THE MANAGEMENT capacity of the public sector seems to have been in constant decline since Independence in 1962. The decline accelerated during the People's National Party (PNP) administration of Michael Manley in the 1970s when party loyalty was given greater weight than competence. The operations of the Pickersgill Committee were widely seen as a formal mechanism to ensure such choice.
P.J. Patterson's tenure will be remembered for quiet speech and outstanding politicking, but a lack of decisive vision and leadership in stamping out corruption, creating economic growth and demanding world-class competence in public administration.
Our new charismatic Prime Minister may have been elected by PNP delegates who are not representative of the electorate, but she has caught the imagination of a great portion of the populace. She was not elected because she was a woman although that played a part. She was elected to create change and an improvement in the economic quality of life of Jamaicans. She needs now to show a different vision and energy level to her predecessor.
Patterson did not dislike the business community but he was not at ease with its members. Few if any business people appeared in the Cabinet, although apparently invitations were issued. There was a perception that issues such as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and the Caribbean Court were much higher on the agenda than job creation. Direct foreign investment grew but the development/maintenance of agricultural and manufacturing jobs did not seem important.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller must consider shifting gears and to do so quickly as Jamaica is being left behind by much of the world. There is a grave shortage of jobs in Jamaica. Current thought suggests that the fastest way to create new jobs is in small businesses. Providing new capital is needed but there needs to be better management.
Mrs. Simpson Miller may wish to consider implementing a few measures in her first 100 days. Their implementation will indicate that she is a new and creative leader. As a start she should:
Declare war on corruption and waste The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption has been a failure; so have the Jamaica Constabulary Force's efforts to deal with corruption in the force, which should be reorganised to optimise its performance within existing financial resources.
Challenge the Jamaica Teachers' Association and the Ministry of Education to chart a new course; they are failing Jamaica.
Enforce the laws beginning with traffic regulations to eliminate among other things, the corrupt payment for drivers' licences.
Appoint good managers to public boards.
Allow for some form of representation of the Jamaican diaspora in the Senate at the ministerial level.
Declare her own income and assets and make public those of all the Cabinet. Similarly, there should be public funding to parties for the next election and an insistence on disclosure of all other contributions.
Encourage a change of public attitude to persons living with AIDS.
Consolidate all the different payroll taxes into one tax.
Accelerate a programme to give title to the many thousands of Jamaicans who legally occupy land without title.
This list is not intended to be other than indicative. Our advice to the Prime Minister is to choose a few significant and important activities and create visible change and fast. No one expects that all critical issues can be addressed at once, but there must be some.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
