That $8.6m trip to Africa, was it really necessary ?

Ok I get it that we want to show support and maintain our support for the African Union and Africa by extension.

Jamaica wanted to be represented at this 50th anniversary so the Prime Minister has decided to( or invited)  attend and we understand she will be giving a speech, ok that I can live with.

I need someone to tell me, why the delegation to the African continent had to be so large, I could live(reluctantly)e with the PM and  max two persons, but the size that went,  on the face of it appears to be excessive.

I ask one simple question, what should be expect at the end of this process?

Are we trying to secure trade with African Nations?

Are we trying to woo African tourist to Jamaica?

Are we trying to get Africans to invest in Jamaica?

What are the deliverable from this visit, that would justify such a large delegation?

At a time of austerity and a need to be lean and mean, our leaders must be called upon to justify every expenditure and each of these MUST lead to something for Jamaica, even if its intangible such as goodwill.

We cannot continue to spend as if its business as usual while at the same time demanding that all other Jamaicans must make a personal sacrifice to “save” Jamaica.

I continue to be amazed at our passive behaviour towards politicians and our unwillingness to force them in a position to not only talk but to also act. If we continue to behave as if ” a nuh nuttin”, we ca resign ourselves to be at the bottom of the pile when it comes unto economic prosperity.

I am sure when the PM and her large delegations returns she will not give an update on her trip nor will the general public ask, what has been achieved from that visit?

If she does I would be pleasantly surprised.

Will she prove Jay wrong?

 

 

Its not hurting us bad enough !

A man walking down the street encountered folks sitting on their porch and a dog lying on the porch whining and groaning.

He asked the folks why the dog was acting that way . . .

“Because he’s lying on a nail” they replied.

“Why doesn’t he get up?” the man asked.

“Because it’s not hurting bad enough” they replied. . . . .

How bad is it hurting where you’re lying today?

How bad does it have to get before you get off the nail?

 

Jamaicans continue to moan and groan like the dog above, but refuses to get off the nail planted by the Government of Jamaica.

How bad must it get before we are called to action ?

Senator Morris elevation to President of the Senate is a perfect PR job

Make no bones about, I have no issue with Senator Morris at all as an individual, but what I absolutely distasteful about this recent move, is willingness to make it more  about Public Relations that a true desire to elevate a person with vision impairment to this position.

After the embarrassing episode of Mr Redwood and furore over his departure  what better way to celebrate what appears to be a major achievement of a individual with special needs and erase that utterly embarrassing moment of Mr Redwood migration.

I am going to borrow a line from Dr Davis.

Its symbolism, optics and is good for letter to the editor and selling ( replace paper with PNP).

 

Now the show must go on, lets us see the work that will go in to ensure he does not fail and let’s see the commitment to put things in place to show we are really serious about pushing for fundamental changes to assist those amongst us who are impaired in one way or another.

When I see that, then and only then will I back off my position that is a Grand PR moment.

Why are business leaders afraid to speak out ?

Well its not only business leaders who are afraid to speak out  but also media practitioners . There is one strong reason and its called “access”  while  another reason “fear” of back lash.

A government that is serious about moving the country forward and not about how the party itself is perceived is less inclined to “take action” against those it views as ” enemies of the state”. Portia Simpson Miller ” enemies of the state” comments must never be taken lightly as its a feeling that lies deep within the psychic of that party.

Many persons in business are happy to not have a certain arrogant individual as Minister of Finance for very good reasons and those same persons are more likely to work with Dr Peter Phillips than the other guy ( I guess you all know to whom I am referring to).

The other guys is said to be a vindictive individual who is willing to put any business under extreme pressure if you cross his part or being critical of him in public and many suffered at this hands in the past and now are walking on egg shell not sure how to proceed with the party in general.

I can however say that Dr Peter Phillips does not appear to be not like that other guy and appears willing to hear out the critics and even engage them on how to improve things.

Media practitioners makes a lot of money from the Government and as such many have also been walking the straight and narrow, not willing to rock the boat for fear of having their “oxygen support” cut off by a party that does not take criticism lightly.

You are likely to be subjected to excessive audits, problems with waivers and anything that is under government control unless you fall in line.

People are not quiet because everything is ok, they are quiet due to “fear” .

You must not be critical of Mama P and the PNP , do so at your own peril !

PNPYO in Turmoil !

There are some serious questions in PNPYO camp and this was evident by two separate press releases by the PNPYO Officers one based on Kingston and one from the President.

We understand that the Representative from the Kingston chapter who issued the second release critical of the decision by the President in relation to the Tivoli has been suspended effective 4pm, Wed, May 8, 2013.

We understand that the division is very wide and moves are being made to get the various factions together with a view of sorting out the many differences that exists.

A fitting description of Jamaica (today)

Credits  to the author.

Courtesy : Jamaica Observer

Time come Portia, time come (Repost)

This letter is being reproduced from the Jamaica Observer, without editing.

All credits goes to Ricardo Brooks

Dear Editor,

If ever a straw broke a camel’s back, that straw fell this afternoon (last week). The Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica released what may go down in Commonwealth history as the most unfortunate statement on behalf of a head of Government. Mrs Simpson Miller is purported to be “concerned” for the safety of the prime minister.

Portia Simpson Miller  1/1

 

Fair enough. The worrying aspect of this development is that there is no security threat — in the standard sense. Instead, the OPM released this dubious statement after members of the media sought a response from an ever-evasive Simpson Miller. In her now characteristic attempt to dodge the media, she was apparently struck by a microphone.

It is regrettable that the PM was struck, but the real issue, is why was she running? Why hasn’t she consented to sit for an interview. When one considers the PM’s abject refusal to face the press, it leads to one devastating conclusion. If a leader cannot face the country unscripted, it brings the competence of the leader into serious question.

It is shameful and unacceptable.

Since taking office, the PM has repeatedly told the nation that “time come”; time come for removing The Queen as Head of State, time come to take appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice, time come to put country above party, etc. I think the prime minister must now reflect on her own inability to lead the Government, indeed the country; time come, to step aside. Time come Portia, time come.

One of the most frequently levelled criticisms against the former government was its apparent arrogance. There was a time that the PM, as Opposition leader, convinced me that the Bruce Golding-led government was indeed too arrogant. I was inclined to agree that the tone and tenor of ministers like Daryl Vaz was offensive. Imagine my surprise now to find the Government led by Mrs. Simpson Miller even more arrogant. Imagine my shock and awe at the fact that the PM herself currently drips with contempt.

Our first point of contact with the arrogance of this Government was the minister with responsibility for information, Sandrea Falconer. Ms Falconer frequently treats the media as a collective nuisance and, in one instance, purported to have a right not to answer questions. Her tone now frequently implies that the country should get over whatever little foul-up her Cabinet colleagues have got themselves into. Even more unbelievable is her penchant to say “No comment”, or some other weak variation of it. Her tone is no different from that of a Daryl Vaz.

The problem is that Mrs Simpson Miller and the PNP represented a change. The mantra of “people power” promised a change in style, tone and leadership. It turns out we’ve jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. The most glaring example of this is the Richard Azan debacle. The state minister seemingly displayed poor judgement. The Cabinet rallied in support of their fellow Comrade. This is nonsense. The alleged act, if committed, is ample grounds for suspension, if not dismissal. Mr Azan should have been made to stand aside until it could be proven that he is indeed innocent. For someone always quick to call on former Prime Minister Golding to act, Mrs Simpson Miller seems to suffer from the disease of inaction.

Mrs. Simpson Miller has repeated every single fault she found with the Golding Government. She has not kept her promises, she has allowed the contempt of her ministers to go unchecked, she has appointed the second largest executive in the history of independent Jamaica, she has trampled on the concept of people power by refusing to face and have dialogue with the people of Jamaica in a meaningful way, she has said she’s working, but in reality all we see is ribbon cutting, baby kissing and ground breaking, and finally, she has remained deafeningly silent on every major issue facing Jamaica, choosing to hide behind her ministers. It is a crying shame.

I never wanted to be so decidedly anti-PNP, I never intended to be so strongly opposed to the leadership of Mrs Portia Simpson Miller. In fact, a part of me hoped she would have used the sizeable majority she commands in Parliament to enact some meaningful change in Jamaican politics, that was not to be. I am left angry, annoyed and resentful at our politics and political system. It is time for the PM to accept what is already evident to the whole nation, she cannot fulfil the role she has been asked to play. Is time to accept dat, Mama, time to seriously put country above party and above self. Time come Portia, time come.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/Time-come-Portia–time-come_14171215#ixzz2S4Untfw8

PNP “rape” of the NHT, when will it stop ?

Not satisfied with taking $45B from the NHT over a four year period, the Portia Simpson Miller led administration is once again seeking to hijack the funds in the NHT to regain some measure of popularity with the deluded “poor” and public sector workers .

I will point out a few things that really concerns me and these needs to be addressed by public commentators and financial analyst, who needs to make public their views so the average person can understand what is going on.

Point #1

May 1, 2013 – Jamaica Gleaner

This comment has been attributed to the current chairman of the NHT in the Jamaica Gleaner, Wed , May 1, 2013.

He said the NHT does its analysis of its financial position on a regular basis.

“Even when we were called upon for this $11.4 billion, we had already analysed what if we should be called upon to do this,” Douglas said.

Feb 22, 2013 Jamaica Gleaner

The Chairman of the NHT Easton Douglas was reported to have said then:

Yesterday, Douglas and Cecile Watson, the managing director of the NHT, when pressed about the impact of the withdrawal on the trust’s balance sheet, said sufficient analysis has not been done to provide such forecasting.

“We have not done the calculations,” Douglas insisted.

He, however, said that based on historical trends, the board is confident that it would have funds to carry out its normal operations

I am not sure how one reconcile the statement made in February and the which was made yesterday  but clearly someone is not telling Jamaicans the truth and we will have to ferret out that based on statements made then and now.

Point #2

Source : Jamaica Gleaner  April 23, 2010.

This is what said about the Inner City Renewal Project by the then Chairman of the NHT, Howard Mitchell as reported in the Jamaica Gleaner .

According to Mitchell, the NHT is facing a 37 per cent delinquency rate, as many persons granted houses under the inner-city programme are not meeting their monthly mortgage payments.

He said while evicting persons would be a last resort, the trust is implementing measures to collect the mortgages.

“We are working with the people in the communities to meet their commitments but we can’t throw them out of the house,” Mitchell told the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing held Wednesday at Jamaica House.

“It is not that these people don’t want to work, they want to work and if they get jobs they will work,” added Mitchell as he indicated that the NHT was close to signing a contract to complete the Inner-City Housing Programme in the South West St Andrew community of Majesty Gardens. (That constituency is represented by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller)

Source : Jamaica Gleaner May 1, 2013

He(Douglas) said that unlike the last bite of the ICHP, in which two-bedroom homes were constructed in four-storey apartment buildings, the rebirthed programme would see a combination of detached housing units such as studios.

Douglas, while saying he was not able to provide data on compliance yesterday, also indicated “it has improved substantially from the point of view of compliance in the payment of mortgages”.

The current Chairman CANNOT provide a single data point to back up his assertions and if he can we have not yet seen any such data as by virtue of his words, the analysis has not been done and so most of what he says appears to be based on GUT feeling vs verifiable data  that has been collected and detailed analysis that has been completed.

Is this how we run a country, is this the type of behaviour we should expect and accept from a person placed in a position to oversee and manage billions of dollars of tax payers money.

The role of the politician in  Jamaica traditionally been to  announce plans without any methodology to ensure these plans are viable and or sustainable and they( the politicians) can and have been allowed to get away with this for years. (For obvious reasons)

We cannot however allow a chairman and the board of a public cash rich organization such as the NHT to play to the whims and fancy of any political leader be it the PM or otherwise and simply be yes man to whatever initiative has been announced without the requite financial analysis to accomodate such plans.

The ICHP was stopped during the last JLP administration partly for political reasons( my views here ) as well as for financial reasons, due to the adverse effect it was likely to have on the financial health of the fund ( based on public available information).

During the JLP administration unemployment increased , which means there would have been less people in a position to pay their mortgages based solely on the fact that they have no income. PSM spoke about that and how Bruce promised job, jobs, jobs, but only provided , jabs, jabs, jabs.

Since the PNP came to power the unemployment rate has continued to rise based on many factors including the gross mismanagement of the affairs of the country by the PNP as well as external factors , but the former that the later.

This year, given the precipitous slide in the exchange rate as well as two JDX in a single mth and the financial losses to many organization, companies have signaled their intent to cut jobs to lower cost.

This therefore means a further increase in the number of unemployed persons in the country, but what’s does this have to do with the NHT.

The implications and likely impact on the PNP plans.

1. Less jobs means lower inflows to NHT  for obvious reasons, given that NHT funds are  deducted at source . This means NHT will see less funds coming in as long at the current economic climate prevails.
2. Less  jobs will more than likely lead to an increase in the delinquency rate, which once again means less income to the NHT .

It there is puzzling to me for the NHT to realistically do what the PM has announced in budget speech namely :

• Increased loan amount for serviced lots from $1.0 to $2.5m
• Extension of the 1% reduction in interest rates for another 2 years
• 15% reduction in peril insurance rates for public sector workers.

I have not had the chance to go through her entire presentation and so this piece is really not complete, so I may add to or create another thread when I have had a chance to review what she said.

Later folks.

My least favourite politicians (Current and Former)

Top there are in order of least favourite, the remainder are in no specific order

• Dr Omar Davis – Former Minister of Finance and Planing -PNP

• Edward Seaga – Former Prime Minister(JLP)

• Portia Simpson Miller – Current Prime Minister (PNP)

• Robert Pickersgill – Minister of water and climate change ? (PNP)

• Everald Warmington – MP (JLP)

• Mike Henry – Former JLP chairman and Minister of Transport and Works(JLP)

• AJ Nicholson – Minister of Foreign Affairs ( PNP)

• Daryl Vaz – MP (JLP)James Robertson – MP (JLP)

• James Robertson -MP (JLP)

 

Worst Performing Politician in recent memory

Robert Pickersgill – Minister of water and climate change ? (PNP)

Dr Omar Davis - Former Minister of Finance and Planing -(PNP)

Portia Simpson Miller - Current Prime Minister (PNP)

I guess you will all want to know why, well I will leave that for some other time.

What will Portia Simpson Miller say today ?

Given the bad situation Jamaica finds itself in today and an absentee  Prime Minister, who is unaware of what is going on around her, what can she bring to the table today, that is truly of her own thinking.

Can the PM  offer Jamaicans any hope or can we expect more rhetoric ?

Can the PM present any plan or set of plans that can restore hope for Jamaicans?

Will  she simply read a speech that has been prepared for her or will she present to the public something she has spent time thinking about and is of substance ?

Can we expect the usually talk of ” big plans” that can offer 30,000+ jobs ?

Will she speak more about expanding the crash program called Jeep?

Will she attempt to “samfie” Jamaicans once again by offering up some goodies like

1. Another increase in the income tax threshold
2. Additional NHT benefits (which cannot be fulfilled)

Will she make the usual plea for Jamaicans to give her and her government time to “rescue” the country from the previous 4 yrs of gross mismanagement by the previous administration?

Will she seek to lay blame at the feet of the previous administration for the delay in the IMF deal and the subsequent slide in the Jamaican dollar?

I have very little hope that this Prime Minister can or will deliver anything that can or will result in an improvement in the fortunes of the country.

I have not yet heard anything in the debate that shows we have a clear and concise plan, with specific actions items that are likely to give predictable results and which will improve the economy of Jamaica and the lives of Jamaicans.

We are on the verge on an IMF deal and our first quarterly “Test” will be in June /July of this year, yet most Jamaicans are unaware of the following:

1. What is the curriculum?
2. What material needs to be covered between now and then?
3. What are the expected outcome/ targets that we are expected to attain by then?
4. What leg work is being done now to prepare us for not only this test but the series of test  to come?
5. What represents pass or failure?
6. What do we need to ensure that pass is the natural outcome vs perennial failure which has been our legacy for the better part of the last 40 yrs and what will PSM outline today, that will lead us to believe that we buck the trend.

 

Call me pessimistic but I hold no hope that what she delivers will be no more that the usual BS meant to give the country false hope but devoid of substance.

For Jamaica’s sake I hope she surprises me and I turn out to be wrong this time around.

Why is my expectations so low of the PM,  well its based on  past demonstrated lack of performance and delivery of any substance meant to create long-term economic benefit for the county.

The problem with my position is having set the bar so low, it become easy to reach and therein lies the bigger issue.

Can PSM surprise me and the rest of Jamaica or will we get what we have come to expect?