Some years ago, the National Housing Trust (NHT) took the piece of land that was sandwiched between the NHT head office building and Knutsford Boulevard and transformed what was then a dust bowl into what is now the beautiful Emancipation Park.
The park has transformed the strip and is definitely appreciated by locals and visitors alike. It was done with resources of the NHT and I think most Jamaicans have come to feel it was appropriate use of the NHT funds.
We now have another piece of land — National Heroes’ Circle — that could do with a similar facelift. Whereas Emancipation Park was financed by the NHT, because of the huge hit taken by the NHT, with approximately $45 billion to assist with our International Monetary Fund programme, the Trust is not in a position, I think, to undertake a similar type venture.
The main beneficiaries of the IMF programme, our financial institutions, are seeing improving fortunes as the country’s credit ratings improve. This is reflected in their reported financial performance. Once we continue to be financially disciplined, the fortunes of those who hold our debts will continue to see improvement in bond prices.
What a great way for financial houses to show appreciation than if they were to fund the development of Heroes Park!
Mark Walters
mszj2004@msn.com
The park has transformed the strip and is definitely appreciated by locals and visitors alike. It was done with resources of the NHT and I think most Jamaicans have come to feel it was appropriate use of the NHT funds.
We now have another piece of land — National Heroes’ Circle — that could do with a similar facelift. Whereas Emancipation Park was financed by the NHT, because of the huge hit taken by the NHT, with approximately $45 billion to assist with our International Monetary Fund programme, the Trust is not in a position, I think, to undertake a similar type venture.
The main beneficiaries of the IMF programme, our financial institutions, are seeing improving fortunes as the country’s credit ratings improve. This is reflected in their reported financial performance. Once we continue to be financially disciplined, the fortunes of those who hold our debts will continue to see improvement in bond prices.
What a great way for financial houses to show appreciation than if they were to fund the development of Heroes Park!
Mark Walters
mszj2004@msn.com