Those Imported Drinks
William Mahfood, the president of the
Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) expressed surprise at the volume
of imports from Trinidad and Tobago, as Jamaica Customs figures showed
tariff-free imports of packaged drinks, including the popular Fruta Brand,
amounting to nearly $3.7 billion.I have not had a
purchased drink for a long time but when I do I make sure the label says made
in Jamaica. I buy fruits blend my juices bottle them, put in my small igloo and
those are my drinks for the day. All well thinking person’s especially those
who drive should do just that save your health and save money for yourself and
the country building Jamaica.22/06/15
To Bleach Or Not To Bleach
Ms Shanique Myrie has expressed an
intention to apply to the PNP to become one of their councilors should not
worry about many negative comments about her including her alleged bleaching.
in politics all publicity is good depending on how you manage it. Bleaching
"no Problem" she could be an advocate for bleachers by calling for
the establishment of proper bleaching clinics under the auspices of the
Ministry of Health to do it properly so the health of bleachers are not
compromised. Like bleaching or not, it is now a reality not going away and
that constituency of persons is growing. 22/06/15
That House
Regarding querying comments from the
public and political quarters regarding the construction of a house by Mr
Holness,"I must confess a sense of disappointment" Holness said.
I am disappointed in that comment because as a Jamaican politician himself he
should have expected the comments. From day one I drove on that road I
wondered who was doing this massive stone walled construction. Since then
it has become almost like a tourist attraction among Jamaicans who heard it was
the handy work of the leader of the opposition. The use of stones I must agree
make sense, he could even publish the financial statements to kill the possible
political backlash and distraction as election nears. He would have
nothing to lose since as he says all things are above board and once and for
all clear the air as he like anyone of us has a right to build a decent home of
one’s liking.22/06/15
The problem in this country that faces
people is losing their homes and properties to mortgage companies and
banks. The larger problem is that interest rates are enslaving and
high but no national leader has the guts to confront it instead
their focus is on fees. The add on method used for mortgages makes
you pay for a property 3 to 4 times during the life of a mortgage. These rates
turn people into squatters and make people remain squatters which is about
60% of the population considering slavery was abolished in 1838 and some gained
independence in 1962. Are we independent and was slavery really abolished or
was it replaced with something glamorously worse and digitally supported
.22/06/15
Russia In Love With Jamaica?
Russia to help us in tropical
agriculture, really now? We better just take what they have to offer and run
with it because anything is anything this one does not seem like a real
starter. Oh! the trucks, tractors and other equipment and some related
technology we can run with that too and hope they will not request a whole heap
of Jamaica in return. The Russians could be watching China and want bigger a
piece of the action.20/06/15
These Waivers
“Big waivers to popular Jamaicans” writes
Daraine Luton in one of our local newspapers. Sir, People need waivers because
the duties are too high the solution is to reduce the duties on vehicles to
maximum 20% and 5% at the lower end then make everyone except invalids pay.
Will the IMF see that is not fair for the ordinary man/woman having to pay approximately
97% duty on a Toyota Corolla or similar sized engine car when those who
administer and make the rules along with their friends and associates pay
duties ranging from 0 to 20%.I dare to say that if you check most of the high
end vehicles on our roads and this could be the subject of an interesting
investigation may reveal an open secret that most benefit from some type of
waiver or concession. Many categories of civil servants, politicians, teachers,
police and military personnel, doctors, farmers and several categories of
prominent Jamaicans friends and hangers on. Who can blame them take it if you
can get it only that many who get it could afford to pay and others do not know
anybody to make a talk or write for you. Why should some Jamaicans contributing
to GDP be eligible to pay nothing while others have to bear the burden of
paying in full? The IMF at least should step in and save the country from this
injustice while facilitating increased trade by insisting that this visible
impediment to free fair trade be eliminated or drastically reduced. Do you
notice how politicians take care of each other while the ordinary man out there
killing off each other in the name of partisan politics? This is nothing new
that is how the thing set from day one, so wake up and live my people open your
eyes, ears and think. How does one apply for a waiver should be made
public so we all know the established channel to give a semblance of openness
and fair play?19/06/15
The lowest down the ranks who can put
their signature on such waiver letters would be the Financial Secretary signing
for the Minister and based on the powers of the minister he does not have to
ask anyone what to do or answer to any one including the Prime Minister or
Governor General. The Minister of Finance is the most powerful man in
government he can make or break any other minister much less me or you so with
the % wage increases offered to civil servants/police I am saying is
"take it or leave it" unless they have the stomach and where with all
to sustain a protracted wage war which could backfire. Like for civil servants
the regulation for paying 20% duty refers to persons who " are eligible
for and or in receipt of travelling allowances" this is gazetted
information also available for persons engaged in agriculture to pay an overall
duty of 20% on trucks as defined in the road traffic law and the customs act.
For farmers it usually has to be researched ,verified by the ministry Of
agriculture regarding authenticity of activity (dog rearing or horse breeding
does not qualify as agriculture) and land tenure e.g. lease hold or free hold,
squatter holders do not qualify. Jamaica with a 60% squatter population should
be able to get the facility if lets say it can be verified they are doing said
activity same place without hindrance for at least 12years in line with
ownership by "Adverse possession" The request for this facility from
the Minister of Agriculture to the Minister of Finance for him to approve it
and advise the commissioner of customs .Waivers referred to in the article I
think referred only to discretionary waivers not specifically gazetted.20/06/15
Drills
This concept of having drills in schools
located where there are frequent flare ups of gunfire among warring factions
and intervening security forces attempting to put a lid on is essential to save
lives and minimize collateral damage. Always remember crawl to safety in the
face of active gunfire if inside your house the routine includes getting off
the bed on the floor, stay away from openings, and crawl under a bed if your
size allows and stay behind solid walls for cover if available and time and
space allows.. That principle saved me from harm downtown earlier this year.
Eight others running to safety or were upright were not so lucky only lucky
that no one died from their injuries. Shoppers and all people in downtown
Kingston, May Pen, Montego Bay, Spanish Town and elsewhere in Jamaica need some
of these drills. Who is going to prepare the Jamaica Survival Handbook, will
you Sir? 20/06/15
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