The Editor, Sir:

We have procrastinated, we have pontificated, we have prayed and we have found distractions such as the wages of the former Bank of Jamaica governor.

Jamaica's ever dwindling capacity to attract investment, the grave imbalance in trade, the steady deterioration of infrastructure, the failure to upgrade facilities, such as pipelines for water, to accommodate growing demand and, of course, the conundrum which is 'Dudus' and what he represents, tied in with corruption and the worldwide recession, have all contributed to our current predicament.

However, crime is the number one deterrent to investment. If an investor wants to build a factory in downtown Kingston (or any other town) he faces extortion, being forced to take on employees who may not be fit for the business. He also may have a smaller pool of employees to choose from because of social demographics and fear i.e. someone from one community not being able to enter another community.

Crime plaguing agriculture

The minister of agriculture, Christopher Tufton, seems to be doing a sterling job in attempting to revitalise the farming sector. But again crime is most detrimental to this industry. Farm animals are stolen with impunity, farmers' produce are reaped by people with no interest in the work required to grow crops. Praedial larceny is rampant!

A friend of mine was growing scotch bonnet peppers as well as other cash crops for export, and not only was virtually all the crops stolen but so was the fencing as well, accompanied by threats to his life if he protested too loudly about his losses. He has subsequently stopped farming, and the people he once employed no longer have a source of income.

I am sure this situation is replicated many times throughout the country. So, instead of being self-sufficient and being able to generate foreign exchange, the situation is reversed - we import and spend more, thereby increasing the trade deficit.

ASPHYXIATION

For far too long, crime and corruption have had the country in a stranglehold; not allowing any 'oxygen' while slowly killing all within. Successive governments have failed miserably to address the monster of crime and corruption. Under the previous government there was a glimmer when 'Zekes' was arrested despite downtown Kingston having been closed down. Unfortunately, they failed to follow up.

The current Government has a unique opportunity to put away the crime bosses. By doing this they will have the impetus to start breathing new life into the country, after mopping up criminals and their gangs (even if some politicians and people in high society are included).

Bruce Golding, prime minister of Jamaica, are you strong enough? Do you care enough to unshackle us?

I am, etc.,

PAUL GENTLES

jensamue@tiscali.co.uk

London, England