the damage to undercarriages and front-ends and to the tremendous inconvenience caused to motorists, this project has been an unmitigated disaster.

Like bad luck, this disaster has extended to the tragic demise of two construction workers in November last year, their deaths being later declared homicides.

Over these past years, this inconvenience has never relented. Especially with the closing of the roadway without notice and/or without adequate signs or signal workers, this has represented the worst face of the National Water Commission, the National Work Agency, the respective, ministries, and by extension, the Government.

And what about the businesses that operate in the area? They must have lost a good chunk of sales because of this irritation and dust nuisance, particularly to businesses in Lane Plaza and Burger King on Barbican Road.

My family and I have fared no better, having suffered directly from damage to our motor vehicles, including punctured tyres and damage to front ends.

National Housing Trust

Admittedly, it was a long time ago, but the National Housing Trust (NHT) used to have a Minor Projects Department that had a pre-screened set of small contractors whose job it was to carry out build-on-own-land and home-improvement projects. These contractors would answer to project officers who acted as inspectors and who would supervise the work and ensure that the quality met certain minimum standards and that the relevant quantities were properly measured and submitted.

In addition to having NHT pre-approved plans and established rates, these officers would sit with the contributor to agree on what they wanted and to estimate the costs thereof.

When I was director of mortgage operations of the NHT from 1982-84, the United States Agency for International Development had recommended that this department be phased out. However, after much consultation, we decided not to do so at that time as we were positive about the absolute need for these programmes, especially that of home improvement.

I was convinced that the home-improvement benefit was the most efficient of the sweeteners offered in that the contributor would be adding, perhaps, a room and bathroom to a house in the downtown area or other areas that needed rejuvenating. Research has shown that when one or two persons fix up their houses, it provided an incentive, an impetus, for neighbours to follow suit, thus further improving the area.

Secondly, because the necessary infrastructure was already in place, there was no need to spend (waste) funds on providing these. Thirdly, because the sum tended to be much smaller than that needed to buy a small house or apartment, more persons would be able to benefit, thus spreading the NHT benefits.

Finally, since the amount being loaned was relatively small in relation to the total equity, this represented a fairly safe loan.

I am not sure of the emphasis now being placed on this programme but would ask that it be reviewed and revived.

Ticket amnesty

The minister with responsibility for information, Daryl Vaz, has advised the country that Cabinet has approved a submission that the law is to be amended to allow tax offices to collect on traffic tickets issued prior to September 20, 2010. This upcoming amnesty for outstanding traffic tickets was announced at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, October 12.

You will recall that in my last column of September 18 titled 'Writing, traffic tickets and GSAT', I had called for an "amnesty for those who had been remiss in paying and would like to make restitution for their outstanding fine(s) without having to attend court".

And it came to pass.

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