Dear Editor,
Everybody knows that any government that implements the well-needed reforms prescribed by the IMF agreement and the pain that follows can only serve one term.
This, however, shouldn't prevent or delay the negotiations. The sacrifice is necessary and the country will benefit. The problems are overwhelming and it may take both the Government and Opposition, as alluded to by State Minister Julian Robinson and Senator Dr Christopher Tufton, to solve.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which started the negotiations, is well aware of the painful consequences and dislocations the agreement will cost, therefore forming an alliance with the Government isn’t a sign of weakness.
The IMF, as we all know, gives no preferential treatment to any administration. Its concern is the implementation of policies that will guarantee repayment of its loan. According to Dr Andre Haughton, a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the UWI, the problems we face are: a debt burden at about 130 per cent of gross domestic product; unemployment at its highest level in 20 years; a sliding Jamaican dollar; depleting Net International Reserves, and a huge balance of payment issue.
I am not worried that we will get the nod from the IMF. My problem is when we receive its blessing and funds start flowing, what will we do with those funds? Aready the indications are that we could behave like a drunken sailor on shore leave.
Telling us that money is well spent every time we squeal just doesn't cut it. Already we have spent $60 million on sport utility vehicles, US$500,000 to provide technical services at Jamaica Golden Jubilee Village, the overall cost of $700 million to celebrate Jamaica 50 and $140 million to host Jamaica House in London during the Olympics.
All this while negotiating a loan which could prove to be our only lifeline. If we continue to spend at the rate we do, will we generate enough confidence to convince international lenders that we are a serious country?
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Everybody knows that any government that implements the well-needed reforms prescribed by the IMF agreement and the pain that follows can only serve one term.
This, however, shouldn't prevent or delay the negotiations. The sacrifice is necessary and the country will benefit. The problems are overwhelming and it may take both the Government and Opposition, as alluded to by State Minister Julian Robinson and Senator Dr Christopher Tufton, to solve.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which started the negotiations, is well aware of the painful consequences and dislocations the agreement will cost, therefore forming an alliance with the Government isn’t a sign of weakness.
The IMF, as we all know, gives no preferential treatment to any administration. Its concern is the implementation of policies that will guarantee repayment of its loan. According to Dr Andre Haughton, a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the UWI, the problems we face are: a debt burden at about 130 per cent of gross domestic product; unemployment at its highest level in 20 years; a sliding Jamaican dollar; depleting Net International Reserves, and a huge balance of payment issue.
I am not worried that we will get the nod from the IMF. My problem is when we receive its blessing and funds start flowing, what will we do with those funds? Aready the indications are that we could behave like a drunken sailor on shore leave.
Telling us that money is well spent every time we squeal just doesn't cut it. Already we have spent $60 million on sport utility vehicles, US$500,000 to provide technical services at Jamaica Golden Jubilee Village, the overall cost of $700 million to celebrate Jamaica 50 and $140 million to host Jamaica House in London during the Olympics.
All this while negotiating a loan which could prove to be our only lifeline. If we continue to spend at the rate we do, will we generate enough confidence to convince international lenders that we are a serious country?
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com