THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN 1948, I read the following sentence from a hard cover, general knowledge book: "The roads of France and Jamaica are the best roads in the world." It has gradually become clear to me why the statement could have been true at that time and why it is not true today.
Our roads have deteriorated over the years, mainly because their maintenance has moved from professionals to political hirelings.
In those days, public roads were the responsibility of the Public Works Department (PWD) for the main roads and the Parochial Boards (Parish Councils) for the parochial roads. The PWD divided Jamaica into areas and each area was administered by a superintendent. For example, the Christiana area was administered by Superintendent Crawford. Similarly there was a superintendent in each parish for the parochial roads. The PWD superintendent had a budget which allowed him a small amount of money for maintenance of each of the roads under his purview. The Parochial Board superintendent was similarly provided - the roads were numbered and to each was attached a budgeted small amount.
The ability of a superintendent to keep his job and to be promoted depended on his maintaining the roads, bridges etc. in his charge...within budget. Superintendents used their permanent staff as well as seasonal casual workers to carry out the various tasks. They could not afford to keep slackers employed, nor take on casual workers who had not proven their reliability over the years. Otherwise the superintendent's job would be in jeopardy.
GENETICALLY-CONNECTED
Maintenance is now carried out on a crisis basis and contracts to the genetically-connected follow each crisis.
Though brought to a fine art by the current administration, we will not free ourselves of tribalism by a change of Government. Labourites will have been waiting for 18 years and will certainly step up to the trough. We must demand a change in the system.
When will we see that the deterioration of the Government services is due to this shift from professionalism to tribalism and the corruption that goes with it?
Some of your will say "oh he's just being nostalgic for the yellow PWD Federal truck with box-shaped cab, vertical steering column with the steering wheel sitting flat on top of it...or maybe the ride Superintendent Crawford gave him in his buggy when he was five years old."
No such thing! I am nostalgic for professionalism and good maintenance and 'best-roads-in-the-world' status.
I am, etc.,
M. H. ELLIOTT
Gordon Town
St. Andrew
