'Revamp NHT capital programme'

THE PARLIAMENTARY Opposition, through its spokesman on finance, Dr Omar Davies, has suggested the National Housing Trust (NHT) capital programme for the fiscal year 2011-2012 be revamped.

Davies suggested that the trust concentrate on building small schemes and employing small contractors islandwide as a means of stimulating economic growth.

"In every parish we should see clear signs of NHT activity, with housing units geared to the lower- and middle-income workers. There is a demand for such units and this demand will not be met by private-sector activity on its own. The NHT must lead," Davies argued.

suggested growth strategy

He has also suggested that the Government utilise the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) as part of its growth strategy. The Government, he said, had taken the proposal he made three years ago on board partially, but he had problems with the implementation process.

"We return to the possibility which exists for these objectives to be obtained, putting people to work, improving physical infrastructure and, at the same time, improving the tourism product," Davies said.

He suggested that the proceeds of the TEF be used to systematically address issues such as beautifying resort towns and creating employment in a transparent manner, with each project subject to audits and accountability.

Davies said while the opposition was willing to collaborate in the interest of national unity, he said there would be difficulty cooperating with an administration which presided over the doubling of poverty in three years.

major issue of discord

One of the areas the Opposition was willing to cooperate on, said Davies, is the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP), which is a major issue of discord between the Government and the Opposition.

"It is a time of crisis for the country, both economically and socially, and although a revamping of the JDIP will not provide the total solution, it can provide a significant change to the present social and economic malaise which envelops the land," he said.

"There is need to give the people hope, and the revamping of the JDIP programme may not be acceptable to a few persons who are doing well, but would have a significant impact on the lives of thousands who simply have no hope for the future," Davies said.