Norris R. McDonald | Promises, ‘butucrats’ and ‘chaka chaka’ governance!

“When di roots bruk,

Di tree cyaa stand up!”

— Jamaican Proverb

AS THE general election draws near, Jamaica stands at a crossroads: return to ‘chaka chaka’ governance or demand a radical shift.

Every election season, it’s the same recycled script — slogans, media blitz, and glossy manifestos filled with IMF-backed dreams of economic stability. But poor Jamaicans — teachers, nurses, vendors, small farmers — continue to carry the burden, while multinational companies, political freeloaders, and uptown crooks enjoy tax holidays and government favours.

BROKEN PROMISES AND ECONOMIC BETRAYAL

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), in its 2016 and 2020 manifestos, made sweeping promises: foreign investment, job creation, healthcare improvements, education reform, and better roads and transport. But what do the facts say?

According to the Government’s own June 27, 2025 report filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has fallen again — from US$376.5 million in 2023 to US$164.6 million in 2024.

In short, despite the stringency of the IMF programme, investment has not been flowing as promised. And this dramatic decline has been the trend since 2016. These are not opposition figures — this is the Government reporting the dismal failure of the IMF policies.

Given this economic failure, year after year, the National Housing Trust (NHT) is raided to cover Budget shortfalls — J$11.4 billion this time alone. Prime Minister Holness once said the NHT is “not a piggy bank”.

Why is the NHT being emptied to prop up government finances instead of helping workers? Where are the promised affordable homes for the Jamaican poor people and the middle class?

RECKLESS ECONOMIC POLICY

This is another reckless economic policy. The NHT was designed to empower contributors, not bail out a government chasing debt targets while failing its people. Worse yet, despite all the talk of macroeconomic discipline, the June 2025 SEC filings show Jamaica is again running a fiscal deficit.

So how better off are you? Can your child read well? Can your grandmother access basic healthcare? Is your light bill low and affordable? Can your take-home pay provide daily bread? Do you live in a good, affordable house?

Jamaica has one of the highest school dropout rates in the region — hovering around 20 per cent. Electricity bills are the most expensive in the Caribbean. Basic goods are priced in US dollars, while our own Jamaican dollar is worth less than one American cent.

In this imbroglio, local producers face high, uncompetitive electricity rates, while being undermined by an influx of imports.

So, tell me: what is a “macroeconomically stable” Jamaica when national production and agriculture is destroyed by imports; your brightest professionals have migrated; your youth have given up, and your elderly die waiting in hospital corridors?

CORRUPTION, CRONOYISM, DEATH OF INTEGRITY

Let’s recall that this Government promised transparency and public-sector reform. Instead, we got ‘frenism’ and cover-ups. Scandals have come and gone, with no accountability.

Despite promises to reform procurement processes and improve transparency, contracts are awarded without public tender, top jobs handed out based on ‘frenism’, and blatant violations of governance standards.

Public corruption is rampant. Bribes, embezzlement, and nepotism plague government institutions. The Integrity Commission, instead of being strengthened, is now toothless. Procurement processes are ignored.

Judicial oversight is weak, wherein investigations into misuse of public funds too often end in silence — no charges, no consequences.

How many times must the public be insulted? How long must we take the disrespectful, crass arrogances of some ministers, indeed, the overall attitude of this Government?

‘GRAVALICIOUS POLITICAL BUTUCRATS’

Yes, we got new roads. But we still lack functioning public transport. Healthcare remains broken. Education is in crisis. Crime levels remain high despite recurring states of emergency.

And yet, those in power ‘teck wi meck poppy-show, like wi jus fool-fool!’

What we’ve witnessed from this JLP Government is not leadership, but what I will call the rise in governance of ‘political butucrats’. These are ‘gravalicious’, uncaring individuals without conscience, character, or class.

Professor Rex Nettleford once said, “A butu in a Mercedes Benz is still a butu.”

Yah man! Word! Fi real!

Self-respect and moral discipline ought to be pillars of public service. But instead, while there are truly dedicated public officials, we have some politicians with licky-licky, Anancy mentalities.

These are the political butucrats who love title, crave office, but lack the emotional maturity and spiritual grounding to lead.

Their fortunes — stacked through kickbacks, sweetheart deals, and shady tenders extracted from the sweat of taxpayers, have not bought them dignity.

What do you think?

THE BITTA VERDICT OF HISTORY

My dear friends, if we do not reform this broken system, we will lose yet another generation. Migration, violence, and disillusionment are draining the soul of Jamaica.

Our best teachers, doctors, engineers, and creatives are leaving in droves. They no longer believe in the promise of this island: Jamaica, land we love!

The middle class is under siege. Rural youth are without hope. Small business people are overtaxed and underserved. We are seeing not just an economic downturn, but a spiritual and cultural unravelling.

In a political democracy, choices must be guided by truth, not tribalism or temporary handouts. Jamaica’s future cannot be determined by empty rhetoric or cash-for-vote gimmicks. It must be shaped by honest leadership, public accountability, and national vision.

‘CHAKA CHAKA’ GOVERNMENT

As we approach the next general election, we are forced to confront a toxic legacy of policy failure, economic betrayal, institutional decay, and social abandonment. Let us be clear: this is not stability. This is not good governance.

This is chaka chaka Government.

Marcus Garvey once warned, “Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of a suffering people.” He was right.

We cannot leave this election to chance. Not this time.

Let us therefore honour the hopes of our ancestors and the dreams of our youth. Let us demand better from our leaders. And let us, for once, vote not for personality or party. Let our political choices be based on principle, truth and purposeful vision of true economic independence, human rights, justice and national dignity!

That is the bitta truth!

Norris R. McDonald is an author, economic journalist, political analyst, and respiratory therapist. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com or miaminorris@yahoo.com.