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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Let's make the most of 2007</SPAN>
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Monday, January 01, 2007
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>Every New Year brings its own challenges. Some we can predict from a distance. Others spring up unexpectedly, like the malaria outbreak which remains a worry as Jamaicans enter 2007. The true test is how as a nation we are able to deal with those challenges.<P class=StoryText align=justify>One major test, we know, will be the conduct of orderly, peaceful parliamentary elections which are constitutionally due this year. Since we are now about to enter the height of what is expected to be a bumper winter tourist season and since the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean is set for March and April, we can safely say that the elections won't be held before mid-year. But there will be much at stake.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been in opposition since 1989 and naturally is anxious to gain what it believes to be its rightful place as the governing party of this country.
But while its critics claim it has grown fat, inefficient and corrupt after well nigh 18 years in government, the ruling People's National Party (PNP) is not about to roll over and die.<P class=StoryText align=justify>For the two leaders, current prime minister, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller of the PNP and Mr Bruce Golding of the JLP, defeat would seriously erode the perception of their capacity to lead their respective parties. To complicate matters, the public opinion polls are suggesting that the elections will be closely contested.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Clearly then, a big challenge for the two major political parties will be to ensure that their candidates and supporters play by the rules. That way, we can make sure that we go to the polls without the tribal violence and criminality that was so prevalent at election time in the 1970s and '80s.
Critically too, the eyes of the cricketing world will be on Jamaica. It falls to us to host the CWC opening ceremony at the newly built Trelawny Stadium just outside Falmouth to be watched by a global televised audience. Four warm-up games will also be held at the new stadium.<P class=StoryText align=justify>At Sabina Park, Jamaica's more than 100-year-old headquarters of cricket, now upgraded to a modern stadium, Jamaica will play host to six first round World Cup games as well as a semi-final.
At the risk of sounding preachy, this newspaper feels compelled to implore that organisation in every aspect regarding Jamaica's hosting of the World Cup be thorough, leaving nothing to chance. There must be no foul-ups.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Then of course there are the old challenges still to be overcome. Despite small economic gains, the majority of Jamaicans are mired in poverty. High unemployment, inadequate schooling, health care and shelter, remain at the forefront of our problems.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But worst of all is crime. We are thankful obviously for the 20 per cent reduction in overall murders in 2006. But that still leaves us with a horrendously high murder figure.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The criminals, who are now spreading their tentacles to our once peaceful rural towns and villages must be stopped and rooted out. We must make the necessary sacrifices and do whatever we have to do including the facilitation of mass fingerprint identification technology - once the experts agree that it will make a difference - to shut down criminals.
A new year brings new opportunities and new ways of doing things. Let's make the most of it.
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>
Monday, January 01, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>Every New Year brings its own challenges. Some we can predict from a distance. Others spring up unexpectedly, like the malaria outbreak which remains a worry as Jamaicans enter 2007. The true test is how as a nation we are able to deal with those challenges.<P class=StoryText align=justify>One major test, we know, will be the conduct of orderly, peaceful parliamentary elections which are constitutionally due this year. Since we are now about to enter the height of what is expected to be a bumper winter tourist season and since the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean is set for March and April, we can safely say that the elections won't be held before mid-year. But there will be much at stake.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been in opposition since 1989 and naturally is anxious to gain what it believes to be its rightful place as the governing party of this country.
But while its critics claim it has grown fat, inefficient and corrupt after well nigh 18 years in government, the ruling People's National Party (PNP) is not about to roll over and die.<P class=StoryText align=justify>For the two leaders, current prime minister, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller of the PNP and Mr Bruce Golding of the JLP, defeat would seriously erode the perception of their capacity to lead their respective parties. To complicate matters, the public opinion polls are suggesting that the elections will be closely contested.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Clearly then, a big challenge for the two major political parties will be to ensure that their candidates and supporters play by the rules. That way, we can make sure that we go to the polls without the tribal violence and criminality that was so prevalent at election time in the 1970s and '80s.
Critically too, the eyes of the cricketing world will be on Jamaica. It falls to us to host the CWC opening ceremony at the newly built Trelawny Stadium just outside Falmouth to be watched by a global televised audience. Four warm-up games will also be held at the new stadium.<P class=StoryText align=justify>At Sabina Park, Jamaica's more than 100-year-old headquarters of cricket, now upgraded to a modern stadium, Jamaica will play host to six first round World Cup games as well as a semi-final.
At the risk of sounding preachy, this newspaper feels compelled to implore that organisation in every aspect regarding Jamaica's hosting of the World Cup be thorough, leaving nothing to chance. There must be no foul-ups.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Then of course there are the old challenges still to be overcome. Despite small economic gains, the majority of Jamaicans are mired in poverty. High unemployment, inadequate schooling, health care and shelter, remain at the forefront of our problems.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But worst of all is crime. We are thankful obviously for the 20 per cent reduction in overall murders in 2006. But that still leaves us with a horrendously high murder figure.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The criminals, who are now spreading their tentacles to our once peaceful rural towns and villages must be stopped and rooted out. We must make the necessary sacrifices and do whatever we have to do including the facilitation of mass fingerprint identification technology - once the experts agree that it will make a difference - to shut down criminals.
A new year brings new opportunities and new ways of doing things. Let's make the most of it.