Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is correct
Published:Saturday | February 22, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson recently criticised the Andrew Holness-led administration for their overall management of the country’s affairs. He lambasted the Government for their dismal management of the road network, the failing public health system, and the increasing levels of rampant poverty.
Former Prime Minister Patterson is absolutely correct, the Government has failed the Jamaican people in many areas. What specific measures and actions did the Government take to maintain and repair the road network? Why did the Government allow the road network to deteriorate? Where was the organised road maintenance plan for repairing and maintaining those roads?
Media reports have indicated some of the roads which are being repaired under the SPARK programme. It is necessary that all the roads which are either being repaved or repaired are done with the correct aggregate and up to a high repair standard and quality. Do not waste taxpayer’s monies with the SPARK programme. The National Works Agency (NWA) should be revamped. Purchase the necessary road repair equipment and allocate them to the NWA and establish road maintenance and repair offices in each parish. Without proper road maintenance programmes, our roads will continue to fall into disrepair each year.
The health sector is falling apart. Cornwall Regional Hospital’s renovations are dragging out for far too long. A government enquiry is urgently required into that renovation project on which over J$20 billion have been expended and it cannot be completed. Something, is wrong here, to put it simply.
The fact is that, since the JLP-led administration came into office, more Jamaicans have gone into poverty than in previous years. Low-paying jobs cannot uplift people’s lives and, when persons are seeking jobs for six weeks or more even without getting a job, they are still classified as being employed.
If Dr Holness-led administration were doing exceptionally well then I will be the first person to commend them.However, his regime’s policies are failing the majority of the Jamaican people.
We should commend Mr Patterson for speaking the truth. A man who fearlessly speaks the truth despite the consequences is a patriot.
ROBERT DALLEY