Speaking to hundreds in attendance at his swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Manley outlined his plans to improve the lives of Jamaicans. Among his priorities was the building of the civil service.

Published Tuesday, February 14, 1989

Manley sworn in as PM

-‘Integrity, HOPE’ to  mark his government

THE HON, MICHAEL NORMAN MANLEY was sworn in yesterday as Prime Minister of Jamaica for the third time in 17 years, with a promise to uphold honesty, openness, participation and energy.

Using those four words, the first letters of which spell HOPE, Mr Manley said that no society could be great if it did not put integrity at the centre of human activity.

Hundreds of people, including Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Enrique Tejera Paris, members of the diplomatic corp, PNP supporters and other well-wishers, attended the colourful swearing-in ceremony on the lawns of King’s House.

The Jamaica Military Band played music, the clergy was out in full force to say prayers and, although the function started several minutes late, it went through with only one hitch:  A man who appeared to be of unsound mind walked right through the tight security and took a seat among the dignitaries in the front row of the platform.  (He was escorted away quietly).

After welcoming Mr Manley and the guest, the Most Hon. Sir Florizel Glasspole, Governor General, read the instrument appointing the Prime Minister and then asked Mr Manley to take the Oath for the due execution of his office.

His priorities

After the formalities, Mr Manley gave a speech in which he listed the priorities of his Government: the pursuit of national unity, the reinforcement of patriotism and the exploitation of areas of cooperation with the Jamaica Labour Party, particularly in the fight against crime, dug-trafficking, education and health.

He added to that, what he described as “one more urgent and immediate task”, the rebuilding of the civil service as well as the priority of significantly upgrading the country’s disaster-preparedness capabilities and restoring a national committee of a wide base to supervise disaster relief.

He said he intended to give high priority to the acceleration and completion of the reform and modernisation of the Civil Service, with World Bank assistance, as initiated by the previous Government.

“It is much too early, nor would it be appropriate, to be any more specific on an occasion like this, or to go any further than suggesting what will be some of the early concerns of the new Government in this area,” he said.

Mr Manley paid personal tribute to Mr Michael Sotirhos, the United States Ambassador to Jamaica, for his “even-handedness before the election and immensely energetic assistance once it became clear that the people of Jamaica had made their choice.”

Foreign outlook

He promised to expand relations with Canada and said that soon his Government would initiate a round of talks with the leaders of CARICOM nations.

He said the country must be ready for the new European Community arrangements which come into effect in 1992 and which he believed offered more opportunities for Jamaica.

His government also viewed with excitement the possibilities of the Far East including Japan and South Korea.

Referring to the Commonwealth, Mr Manley said: “We are staunch members of the Commonwealth and will be proud once again to be part of those councils.”

On the type of government, he would lead.  Mr Manley said that four words sprang to mind: honesty, openness, participation and energy – an acronym for hope.

“No people can have faith in tomorrow if they do not have trust in where we are shaping today” he said.

He referred to the recommendation of a committee on public integrity, which had been established last year, and promised to give them urgent attention and to discuss them with the JLP with a view to early action.

In what appeared to be a reference to the remuneration of public officials.  Mr Manley said: “At the same time I must state clearly, that this country must face the obligation to reward those who serve it adequately and then insist that these rewards are open and the only rewards.”

On the question of honesty, he said: “Honesty implies openness.  We will seek to be a government with few secrets and no secretiveness.”  He said that people had a right to know and must live with the consequences of official error.

The Private sector

The Prime Minister said that where there was honesty and openness, participation had a chance.  He said he had already had talks with the leaders of major private sector organizations and more were to follow.  Today he will meet with the leaders of the major trade unions as well as farm leaders.

“Urgent problems await attention and a short list has already begun to take shape.  I think them for their ready co-operation and sensible advice.”  These discussions would be extended to communities where the Government will seek to have the people come together regardless of party affiliation, class, colour and creed.

On energy, Mr Manley said Jamaica had manifest talent and together all those things which released energy and guided it to constructive purpose must be done.

He said the young must be nurtured and prepared for tasks “which may even be beyond our ken at this time”.

“And, even as we prepare for the future, we must find the time to remember the aged and the handicapped.  Future generations will judge our humanity by how we care for both.”

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