THE EDITOR, Sir:
THROUGH YOUR pages, I would like to ask the Jamaican Government what plans there are to promote and encourage agricultural trade and support to our African countries. Hardly a day goes by without a news broadcast of Black African children suffering from malnutrition and disease caused by poverty. I can buy better Jamaican products (yam, bananas, etc.) in England than I saw during my recent visit to Jamaica.
That's commendable, but when our brothers and sisters are being pressured and held to ransom by the superpowers, then the Black countries who can assist should do so. How much food has been sent to Zimbabwe for instance? There is a long history of Black nations sitting back and letting their Black African nations starve and perish under the boots of the superpowers. Surely some form of trading system can be set up between the Black nations.
REAL INDEPENDENCE
We need to stop relying on handouts. There's never a week when there isn't an article in the Black press about Jamaica borrowing from this nation and that nation. Jamaica is a rich land; we need to stop allowing other nations to dig up the land, rob us of our bauxite for a pittance, siphoning off the mineral water and the earth's resources and experimenting with our crops and produce. We need to go back to farming and to focus more on being self-sufficient. We need to teach our youngsters pride in themselves, their race and their country, instead of teaching them to be greedy and selfish, with the sole aim of acquiring the latest footwear and fashion accessory.
I would also like to ask what plans the Government intends to put in place to allow overseas residents the right to vote in Jamaican elections.
On the question of returning residents, the Government needs to do more by way of changing the law to prevent squatters moving in and taking over people's properties and building on their land. There should be a simple process whereby notice of eviction is given and enforcement shortly after.
I am, etc.,
B.D.
London, England
Via Go-Jamaica
