I never subscribed to the notion that we have no option.  There is always a way, and usually, more than one way.  Be that as it may, we chose to go back to the IMF.  My disappointment is with the IMF.  Having deliberated for as long as they did, one was hoping that the main conditionality would have been that we address the issue of crime and violence with the urgency that it deserves.  We have not been doing that up to now.

Crime and violence are the biggest impediment to the programme, since it is the biggest impediment to investment and it is the biggest deterrent to Jamaicans overseas wishing to come home and get involved.  First, consensus would have to be reached between government and opposition, that, as far as the programme is concerned, Jamaica’s interest must be paramount and supercedes all political considerations.

The crime bills and the justice reforms must be fast-tracked simultaneously and be set a time line.  It can be done.  Last year, amendments to the Factories Act were passed in a matter of weeks, while we continue to carry a lot of outdated laws on the books.

When one considers that we broke the murder record last year, and this year, we are already ahead of where we were last year this time, it is incredible that the crime bills are not receiving priority treatment.

As important as the divestment of Air Jamaica and the other conditionality may be to the budget, they pale in comparison to the urgent need to restore and maintain law and order.  It is extremely difficult to understand how any structured programme with specific targets is going to succeed with our level of lawlessness and disorder.

On another note, the OUR should see that legitimate customers stop being charged for unaccounted for water and electricity.  Their consumption can be accounted for, and invariably, these are the same persons bearing the brunt of taxation while others get away.  This is a good time to dredge the two dams.  Food for thought (or water under the bridge)?

Victor E. Nugent
P.O. Box 206
St. Ann’s Bay