Letter of the Day | Let us be the change

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The prime minister’s call for the National Census echoes the passion, too, for consensus. In order to move forward, there must be careful and detailed planning.

This is particularly painfully evident in the transport, housing and education sectors. However, despite the critiques, public transportation is the only means for fragile members of society. A house is still needed to mitigate against environmental harness and activate savings in the area of food preparation. A good night’s sleep repairs many woes.

There cannot be resistance to these scientific methods if we are to be able to have major improvements in the allocation of resources to the needs of the populace. The Planning Institute of Jamaica, Statistical Institute, and private sector marketing gurus must be able to more than palpate the pulse of the people. They need to keep the patient alive, happy, thriving and very productive. As Bob Marley cites, “a hungry man is an angry man”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely skewed our readiness to cope with relative obsolescence of equipment and capital. Underutilisation was a disguise to their dysfunction.

Nonetheless, we have to shake off the dust and keep fighting to live. Getting back into a rhythm and “pumping” up an economy is not an easy feat.

TEN SUGGESTIONS

Here are ten suggested measures that need to be implemented:

1. Private Transportation. Facilitate the issue of more PPV licensing with training regimes so more vehicles can be used as transportation. Thus, those with cars could transport passengers and even break even on their gas.

2. Public Transportation. Provide transportation for clients to do one-day Jamaica vacation visits. This will infuse economic growth across the country. The JUTC will get funding through this means to repair buses for normal commuters in the week.

3. Housing. Mortgage companies need to assist clients with schemes to do expansions that will improve value and economic functionality; home offices and rental income should receive interest reduced rates.

4. Financing. Bank loans for cars should feature support for maintenance and insurance.

5. Education. The country has mastered the music culture. Playing a musical instrument should be mandatory in our schools, from pre-kindergarten to postgraduate. This, coupled with performing arts, exhibition, and basic legal training, will create a robust Jamaican indomitable, self-assured and independently employable.

6. Youth Skill. All students should graduate with a driver’s licence as part of their high school record. This is a way to motivate our young people and it is an internationally transferable skill. There will be many who can manoeuvre farm trucks, heavy-duty equipment, etc. Most will be happy to drive a car and own a taxi. Just give them a start!

7. Food and Nutrition/Housing for the Homeless. Provide a means by which food in our markets is not wasted by having a central area where meals can be prepared publicly and distributed to the homeless and needy. There should also be the provision of basic bath and bed for these persons along with clean clothing.

8. After-school Care/Elderly Care in Churches. Churches should be spaces for after-school care for the young as well as having day-care programmes for the elderly.

9. Media. Newspapers should have a Solutions Day page for any pressing concerns in our country. While TV and radio can showcase live examples of how persons have overcome those challenges.

10. Criminal confessionals and acts of repentance. We need to encourage criminals to desist from crime and be part of the solution in saving lives.

CATHERINE NEIL