Jamaica has always been a 9-day wonder country. It has always been! This is one reason our leaders were always prepared to wait out the drama until we forget. Sad indeed! Who remembers the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) drama of 2011? Looking back, when one examines the way, the project was conceptualized, managed and politicized, it all goes to the heart of why Jamaica continues to be poor after 60+ years of administering our own affairs. None of the players in this tragic drama would spend their own money in such a reckless manner. To my knowledge, no one has yet been brought to book despite negative external audit outcomes. We simply move on to the next project. For far too long we have allowed these politicians and some public servants to ride roughshod over this nations business while we sit by and comfort ourselves in the nonsense that both sides do it so “a no nutten”. The so called “uncommitted” had better get off their fences and take a stand if they wish to make this island the paradise home for their children and themselves. Left to the diehard on both sides of the political divide, Jamaica has only one way going, and that’s deeper and deeper into chaos, indiscipline and abject poverty, despite claims to the contrary!
I remember reading Dr. Omar Davies’ account of the JDIP scandal in the Gleaner of Sunday December 11, 2011, it seemed to me that the government, through the cabinet and its agents in the house of representatives, at the time, were all complicit in the act of keeping the JDIP matters hidden from public scrutiny, by ensuring it was kept off the estimates of expenditure and hence not subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Is it that they all had something to hide?
We are talking about US$340 million (J$29.3 billion) of borrowed money that must be repaid by the Jamaican people! Such total disregard for proper and transparent administration of such funds in properly regulated societies would lead to significant prosecutions of persons so entrusted by the public. These are issues that should never be allowed to simply go away. But alas, this is Jamaica!
It was indeed distressing that this matter didn’t seem to be of any great concern to the people of this country in the run up to the 2011 national elections. According to the polls, a significant number of Jamaicans are of the view that JLP leader, Andrew Holness “deserve a chance”. What chance? Mr Holness has been there all along! Jamaica is in too serious a place to talk about giving someone a chance. We had better wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late. For too long too many of us have been complicit in fostering and encouraging a culture of corruption in public life. As a people, our hearts have been laced with larceny, and as such we are ok with corrupt practices so long as we are benefitting from it. We simply cannot continue in this way. No society can achieve greatness in this way. And yes, the government was changed as a result of the 2011 elections, but to my knowledge, to date there has been no resolution of that critical matter!
Fast forward to 2025. Has national governance showed any sign of improvement? Has there been more accountabilities built into our systems of government? In all my life observing national politics, I’ve never witnessed such an obvious breakdown in accountability throughout our government systems. Much of this is due to too many unqualified people in leadership positions, but a significant element is that our politics has attracted over the years far too many corrupt people at the helm. Jamaicans must start asking the simple yet fundamental question when we seek to place individuals in charge of our country and our lives, WOULD I PLACE THIS PERSON IN CHARGE OF MY BUSINESS IF I WERE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR? If your answer is no, then why on earth do you think they will make great public servants?
After 60+ years, it’s time it be made clear to persons wishing to enter public life, that accountability and good management practices are expected and will be demanded in government. I still await patiently, yet not with bated breath, the prosecutions, trials and subsequent imprisonments that must follow not just JDIP, but all the numerous investigations done over the past several years. I am tired of living in a poor country that needn’t be poor.
