D.K. DuncanMANY JAMAICANS seem resigned to a continuing state of powerlessness. Five months have elapsed since the 14-year-old administration was re-elected to continue to govern. A popular rock steady tune of the 1960s "Sounds and Pressure" appropriately describes the kind of governance displayed so far.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
Following an extended "Love In" at the Vale Royal Summits, the two Parliamentary Parties have become estranged. With the Opposition opting to oppose, oppose and oppose, a number of issues seem to have become victims of this disenchantment. Among the matters outstanding is the decade-old issue of Constitutional Reform. The joint committee set up by the Peoples National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has not reported publicly on the status of the Constitutional Reform project.
Instead, we have had discussions on a new prayer for the Parliament as well as a proposal for a new Oath of Allegiance for the Leader of the Opposition. In addition, the voices of civil society that usually call for fundamental reforms to our political system appear to have gone still, or at best muted.
CRIME AND VIOLENCE
Arising from the post-election violence, certain anti-crime measures were put in place. Some of these have been partially successful. However, two national committees were set up. One committee was to monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the National Committee on Crime and Violence. The other was to monitor the actions of the Defence Force in the course of related anti-crime activities. The public has heard nothing from these committees. Have they been meeting? What were their terms of reference? Both committees included many representatives of civil society. Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency?
THE ECONOMY
The state of the economy continues to perplex the nation. The Minister of Finance asserts that there is no crisis. Most public discussions, however, revolve around the notion of crisis. Events in Parliament reflect the public discussions. In December, the Finance Minister revealed that the debt management was going in the wrong direction while the actual budget deficit was way out of line with original projections. The Opposition called for and got a debate on the economy in January. By Feb-ruary, the Finance Minister was the subject of a censure motion after he tried to explain how the PNP won the October 16, 2002 elections. The Government went into retreat on the budget then retreated again with the Private Sector in early March. A belated announcement to retreat with the Trade Unions soon followed. Committees have been set up. Tourism has been identified for the umpteenth time as the lead sector in the economy. Casino gambling has gone to committee.
MORE COMMITTEES
Public outcry over the increase in salaries to parliamentarians led once again to another committee. This time, Mr. Oliver Clarke, while examining three other previous reports, is to meet with his committee and the public to discuss this issue. The public is still unaware of detailed terms of reference or a time table. The question on consultants et al posed by the Opposition Spokesman on Finance has also activated another committee to be led by the Cabinet Secretary. The public has been given no deadline for this task to be completed. This political technology is in keeping with that applied in the "Fat Cats Scandal" and refined with the use of the Rattray Enquiry into the Angus Enquiry.
A joint select Parliamentary Committee has also been set up to resolve the issue of municipalities more specifically the Portmore Municipality.
The deliberation of this committee will no doubt lead to the postponing of announcement of the date for the Local Government Elections. Not that many people are interested. However, all of these actions lead to the consolidation of the process of "Marking Time".
ACCOMPLISHMENT
What essentially has been accomplished since October 16, 2002? MPs and Ministers have pocketed significant back pay and increased salaries. Re-appointment, and new appointments of consultants, advisors, special assistants and personal assistants continue. The general public has seen the introduction of larger traffic fines and related user fees, with more of the same to come in April.
In the face of what is to come, the sense of powerlessness pervades. The events of the last five months since the re-election of the "Old Administration" sounds like "a tale told by a fool full of sound and fury signifying nothing".
A dental surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former General Secretary and Minister of Government in the PNP administration of the 1970s. E-mail: dktruth@hotmail.com.
