JLP Leader, Edward Seaga (left), confers with Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, MP for Central St. Catherine and Dr. Percival Broderick, acting deputy chairman of the JLP (right) at the Stony Hill HEART Academy in St. Andrew yesterday. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga yesterday outlined a six-point proposal which he said could help Jamaica recover from what he described as the largest economic crisis ever to face the island.
Speaking to hundreds of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leaders, councillors and delegates at the Stony Hill HEART Academy in St. Andrew yesterday, he said the rapid devaluation of the Jamaican dollar combined with climbing interest rates, a stagnant economy and Government's massive tax plan will pommel consumers, increasing the prices of goods and services by more than 50 per cent and up to 100 per cent in some cases.
The Opposition Leader called for the Government to abandon the imposition of a four per cent cess on imported goods, which Finance Minister, Dr. Davies said, would net $3.75 billion. The cess imposition has incensed business leaders and associations, which have vowed to fight it.
He also proposed that Government intervene in the foreign exchange market to halt the dollar slide by using the Net International Reserves (NIR) as part of its efforts to calm the nation.
He suggested that the Ministry of Development and Ministry of Information be scrapped; that the Ministries of Tourism and Industry be merged with Trade and Commerce as should the Ministries of Local Government and Labour and Social Security and the Ministries of Land and Environment and Agriculture. The Information Ministry should go back to being the responsibility of the Office of the Prime Minister, he said.
Among Mr. Seaga's proposals was one which he said could save Government billions of dollars was for the termination of all contracts held by former politicians; reducing the number of other consultants being used by Government; reviewing their various wage packages and, reducing the number of overseas travel done by public sector officials and the size of their delegations.
More suggestions for rescuing Jamaica, he said, would be given during his address to the nation on Wednesday night.
He also wants the Government to appoint the Appropriations Committee of the House now, under the chairmanship of an Opposition member so that the budget can be continuously monitored monthly.
In addition, he recommended that the Government reduce the amount of money being spent on independence and other celebrations as the country cannot afford this and allow the people to state their views by holding Local Government elections by June 30, as promised.
Mr. Seaga also reiterated the JLP's plan to fight any attempt to abolish the Privy Council as the final court of appeal for Jamaicans and pledged that the party, if it came to power, would pull out of the court.
