Clarke THE JAMAICA Manufacturers Association (JMA) has endorsed the call made by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga for a summit between himself and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson towards establishing stable bipartisan relations between the two major political parties.
JMA president Clarence Clarke called for an alliance of societal interests to tackle the problem of crime, as well as for those with the portfolio responsibilities to be made answerable for their performance.
"Individuals must be held accountable if targets for crime are not achieved," he said yesterday in remarks to the JMA monthly board meeting.
Speaking against the background of the more than 800 killed since the start of the year, Mr. Clarke pointed to the summit requested by Jamaica Labour Party leader, Mr. Seaga, as timely and a window of opportunity for civil society, the Opposition and Government to collaborate on the solutions.
He urged his own colleagues to contribute to the alliance by "being vigilant to ensure that whatever programmes are implemented are done in a timely manner."
"We have woken up daily to more bad news of deaths, reprisals, and mayhem," said the JMA president, who referred to the crime problem and its 'attendant ills' of drugs and guns, the number one threat to economic stability.
"This problem, though complex, must be attacked with a course of action that encompasses strong leadership, involvement and commitment."
Noting that community involvement was a critical factor in 'decriminalising' the society, Clarke also said the strategy selected must include a look at inner city renewal and should build on the work already started by the Kingston Restoration Company and the Jamaica Chamber's inner city renewal programme.
"Our companies suffer when we lose workers to the guns, when communities are at war and when our workers are gripped with fear and cannot report to work and when young talented minds are recruited by drug dons," said the manufacturer. "When communities are hurting, our society will also hurt."
To the new Government, Clarke's advice was to develop and implement "new and decisive" policies and start creating jobs to give hope to the young people. He also reiterated appeals for Jamaica to seek international assistance to bolster its efforts to disarm communities, stop the flow of guns into the island, put a halt to narco-trafficking and deal with the deportees.
