Develop rural towns to stem urban migration
Published:Wednesday | May 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Daraine Luton, Gleaner Writer
AN OPPOSITION backbencher has called for a comprehensive approach to rural development.
Luther Buchanan, member of parliament (MP) for Eastern Westmoreland, said during the Sectoral Debate last Wednesday that revisiting rural development was one of the best ways to position the country for growth.
"It seems, as we move deeper into the 21st century, that there is a need now to enter upon a more focused rural development programme than ever before," Buchanan said.
According to Buchanan, who replaced P.J. Patterson as MP in 2006, the role of the Urban Development Corporation must be expanded.
"The Urban Development Corporation, in its role as a developer in the national interest, should now be embracing the development of rural townships, facilitating the placement of important business offices in these townships," Buchanan said.
He added: "I believe this would further serve to remove urban drift and brain drain, removing negative rural stigmatism while promoting nationalism."
Solution to squatting issue
Buchanan told fellow legislators that a deliberate attempt to develop rural parishes was critical to stemming squatting, which has been identified by the police as a major deterrent to crime fighting.
"When urban centres are close to our rural communities where there are lands that are owned by the Government, there is need for amalgamation to establish housing solutions, or the problems of squatting can never be controlled," Buchanan said.
He also warned against a government proposal to colour-code motor-vehicle licence plates.
"That was what existed in the past and had to be changed because rural people were being targeted by criminals in rural areas and rental cars were forced to change from RR plates," Buchanan said.
He noted that with criminality rampant in the country, the Government may unwittingly be playing into the hands of criminals.