Jamaica, It Cannot Be Business As Usual

Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

The Governor General
Sir Patrick Allen.

Jamaica needs some changes at this time, and the change should start at the top of the stream with the head of state, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J. My concern is that if he continues longer and the public sees him as ineffective, then when we have discussions about constitutional changes, the people will believe that having a ceremonial president is a waste of time.

The next place we need to make changes is to change some of those who surround the prime minister and the heads of certain organizations. The Prime Minister has the greatest opportunity, besides PJ Patterson, to make Jamaica great. PJ failed us miserably, and we cannot afford to have another long-serving prime minister fail our country. Jamaica has spent too many years since 1972 sliding down a slippery slope. It is time we get up and move!

There are a few members of parliament who need to resign in a dignified way, and they should receive all the accolades that they deserve. At this stage, it is time to go home and enjoy your life with your family and friends. When I mention that, I think of Sista Portia, who was not all that old, and she has spent the best years of her life serving the people. Now, she cannot even enjoy her golden years. Tek sleep mark death. What has happened to Sista Portia can happen to anyone.

We have wasted time arguing about this NaARRA bill, and I am sure that we could spend more valuable time making long-term plans for our country. Someone asked me why the PM did not appoint someone to be in charge of the reconstruction using emergency procurement powers to get things done quickly. I cannot answer that question. 

The performance of some opposition members tells me the JLP will get a fourth term in parliament. While getting a fourth term is good for the JLP leaders, there are other things we need to address.

We need leaders in the public sector who are decisive and pragmatic, have strong personalities, and can get things done with little or no direction or intervention from our political leaders. They just need to follow government policies. Those who are undermining the government should pack their bags and go! When good leaders are missing, we tend to lean too much on our political leaders, and that can be problematic. Of course, I keep hearing about the bureaucracy that is aggravated by the procurement system. Who set up this procurement system? Let's fix it now!

This is Jamaica's last chance to get things right, or else I see a dark tunnel ahead. Some will say that dawg nyam wi supper. PM, we need some new political blood who are genuine leaders and new leaders in the public sector. Too many people only care for themselves. When I listen to our parliamentarians, too much time is spent on the "I" and not on the "We," the people. 

The Melissa reconstruction work must start now and not tomorrow. The next hurricane season is upon us.

I note the negative Auditor General's report in the media about ODPEM. Somebody needs to respond now to the public. Just sending out a press release alone will not work. A political leader is not the best person to respond at this time. We should also record a video response that can be shared on social media.

Mr PM, it cannot be business as usual. We need the best-qualified experts in the respective fields in the public sector to head entities. We need people who are best able to advise the political directorate on technical matters. This is even more important, especially after the impact of Hurricane Melissa. 

Editor's Note

The people are fast asleep, and we must wake up. This is not a time to tear down a government that was duly elected by the people last year, but we can ask them to make some changes NOW!

Auditor General: Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative Report.

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Breaking News - Speaker Of The House Charged By Police

Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert

I have received a report that the Speaker of the House, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert was charged for placing some boxes in an area where this is not allowed. 

According to the source, The Speaker of The House put some boxes in an area where there was garbage, and where the NSWMA normally collects garbage from. When cautioned by the officer, it is said that Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert apologized to the officer and explained that she was not aware that garbage was not to go there. She subsequently removed the boxes from the area.

I understand that she was detained at the Runaway Police Station for approximately three hours. She will will face the charges in the court.

There was an incident between a Minister and a police officer recently in St. Catherine, and I suggested then that we need to have a protocol for dealing with officials of the state who come into conflict with the law. No one is above the law but we cannot allow officials of the state to be arrested like that. It is possible that one of these days we could hear that a number of Cabinet members have been arrested and the business of the state has to come to an halt.

I am suggesting that where a member of parliament, a member of the senate or even a judge commits certain offences then we should use the ticketing system to charge them. If it is a very serious offence, then application should be made to the Governor General for example for that person to be suspended from public office until the matter is dealt with. Under no condition should members of the security forces have the right to arrest leaders of the state like that. One of these days someone is going to lock up the Prime Minister for breaking the law and that could put the country in a very awkward situation.

Contrary to information being circulated via social media, the Speaker is not in lock-up at this time. I understand that it was an humiliating experience for the Speaker to be detained by the police for over three hours at the police station. She was thoroughly interrogated I have been informed.

#JamaicaConstabularyForce #Jamaica #Politician