Tweet
Moving JDF Is Unaffordable
Published: Monday | December 13, 20104 Comments and 0 Reactions
This administration has already committed several blatant errors in judgement, but, because Jamaica is exceedingly politically polarised and because so many depend on their political party for survival, there have been no serious consequences thus far. However, the recent announcement of plans to relocate the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters from Up Park Camp (in the capital, Kingston) to Caymanas (St Catherine) in these austere times is indicative of a disconnect between the Government and the people and is bound to have negative political repercussions.
In spite of our deep economic crisis, plans for this major logistical and financial undertaking were publicised as a fait accompli with the customary autocracy that people hate. The public-health sector is in crisis. This administration scoffed at nearly $2 billion per annum in fees collected from those who could afford to pay something for government health services. Now, several life-saving diagnostic machines, reagents, disposables, testing apparatuses and vital equipment are woefully lacking. Staff, beds and space for good health care have been replaced by crowds, long lines and substandard services.
Monies owed
How can we afford to move JDF now when many civil servants are gruffly told that the Government simply cannot afford to pay them monies owed? The Government continues to owe suppliers and people with settlements against it, yet the JDF headquarters are to be moved. The Government is so broke that it still owes an ordinary citizen like me just about $160,000 for vehicular damage occurring in September 2004, yet the JDF is to be moved. Our roads (especially a multitude of residential roads) are in absolute disrepair, yet JDF is to be moved. Funds are needed for flood repairs and for the Dudus saga (caused by party politics), yet JDF is to be moved. In scrounging around for funds, the Government has visited and revisited taxes on many items and services, yet JDF is to be moved.
The official reason for moving JDF out of town and out of the possibility of quick deployment, should the need arise, is to use the Up Park Camp real estate for housing. Sure, in time, the development should reap financial rewards but, obviously, no environmental planning went into this decision. Urban housing there will kill the green space that it now provides for the environment and transform it into another concrete and asphalt milieu. And, the albedo (reflectivity of sunlight) effect is certain to heat up that area.
Expensive 'catchy' words
Catchy words like 'retrofit', 'rejuvenate', 'reposition' and 'revitalise' don't come cheap. There must be extensive infrastructural work at Up Park Camp and Caymanas. There must be massive government expenditure at both sites. Since losing confidence in the veracity of our leaders, people are wondering what we are not being told ... like, who are the people who will benefit from all these upcoming contracts? Contractor General notwith-standing, citizens expect that political favours will be involved ... as usual.
Besides the loss of this national treasure, other concerns abound. With JDF based in St Catherine, what will happen if it rains heavily and the city is cut off? What if nefarious characters launch another all-out assault on civil society and mount stout roadblocks on the few arterial roadways? Won't it be easier for criminals to reconnoitre the movement of a Caymanas-based JDF? Will our taxes and/or more foreign loans fund this colossal undertaking?
Since we are so horribly broke, why not leave the 270-acre Up Park Camp property alone, develop the 4,000-acre Caymanas 'corridor' for housing/commerce and decongest our constipated/polluted city for the safety and well-being of everyone?
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent back to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Published: Monday | December 13, 20104 Comments and 0 Reactions
This administration has already committed several blatant errors in judgement, but, because Jamaica is exceedingly politically polarised and because so many depend on their political party for survival, there have been no serious consequences thus far. However, the recent announcement of plans to relocate the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters from Up Park Camp (in the capital, Kingston) to Caymanas (St Catherine) in these austere times is indicative of a disconnect between the Government and the people and is bound to have negative political repercussions.
In spite of our deep economic crisis, plans for this major logistical and financial undertaking were publicised as a fait accompli with the customary autocracy that people hate. The public-health sector is in crisis. This administration scoffed at nearly $2 billion per annum in fees collected from those who could afford to pay something for government health services. Now, several life-saving diagnostic machines, reagents, disposables, testing apparatuses and vital equipment are woefully lacking. Staff, beds and space for good health care have been replaced by crowds, long lines and substandard services.
Monies owed
How can we afford to move JDF now when many civil servants are gruffly told that the Government simply cannot afford to pay them monies owed? The Government continues to owe suppliers and people with settlements against it, yet the JDF headquarters are to be moved. The Government is so broke that it still owes an ordinary citizen like me just about $160,000 for vehicular damage occurring in September 2004, yet the JDF is to be moved. Our roads (especially a multitude of residential roads) are in absolute disrepair, yet JDF is to be moved. Funds are needed for flood repairs and for the Dudus saga (caused by party politics), yet JDF is to be moved. In scrounging around for funds, the Government has visited and revisited taxes on many items and services, yet JDF is to be moved.
The official reason for moving JDF out of town and out of the possibility of quick deployment, should the need arise, is to use the Up Park Camp real estate for housing. Sure, in time, the development should reap financial rewards but, obviously, no environmental planning went into this decision. Urban housing there will kill the green space that it now provides for the environment and transform it into another concrete and asphalt milieu. And, the albedo (reflectivity of sunlight) effect is certain to heat up that area.
Expensive 'catchy' words
Catchy words like 'retrofit', 'rejuvenate', 'reposition' and 'revitalise' don't come cheap. There must be extensive infrastructural work at Up Park Camp and Caymanas. There must be massive government expenditure at both sites. Since losing confidence in the veracity of our leaders, people are wondering what we are not being told ... like, who are the people who will benefit from all these upcoming contracts? Contractor General notwith-standing, citizens expect that political favours will be involved ... as usual.
Besides the loss of this national treasure, other concerns abound. With JDF based in St Catherine, what will happen if it rains heavily and the city is cut off? What if nefarious characters launch another all-out assault on civil society and mount stout roadblocks on the few arterial roadways? Won't it be easier for criminals to reconnoitre the movement of a Caymanas-based JDF? Will our taxes and/or more foreign loans fund this colossal undertaking?
Since we are so horribly broke, why not leave the 270-acre Up Park Camp property alone, develop the 4,000-acre Caymanas 'corridor' for housing/commerce and decongest our constipated/polluted city for the safety and well-being of everyone?
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent back to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Comment