CDF Unit head gives warning

The warning from head of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Unit, Moveta Munroe, that care must be taken to ensure the CDF does not become a pool of welfare funds is one that should be heeded by all members of parliament (MP).

Following the decision by the CDF committee last week to raise the ceiling for spending on welfare projects from five per cent to 16 per cent, there is now a clear and present danger that most constituencies will have very little to show from this discretion pool that MPs have been given.

It is the worst kept secret that many Jamaicans are not in favour of politicians having control over money. In fact, the CDF, much to the chagrin of MPs, has been described in some quarters as pork. Now, considering that only $15 million is available to an MP per year to spend in his or her constituency, it appears reckless on the part of legislators to ignore the concept behind the CDF by moving to put $5 million into welfare and social housing.

Pool of funds

If an MP chooses to spend the maximum on those two programmes, only $10 million will be available to do infrastructure works, education programmes, sports development and take care of other needs in the constituency. I have grown to accept that MPs should not be lame ducks and, therefore, should have access to a pool of funds to assist the transformation of the areas they represent. However, notwithstanding the need for welfare assistance across the island, it is hard to accept any decision to direct such a huge chunk of the CDF to areas like paying for funerals, buying a few sheets of zinc or mattresses and other welfare activities - this is in addition to spending up to $7.5 million on education, which for many MPs translates to handing out back-to-school vouchers across their constituencies.

For clarity, there is nothing wrong with soft programmes. I have nothing against spending on welfare. What I have a problem with is directing scarce resources into these areas at the expense of effecting repairs to a road left unattended for decades, upgrading a minor water supply or building additional classrooms to assist the learning process, or putting in place an economic project like beekeeping to benefit members of a community.

The People's input

While I accept that the projects undertaken in constituencies are agreed following consultation with residents, it is often the case that the full input of the people is never received and the eventual projects are a reflection of the desires of the MP and his or her political team.

I would have been prepared to endorse the call for an increase in the CDF - not to $50 million as South East St Mary representative Dr Winston Green has suggested - but at least $25 million if the fund were being put to better use.

On another matter, The Gavel notes the caution from North Central Clarendon MP Pearnel Charles, that the Government risks seeing the people take to the streets if it does not ease up with the pressure being created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Charles is right! Jamaicans are hurting, things are hard and there is little reassuring word from the Government that better is coming. The Government, and the Parliament in particular, missed a golden opportunity to use the ongoing Sectoral Debate to provide Jamaicans with an honest discussion on the state of our affairs. What we have been treated to is the usual incoherent, unstructured talk shop where MPs get a high off hearing their own voices.

IMF review

While Jamaica has passed a fourth quarterly review, it is clear that the country is by no means out of the woods in putting its house back in order. The IMF has said Jamaica's programme implementation under the Extended Fund Facility has been commendable. The achievement of a primary surplus in a short time is impressive. Essential social spending has been safeguarded and steps are being taken to strengthen the social safety net.

A gradual economic recovery appears to be under way. Growth is estimated at 0.9 per cent in financial year 2013-14, unemployment remains high, but fell from 16 per cent to 13.5 per cent from April 2013 to January 2014, but at a slower pace than which the dollar has devalued.

Undoubtedly, strides have been made but too many Jamaicans remain poor and in a sense of hopelessness; too many are unemployed and hungry. Cursing the IMF for its prescription is not going to get us very far. The IMF did not come knocking at Jamaica's door; we were at death's door and went knocking.

The alternative would have been much worse had we not gone. But now that we are out of the theatre, let us stop complaining about the implements placed on the operating table. Now that we are in the recovery room, we need to focus on ensuring we never face such a near-death experience again. We need to ensure that we pick up the pace with public-sector reform, tax reform, improve governance, acquiring cheaper energy quickly and get the production train going. That is the only way we can immunise ourselves against the malady of low and no growth that caused us the indignity of having to again subject ourselves to the IMF.

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