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Review of PNP 2002 election manifesto
published: Sunday | October 8, 2006 <DIV class=KonaBody>
Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
Five of the 23 wind turbines that grace the Wigton Windfarm in Wigton, Manchester which was officially opened on July 29, 2004. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
The curtains are closing on the fourth term of the People's National Party (PNP) government and there are still many campaign promises that it made to the people that have not been fulfilled. These include a number of macroeconomic and social policies that have either resulted in reversed or slowed growth of the economy. There are some that are yet to be implemented, so the results can be weighed. Here are some of those promises made in its 2002 manifesto.
Promises
Economic Transformation
Macroeconomic growth targets
GDP growth of two four per cent in the medium term and six per cent thereafter.
Reduce unemployment by 10 per cent
Reduce poverty by 25 per cent
Maintaining low inflation at close to 5 per cent in line with levels existing in the economies of our major trading partners in order to preserve income and wealth
Reduction of debt to GDP ratio 100 per cent by 2006 and then 90 per cent as part of the strategy to manage the national debt and reduce debt servicing costs.
A 25 per cent improvement in international competitiveness.
Deliveries
Real Gross Domestic Product has had only an average growth of 1.2 per cent annually and a 4-year growth of only 4.2 per cent according to data provided by the Economic and Social Survey.
Unemployment has been reduced by only 3.7 per cent in the last four years from 15.1 per cent in 2002 to 11.3 per cent. Unemployment is still greatest among young people with a rate of 25.7 per cent.
Poverty has also declined minimally. It has gone down by 4.9 per cent a distant mark from the 25 per cent reduction promised by the end of the fourth term. The jointly prepared PIOJ and STATIN report: Survey of Living Conditions shows the incidence of poverty was still greatest in rural areas where agriculture is the means of survival for many.
Inflation trend has reversed drastically. It increased from seven per cent in 2002 to 15.3 per cent in 2005. It dropped for the first time to 14.7 per cent in April of this year, the PIOJ says in its monthly report and down to 13 per cent in June.
Government has only been able to reduce the debt to GDP ratio by a mere 15 per cent since 2002 where it stood at 150 per cent. Debt to GDP ratio currently stands at 135 per cent.
Jamaica's growth competitive-ness index declined significantly last year. The country moved down five places from 65th to 70th while it earned a ranking of 53 in its business competitiveness index according to the World Economic Forum, which produces the global competitiveness report, the most authoritative report on economic competitiveness.
Promises
Law and Order
Channel significant resources into the modernisation of our law enforcement infrastructure, as well as strengthen the legislative framework to stamp out every violation of the law. To give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty for heinous murder, the necessary constitutional amend-ments will be introduced.
Delivery
Since last year the Government has been upgrading the office of the Director of Public Prosecu-tions and Court of Appeal with computerised technology and newly-trained staff. A comprehen-sive review of the justice system is also slated to take place by a contracted Canadian firm later this month. However, the necessary constitutional amendments to give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty have not been introduced due what the Opposit
published: Sunday | October 8, 2006 <DIV class=KonaBody>
Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
Five of the 23 wind turbines that grace the Wigton Windfarm in Wigton, Manchester which was officially opened on July 29, 2004. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
The curtains are closing on the fourth term of the People's National Party (PNP) government and there are still many campaign promises that it made to the people that have not been fulfilled. These include a number of macroeconomic and social policies that have either resulted in reversed or slowed growth of the economy. There are some that are yet to be implemented, so the results can be weighed. Here are some of those promises made in its 2002 manifesto.
Promises
Economic Transformation
Macroeconomic growth targets
GDP growth of two four per cent in the medium term and six per cent thereafter.
Reduce unemployment by 10 per cent
Reduce poverty by 25 per cent
Maintaining low inflation at close to 5 per cent in line with levels existing in the economies of our major trading partners in order to preserve income and wealth
Reduction of debt to GDP ratio 100 per cent by 2006 and then 90 per cent as part of the strategy to manage the national debt and reduce debt servicing costs.
A 25 per cent improvement in international competitiveness.
Deliveries
Real Gross Domestic Product has had only an average growth of 1.2 per cent annually and a 4-year growth of only 4.2 per cent according to data provided by the Economic and Social Survey.
Unemployment has been reduced by only 3.7 per cent in the last four years from 15.1 per cent in 2002 to 11.3 per cent. Unemployment is still greatest among young people with a rate of 25.7 per cent.
Poverty has also declined minimally. It has gone down by 4.9 per cent a distant mark from the 25 per cent reduction promised by the end of the fourth term. The jointly prepared PIOJ and STATIN report: Survey of Living Conditions shows the incidence of poverty was still greatest in rural areas where agriculture is the means of survival for many.
Inflation trend has reversed drastically. It increased from seven per cent in 2002 to 15.3 per cent in 2005. It dropped for the first time to 14.7 per cent in April of this year, the PIOJ says in its monthly report and down to 13 per cent in June.
Government has only been able to reduce the debt to GDP ratio by a mere 15 per cent since 2002 where it stood at 150 per cent. Debt to GDP ratio currently stands at 135 per cent.
Jamaica's growth competitive-ness index declined significantly last year. The country moved down five places from 65th to 70th while it earned a ranking of 53 in its business competitiveness index according to the World Economic Forum, which produces the global competitiveness report, the most authoritative report on economic competitiveness.
Promises
Law and Order
Channel significant resources into the modernisation of our law enforcement infrastructure, as well as strengthen the legislative framework to stamp out every violation of the law. To give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty for heinous murder, the necessary constitutional amend-ments will be introduced.
Delivery
Since last year the Government has been upgrading the office of the Director of Public Prosecu-tions and Court of Appeal with computerised technology and newly-trained staff. A comprehen-sive review of the justice system is also slated to take place by a contracted Canadian firm later this month. However, the necessary constitutional amendments to give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty have not been introduced due what the Opposit
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