Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
SEVERAL MPs, especially those presiding over so-called garrisons, have never been to some communities in their constituencies because of tribal political divisions, says head of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI), Bishop Herro Blair.
"To my surprise I've been in communities where the MP, for five years, has never set foot in those communities. And I mean on either side, whether People's National Party or Jamaica Labour Party," Bishop Blair told The Gleaner's Editors' Forum last week.
The Bishop, who doubles as Political Ombudsman, said the situation was "very sad". He pointed out that many of these politicians have not ventured into areas that do not support them because of fear. According to the Bishop, until this fear is addressed, the problems that hamper the development of inner-city areas will never be dealt with.
He added that the situation should be highlighted because there are many politicians who do not know what's going on in their constituencies.
A history of political divisions, which intensified in the 1970s and 1980s, has left some areas fiercely loyal to either of the two major political parties. Over the years, this has led to repeated complaints from people in some of these areas, that they have been neglected because they do not support the sitting MP.
In January, Bishop Blair was appointed head of the PMI, a broad-based group, which intervenes in troubled communities to head off conflict. According to him, the group has so far delivered on its mandate and is reaping success.
"The PMI has created a great impact. We have been able to go into communities where political leaders have not been able to go," he said.
The group's most recent assignment was in the Central Kingston constituency, where gang violence reared its head last week. At least two people were cut down and 14 others injured in three separate drive-by shootings. On Monday the PMI went into the area, where it met political leaders and community groups in an effort to ease tensions. Since January the group has visited many other volatile communities in the Corporate Area where it has helped to broker peace between warring groups.
