Dear Editor,
I want to ask the Jamaican people a question: Do we have the option of cherry-picking investments that come to our shores? Based on how some of us behave, you would get the feeling that there are investors who are lining up to invest in Jamaica and, hence, we have that option where we can say no.
The reality, though, is that this is what we face as a nation: Our best minds migrate every month to seek better opportunities. We are drowning in a two-trillion-dollar debt; we borrow money to feed ourselves and pay our public sector workers. Our hospitals are in urgent need of attention. To do the most basic surgical procedure people have to wait months, even years — just ask my wife who waited for two years for a gall bladder removal. Our fire and emergency services are virtually non-existent. Just look at the Old Harbour market that burned down simply because there was no fire truck in the town. Our police, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc, work in some of the most horrendous conditions. Our roads are like accidents waiting to happen. Our justice system is crumbling under the weight of unresolved cases because of a lack of resources. Need I say more.
So when various groups and individuals dismiss a number of proposed investments, it boggles my mind.
Using one example: the recent outcry against the proposed coal-fired plant for Alpart. Various Jamaicans are against it because of ‘safety and environmental issues’. However, check these facts:
(1) The United States and China are the biggest users of coal.
(2) The average economic growth for United States is five per cent per annum for the last five years. Over 200,000 new jobs a month; in July alone, over 244,000 new jobs. An unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent
(3) China has seen a staggering 9.5 per cent economic growth each year for the last 10 years and is expected to become the biggest economic juggernaut by 2020. Every major conglomerate is fighting for a piece of the Chinese economic pie.
Do these countries have environmental issues? Yes. But what they have done is put themselves in a position to mitigate any major setbacks by having adequate resources available.
So, which side of the fence do we want to sit on?
Do we want to be constantly struggling to make ends meet; wallowing in crime, debt, and unemployment? Then we can continue to shoot down investments. Our friend, Cuba, will gladly take them. Or we can take a gamble and welcome potential investors and give them a fair chance to prove themselves, instead of being judge, jury, and executioner before the projects get off the ground. Give ourselves a chance to grow.
P Harrison
Old Harbour, St Catherine
phbravo2@gmail.com
I want to ask the Jamaican people a question: Do we have the option of cherry-picking investments that come to our shores? Based on how some of us behave, you would get the feeling that there are investors who are lining up to invest in Jamaica and, hence, we have that option where we can say no.
The reality, though, is that this is what we face as a nation: Our best minds migrate every month to seek better opportunities. We are drowning in a two-trillion-dollar debt; we borrow money to feed ourselves and pay our public sector workers. Our hospitals are in urgent need of attention. To do the most basic surgical procedure people have to wait months, even years — just ask my wife who waited for two years for a gall bladder removal. Our fire and emergency services are virtually non-existent. Just look at the Old Harbour market that burned down simply because there was no fire truck in the town. Our police, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc, work in some of the most horrendous conditions. Our roads are like accidents waiting to happen. Our justice system is crumbling under the weight of unresolved cases because of a lack of resources. Need I say more.
So when various groups and individuals dismiss a number of proposed investments, it boggles my mind.
Using one example: the recent outcry against the proposed coal-fired plant for Alpart. Various Jamaicans are against it because of ‘safety and environmental issues’. However, check these facts:
(1) The United States and China are the biggest users of coal.
(2) The average economic growth for United States is five per cent per annum for the last five years. Over 200,000 new jobs a month; in July alone, over 244,000 new jobs. An unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent
(3) China has seen a staggering 9.5 per cent economic growth each year for the last 10 years and is expected to become the biggest economic juggernaut by 2020. Every major conglomerate is fighting for a piece of the Chinese economic pie.
Do these countries have environmental issues? Yes. But what they have done is put themselves in a position to mitigate any major setbacks by having adequate resources available.
So, which side of the fence do we want to sit on?
Do we want to be constantly struggling to make ends meet; wallowing in crime, debt, and unemployment? Then we can continue to shoot down investments. Our friend, Cuba, will gladly take them. Or we can take a gamble and welcome potential investors and give them a fair chance to prove themselves, instead of being judge, jury, and executioner before the projects get off the ground. Give ourselves a chance to grow.
P Harrison
Old Harbour, St Catherine
phbravo2@gmail.com