The Editor, Sir:

I write in reference to the misguided and myopic development of Jamaica via government initiatives. A prime example which shows the lack of planning and use of sound decision-making models by the Government is the position regarding the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Government prefers to source and pump billions of dollars into the Cricket World Cup preparations including, among other things, the US$20 million refurbishment of Sabina Park and the US$30 million construction of the Trelawny Multi-purpose Sports Complex. These expenditures appear to be completely unreasonable, as there seems to be no delineated rationale that stands up to scrutiny supporting the notion that there will be a realisation of a return on the investment.

Moreover, the zero-sum nature of spending this money means that the funds allocated to fleeting cricket matches are not available for other competing interests, which actually lead to development, such as education to positively shape the thoughts, attitudes, perceptions and conduct of the nation.

Tax credits and incentives

It is suggested that US$50+ million could have been better spent in the form of tax credits and incentives to small and medium-size businesses or lower duties on all imports which would jump-start the economy. However, ultimately, the best use of the money is investment in education. Investment in education should replace cricket as the priority for nation-building in Jamaica.

Antonn Brown,

brown.ant@gmail.com,

Mandeville, Manchester