Dear Editor,
So now it appears that the gloves are off and the more forthright Comrades in the People's National Party (PNP) are accepting that the time has come to break ranks and speak their minds on issues that they find the party to be dithering on. This will be worth watching and, in anticipation of this, I do have a couple of issues that must make that list.
Certainly the current wage discussions will be a priority, especially coming on he heels of Dr Peter Phillips' statement to the nation that "nuh more nuh deh!" This has not been well received by the trade unions, not to mention the workers. This was a tough statement from the minister given that, as the de facto head of the Government — for nobady can get a peep outa Sista P — the issues of the inability to grow the economy falls squarely at his feet. It is going to be even more crucial in the next six months as at some point the jobs of more than 5,000 government workers will have to be scuttled in order to maintain the current wage proposals.
The mention of the prime minister and her deafening silence on most issues must be addressed. We do not need glasses to see that we are facing crises at the social and economic levels. The smart money says that these are the times that call for the steady voice of leadership to challenge the psyche of Jamaicans, to bring the country together as one people.
The disarray in the Opposition is a gift to the ruling PNP, and if properly managed could provide a great opportunity for uniting the country around a call to join hands and efforts at moving the economic needle forward.
The subject of the economic needle brings the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce into immediate focus. Clearly, this ministry has to be the driver of any growth that the country will realise in the immediate, medium and long term. The question of leadership here has been skirted for the last two years as Anthony Hylton's missteps hang like millstones around the neck of the Government. Decisive leadership would have addressed Hylton's incapacity a long time ago, but kisses, it appears, does go by favour and clearly his continued presence as head of such an important portfolio ministry spells continued condemnation of any growth potential that exists out there. Hylton's continued tenure is merely a reflection of the "doan kyah" attitude within our body politic and by extension a number of other ministry portfolios that requires decisive action.
Growing a country's economy require a social partnership, and at this time it seems as if it is only the people out there are sacrificing. It is time that we all, as Comrades, start to "talk up di tings".
Richard Hugh Blackford
Florida, USA
richardhblackford@gmail.com
Talk up di tings, Comrades!
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So now it appears that the gloves are off and the more forthright Comrades in the People's National Party (PNP) are accepting that the time has come to break ranks and speak their minds on issues that they find the party to be dithering on. This will be worth watching and, in anticipation of this, I do have a couple of issues that must make that list.
Certainly the current wage discussions will be a priority, especially coming on he heels of Dr Peter Phillips' statement to the nation that "nuh more nuh deh!" This has not been well received by the trade unions, not to mention the workers. This was a tough statement from the minister given that, as the de facto head of the Government — for nobady can get a peep outa Sista P — the issues of the inability to grow the economy falls squarely at his feet. It is going to be even more crucial in the next six months as at some point the jobs of more than 5,000 government workers will have to be scuttled in order to maintain the current wage proposals.
The mention of the prime minister and her deafening silence on most issues must be addressed. We do not need glasses to see that we are facing crises at the social and economic levels. The smart money says that these are the times that call for the steady voice of leadership to challenge the psyche of Jamaicans, to bring the country together as one people.
The disarray in the Opposition is a gift to the ruling PNP, and if properly managed could provide a great opportunity for uniting the country around a call to join hands and efforts at moving the economic needle forward.
The subject of the economic needle brings the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce into immediate focus. Clearly, this ministry has to be the driver of any growth that the country will realise in the immediate, medium and long term. The question of leadership here has been skirted for the last two years as Anthony Hylton's missteps hang like millstones around the neck of the Government. Decisive leadership would have addressed Hylton's incapacity a long time ago, but kisses, it appears, does go by favour and clearly his continued presence as head of such an important portfolio ministry spells continued condemnation of any growth potential that exists out there. Hylton's continued tenure is merely a reflection of the "doan kyah" attitude within our body politic and by extension a number of other ministry portfolios that requires decisive action.
Growing a country's economy require a social partnership, and at this time it seems as if it is only the people out there are sacrificing. It is time that we all, as Comrades, start to "talk up di tings".
Richard Hugh Blackford
Florida, USA
richardhblackford@gmail.com
Talk up di tings, Comrades!
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