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(Term limits for the office of the Prime Minister and provisions for a fixed election period.) I hope he is serious because a lot of people have high hopes !
'Woefully inadequate'
New gov't pumps additional $280-m into crime-fighting efforts
Monday, November 12, 2007
GOVERNMENT has authorised $280 million in additional expenditure to assist the police in its crime-fighting efforts, saying that the force's present crime prevention, detection and apprehension capabilities are "woefully inadequate".
"One of our biggest challenges is to tackle the high crime rate," Prime Minister Bruce Golding said in an address to the nation last night, while highlighting challenges faced by the country.
"Our crime prevention, detection and apprehension capabilities are woefully inadequate," he said.
"We have moved to address some of the resource deficiencies that are hampering the police force."
Golding said that the funds would be used to improve mobility, repair damaged police stations, as well as provide protective and other equipment to enable the police to deploy more resources to crime hot spots.
"Our policing strategies will have to be more professional, scientific and better co-ordinated if they are to be more effective," the prime minister said.
During his first address to the nation since taking office two months ago, Golding outlined numerous challenges faced by the country, such as the rising cost of oil and sliding dollar, but said that tackling the high crime rate was the one of the biggest.
He said that in order to reduce crime on a sustained basis, emphasis would have to be placed on removing the cause of crime.
"The lack of jobs and opportunities, the appalling social conditions, especially in our inner-city communities and the reckless parenting to which so many of our young boys are exposed," Golding said were some of the root causes.
"The society will not be able to reduce crime if it is producing criminals at a faster rate than it can apprehend them."
He added that the first task of the new Commissioner of Police was to "lead the process of transformation to provide a police force that was capable of enforcing the law and keeping the peace".
Private sector/government initiatives to create a platform for new investment and job creation were also being discussed against the background of rising crime, Golding said.
"Some of these will take time because they involve significant changes in the way we are now accustomed to doing business said Golding but we are working feverishly to put these new measures in place," said Golding.
Addressing the rising cost of oil Golding said that alternative would have to be found to reduce the country's dependence on oil which has increased dramatically from $72 per barrel in August to a current $96 per barrel.
A Cabinet secretary has also been appointed to oversee the review of all the alternatives to imported oil and recommend the most suitable option in the wake of rising oil prices, Golding said.
"There is little we can do in the short run because almost 90 per cent of our energy supplies are derived from imported oil, but we will have to do something for the medium and long term," he added.
To that effect, Golding said that discussions are being held with potential investors regarding the production of bio fuels, such as the use of castor-oil beans. "Our prospects for locally produced ethanol await the privatisation of the sugar industry which is on stream."
Golding explained the domino effect caused by rising world oil prices, and said that in the last two months the cost of wheat imported into Jamaica has risen by more than 50 per cent pushing up the price of bread and other staples. "These have been rough times for the consumer and I know many of you are hurting," said Golding; adding that government has been in dialogue with the financial market, which has "responded positively to the efforts we have made to contain what could have been a fiscal explosion."
Where the depreciation of the dollar is concerned, Golding said that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), was "managing the situation proactively and the nation can be assured of stability in the foreign exchange market."
The Prime Minister also highlighted measures promised during the election campaign that, he said, will be implemented over the short term:
. An independent authority to investigate abuses by members of the security forces.
. A special coroner to conduct inquests where a citizen dies at the hands of agents of the State.
. Measures to criminalise breaches of the rules governing the awards of government contracts
. Establishment of a special prosecutor to investigate and "bring justice to those involved in corrupt practices".
. A whistleblower legislation to protect those who provide information about corrupt and illegal activities.
. Reform of the libel laws to make it easier to expose those involved in wrongdoing.
. Term limits for the office of the Prime Minister and provisions for a fixed election period.
. Roll back of pensions payable to Prime Ministers and a decision to limit Parliamentary salary increases to the amount paid to public sector workers.
"Work is being fast tracked on all these issues and the appropriate legislation will be brought to Parliament shortly," Golding said.
'Woefully inadequate'
New gov't pumps additional $280-m into crime-fighting efforts
Monday, November 12, 2007
GOVERNMENT has authorised $280 million in additional expenditure to assist the police in its crime-fighting efforts, saying that the force's present crime prevention, detection and apprehension capabilities are "woefully inadequate".
"One of our biggest challenges is to tackle the high crime rate," Prime Minister Bruce Golding said in an address to the nation last night, while highlighting challenges faced by the country.
"Our crime prevention, detection and apprehension capabilities are woefully inadequate," he said.
"We have moved to address some of the resource deficiencies that are hampering the police force."
Golding said that the funds would be used to improve mobility, repair damaged police stations, as well as provide protective and other equipment to enable the police to deploy more resources to crime hot spots.
"Our policing strategies will have to be more professional, scientific and better co-ordinated if they are to be more effective," the prime minister said.
During his first address to the nation since taking office two months ago, Golding outlined numerous challenges faced by the country, such as the rising cost of oil and sliding dollar, but said that tackling the high crime rate was the one of the biggest.
He said that in order to reduce crime on a sustained basis, emphasis would have to be placed on removing the cause of crime.
"The lack of jobs and opportunities, the appalling social conditions, especially in our inner-city communities and the reckless parenting to which so many of our young boys are exposed," Golding said were some of the root causes.
"The society will not be able to reduce crime if it is producing criminals at a faster rate than it can apprehend them."
He added that the first task of the new Commissioner of Police was to "lead the process of transformation to provide a police force that was capable of enforcing the law and keeping the peace".
Private sector/government initiatives to create a platform for new investment and job creation were also being discussed against the background of rising crime, Golding said.
"Some of these will take time because they involve significant changes in the way we are now accustomed to doing business said Golding but we are working feverishly to put these new measures in place," said Golding.
Addressing the rising cost of oil Golding said that alternative would have to be found to reduce the country's dependence on oil which has increased dramatically from $72 per barrel in August to a current $96 per barrel.
A Cabinet secretary has also been appointed to oversee the review of all the alternatives to imported oil and recommend the most suitable option in the wake of rising oil prices, Golding said.
"There is little we can do in the short run because almost 90 per cent of our energy supplies are derived from imported oil, but we will have to do something for the medium and long term," he added.
To that effect, Golding said that discussions are being held with potential investors regarding the production of bio fuels, such as the use of castor-oil beans. "Our prospects for locally produced ethanol await the privatisation of the sugar industry which is on stream."
Golding explained the domino effect caused by rising world oil prices, and said that in the last two months the cost of wheat imported into Jamaica has risen by more than 50 per cent pushing up the price of bread and other staples. "These have been rough times for the consumer and I know many of you are hurting," said Golding; adding that government has been in dialogue with the financial market, which has "responded positively to the efforts we have made to contain what could have been a fiscal explosion."
Where the depreciation of the dollar is concerned, Golding said that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), was "managing the situation proactively and the nation can be assured of stability in the foreign exchange market."
The Prime Minister also highlighted measures promised during the election campaign that, he said, will be implemented over the short term:
. An independent authority to investigate abuses by members of the security forces.
. A special coroner to conduct inquests where a citizen dies at the hands of agents of the State.
. Measures to criminalise breaches of the rules governing the awards of government contracts
. Establishment of a special prosecutor to investigate and "bring justice to those involved in corrupt practices".
. A whistleblower legislation to protect those who provide information about corrupt and illegal activities.
. Reform of the libel laws to make it easier to expose those involved in wrongdoing.
. Term limits for the office of the Prime Minister and provisions for a fixed election period.
. Roll back of pensions payable to Prime Ministers and a decision to limit Parliamentary salary increases to the amount paid to public sector workers.
"Work is being fast tracked on all these issues and the appropriate legislation will be brought to Parliament shortly," Golding said.