Fi Mi Concern, That Choir - Michael Spence

In Jamaica’s political life it is fashionably easy for opposition and others  to pick a face in the front row of the choir then blame that one for badly off-key tunes because of  greater visibly  and the most exuberant of all. In fact the choir existed perhaps decades or years before with no well written score to follow and worse an incompetent choir master or maybe they are all tone deaf. In that case there may be a need for a brand new choir.

The Prime Minister Holness the choir master has not heeded the call of the opposition and some groups like the National Integrity Commission to get rid of or fire the exuberant Minister Wheatley over the Petrojam debacle. The problem at Petrojam I am sure exists in other areas of significant national importance, resides in flawed management and decision - making processes.

Such decisions as the one to employ persons must have a fixed transparent score to follow ensuring relevant skills and inputs and must be followed/guided objectively being supported by reliable data.

The move by the chief choir master Prime Minister to shift the energy portfolio tune to his office in an attempt to make some correction is laudable considering the narrow margin he has in parliamentary choir is like walking between rain drops and not get wet. The impact is left to be seen but will take some time to kick in.

Firing Mr.Wheatley or the managers responsible for Petrojam would not solve the problem but could be a part of arriving at a solution supported by more transparent policies and systems with competent and less exuberant politically guidance. Rearranging the choir I hope Prime Minister will produce better organized less jarring music to the ears of the Jamaican people.

 Michael Spence