Mark Wignall | Shelly-Ann taught us well

In watching Shelly-Ann Fraser (Pocket Rocket) give freely of her excess of naivety at her first big outing in 2008, she seemingly asks herself, as we gaze at her totality and glimpse back at her journey: What am I doing here? What should happen should I get lucky and win?

Were I an unworthy stand-in, I honestly wouldn’t know what to do. Think of it. The rest of Jamaica is there, including the man who is always flying increasingly closer to the clouds, Usain Bolt. So she can feel safe.

But the end of her glory was much too quick. That Bugs Bunny, Foghorn Leghorn routine went off too quickly. And only she could get away with it.

None of the politicians in Jamaica can give us that.

Years ago, I was on a lonely spot on Spanish Town Road waiting for someone with an important document when the late Roger Clarke slowed down. Roger sometimes liked to travel alone. I really always enjoyed his company. He and I found a little spot. Ten minutes with the late Roger Clarke may be small moments of happiness, but that cannot be planted in the Constitution.

Jamaica’s Constitution does not guarantee happiness. Gathering at the stadium to watch Bolt and Shelly-Ann perform is instant happiness. If the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms can carve out a little bit of happiness, then, if NaRRA can do its work with one floor of space, why was the initial lease for two floors?

We are told that the Government was comfortable with spending $57 million a year for five years, a total of $285 million more than is necessary. Astounding. Why was more thought not given to how much space was really needed? A really bad look. Was it incompetence? Or maybe stupidity? Hard to believe.

Let’s back up a little.

Recently, the Government announced with great fanfare that NaRRA would be leasing offices in the Digicel building in downtown Kingston. The Digicel building is supposed to be hurricane-proof, so to speak. The lease term disclosed by the Government was for five years, with rent of $115 million annually. The space to be leased was to be two floors.

So, for five years, the total lease payments would be $575 million, over half a billion dollars. The announcement was not well received in many quarters of Jamaican society. Soon after, the Government switched gears and announced that the leased premises would be only one floor and the rent would be halved to about $57 million a year.

At various times, Mark Golding and Dr Andrew Holness provide happiness for the people who swear that they are next to God, like Bolt and Shelly-Ann. It can never be easy to walk around like our sports heroes, politicians and entertainers and be expected constantly to provide heroics, gifts and miracles.

THINK AGAIN

What type of leadership is the PM exhibiting that those who work for him and are accountable to him would act in such a manner? Moreover, it came to light that the Cabinet did not have any input into the lease terms and premises chosen. Say what!?

NaRRA has been tasked with a most critical mission: the reconstruction effort after Monster Melissa obliterated western Jamaica. Is that not worthy of Cabinet consideration?

The disingenuous excuse that the Government is now putting out, that it has heard the people and thus the lease will be for only one floor and half the yearly rent, is pathetic. If this is how NaRRA begins, it is in a lot of trouble. The PM must always be in touch with reality. Always.

While he basks in being called Dr Andrew Holness and enjoys the luxury of a PhD and being PM, the Kingdom cannot afford to go to waste. The people of western Jamaica continue to suffer and soon it will be a year since Monster Melissa destroyed western Jamaica, yet they still have no serious help.

LEARN FROM OUR SPORTING HEROES

Our young ladies who are coming up are looking forward to carving out their own paths and making a Shelly-Ann of their lives. One slip here, one slip there, and mostly they have only a small chance to recover from an injury or a mental setback. It is not easy. Coaches, managers and crowds can be too much at times.

The funds to be made, especially on the European circuit, can be substantial if skilfully negotiated. One big consideration is that, if one is the star on a team, there are others who must eat from that plate. It is at that juncture that one has a responsibility not only to carry oneself but, at times, to keep a problematic marriage going. In all, it takes extremely strong Jamaicans.

Not every Asafa can be an automatic Bolt and make a mark by storm. Some will try but will require a second and third attempt. It is there that we must root for them, to make as much as possible.

Whenever we come across them in the supermarket or at a concert, they are being human just like the rest of us. Our politicians put them under that pressure just as they mess up with NaRRA and place themselves under self-imposed excess weight.

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com