In Focus

Below is a reprint of a column written by Wilmot Perkins and published in The Daily Gleaner on Tuesday, April 14, 1981.

Jamaica recently lost two indigenous icons. The first to go was Dudley Joseph Thompson, who left us after 95 years of seminal contribution to his country and the world

The continued operation of all four alumina plants in Jamaica, including even the most efficient, CAW, depends on the industry having a long-term source of competitive energy, as well as resolving certain bauxite-reserve issues.

The Church should have no privileged status in this society. There should be no automatic deference to the Church, no unquestioning authority invested in it.

Martin Henry's piece in last Sunday's Gleaner titled 'Whither agriculture?' makes interesting reading. I commend him for his usual analytical approach to critical subject matters of national importance.

Against the background of the 1986 tax reforms published last week, I will now examine the current reform proposals.

An open letter to my member of parliament, Julian Robinson (no relation):Dear Julian,Although I didn't vote for you (or for anyone else) in the recent general election, the bad news for you is enough voters did that you're now my MP.

" ... The genetic theory of homosexuality has been generally discarded today."

Going forward, Government has identified liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the preferred substitute for oil as the primary fuel for generating electricity, but expectations that this will substantially reduce fuel costs may be misguided. In the meantime, consumers can take conservation measures to lower their electricity bills.

There has been renewed concern about the Digicel-Claro merger since the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) reported that the previous administration had removed the condition that the Digicel and Claro networks be operated separately. I wish to bring some perspective to this discussion.

Just a few days into his second cycle as minister of agriculture, Roger Clarke presided over a dreadful meeting with the heads of commodity organisations and commodity boards. In very inapt language, the communication and PR outfit of his ministry, in a press release the following day, said, "The newly appointed minister ... has hit the ground running"!

It is with some reservation that I welcome the new administration elected by the Jamaican people to lead their way for the next five years. While there are many positives to point to in the People’s National Party’s victory, the one factor that many consider as vital to the country’s future, development, is not highlighted in the new Cabinet.