Dear Editor,
One would have thought that with the growing outcry from all corners of the nation, the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration would have lent a listening ear, especially since she always articulated that the people of Jamaica come first. Instead, she has detoured from her own articulation and gone ahead and have 'boarded' up the National Housing Trust (NHT). I refer to August Wilson's famous line, "Some people build fence to keep some in, others build to keep people out". Whom is the PNP keeping in and whom is it keeping out?
While the prime minister has the right to appoint whomever she is convinced is the right fit for the board, I am concerned that she did not see it as prudent to sack the remaining members. This, in my opinion speaks, to an ineptness to carry out duties without fear or favour. While I do not question the competence and qualifications of the newly appointed four members, I am perturbed that they have accepted the appointment at this time.
One would have thought that with the issues at the NHT currently unresolved, they would have duly thanked the PM for considering them but respectfully decline the position on the basis that the residues of the board is glaringly tainted.
If the current assertions regarding the political alignment of the four newly appointed board members are true, then this action by both parties (the newly appointed and the PM) is an application of a new tenet of good governance that is unreservedly practised by the PNP, where the rest of us have fallen short. This is loyalty.
I dare say, if loyalty is the key factor for keeping this administration at the helm of this country, they will remain there for a lifetime. Loyalty has clearly trumped transparency and accountability and has illuminated the gross disrespect and disregard that is levied at the nation. It has schooled us in the ways of the government and what seems to be their guiding principles.
A board that has taken a major decision without the consent of the individual with the highest office in the country, a decision that has placed her on the front line of harsh and even sometimes unkind criticisms, have been rewarded with a pat on the shoulder.
However, there is clearly a linear view of the application of this two-edged sword 'tenet'. It is obviously one of the main contributing factors to this administration's continuous precipitous political failing and it is still not sufficient for the leaders to make a change. But then, how can they when the leader who steers the party is known for "not changing no course"?. Clearly, one can conclude that our PM is the best public manager this country has ever seen.
The problem was further compounded by the attempted censuring of the media at a press conference held at Jamaica House.
I am more than a little concerned. Isn't this a press conference where the media is supposed to get the relevant information and report it to the public in the name of transparency, accountability and national awareness? So why hold a press conference if the information minister will blatantly refuse to answer questions posed? What was the use of the press conference? Wasn't it with this same administration one television reporter was fiercely shoved aside as he attempted to garner information from the prime minister? This administration certainly has a penchant for the media. A penchant that includes shoving, wrestling and grabbing of microphones. The irony is, it is the same media that emancipated the prime minister from her ignorance of the NHT/Outameni saga. That press conference was a gross disservice to the media and the people of Jamaica.
We can talk all we want, protest all we want but if the government does not get an internal urge to act in the interest of the public and ignore its urge at fulfilling personal political gratification, we will never get the governance that is needed to grow this country. The government made a pronouncement that the aim is for Jamaica to attain the a "developed" status, but I must hasten to point out that we will never attain this if our government continues to be driven by political loyalty.
Dorraine Reid
One would have thought that with the growing outcry from all corners of the nation, the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration would have lent a listening ear, especially since she always articulated that the people of Jamaica come first. Instead, she has detoured from her own articulation and gone ahead and have 'boarded' up the National Housing Trust (NHT). I refer to August Wilson's famous line, "Some people build fence to keep some in, others build to keep people out". Whom is the PNP keeping in and whom is it keeping out?
While the prime minister has the right to appoint whomever she is convinced is the right fit for the board, I am concerned that she did not see it as prudent to sack the remaining members. This, in my opinion speaks, to an ineptness to carry out duties without fear or favour. While I do not question the competence and qualifications of the newly appointed four members, I am perturbed that they have accepted the appointment at this time.
One would have thought that with the issues at the NHT currently unresolved, they would have duly thanked the PM for considering them but respectfully decline the position on the basis that the residues of the board is glaringly tainted.
If the current assertions regarding the political alignment of the four newly appointed board members are true, then this action by both parties (the newly appointed and the PM) is an application of a new tenet of good governance that is unreservedly practised by the PNP, where the rest of us have fallen short. This is loyalty.
I dare say, if loyalty is the key factor for keeping this administration at the helm of this country, they will remain there for a lifetime. Loyalty has clearly trumped transparency and accountability and has illuminated the gross disrespect and disregard that is levied at the nation. It has schooled us in the ways of the government and what seems to be their guiding principles.
A board that has taken a major decision without the consent of the individual with the highest office in the country, a decision that has placed her on the front line of harsh and even sometimes unkind criticisms, have been rewarded with a pat on the shoulder.
However, there is clearly a linear view of the application of this two-edged sword 'tenet'. It is obviously one of the main contributing factors to this administration's continuous precipitous political failing and it is still not sufficient for the leaders to make a change. But then, how can they when the leader who steers the party is known for "not changing no course"?. Clearly, one can conclude that our PM is the best public manager this country has ever seen.
The problem was further compounded by the attempted censuring of the media at a press conference held at Jamaica House.
I am more than a little concerned. Isn't this a press conference where the media is supposed to get the relevant information and report it to the public in the name of transparency, accountability and national awareness? So why hold a press conference if the information minister will blatantly refuse to answer questions posed? What was the use of the press conference? Wasn't it with this same administration one television reporter was fiercely shoved aside as he attempted to garner information from the prime minister? This administration certainly has a penchant for the media. A penchant that includes shoving, wrestling and grabbing of microphones. The irony is, it is the same media that emancipated the prime minister from her ignorance of the NHT/Outameni saga. That press conference was a gross disservice to the media and the people of Jamaica.
We can talk all we want, protest all we want but if the government does not get an internal urge to act in the interest of the public and ignore its urge at fulfilling personal political gratification, we will never get the governance that is needed to grow this country. The government made a pronouncement that the aim is for Jamaica to attain the a "developed" status, but I must hasten to point out that we will never attain this if our government continues to be driven by political loyalty.
Dorraine Reid