THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE ARE three very important reasons for Jamaica not getting a new Parliament building.
We need to embrace the new technologies which eliminate the need for additional meeting rooms. Available technologies can be used to facilitate a meeting of a committee of MPs while each sits in his/her constituency office or at home. This would allow MPs more time in their constituencies instead of driving to and from meetings.
The Government now has a number of under-utilised square footage in buildings over the Corporate Area. There is the need to efficiently use this space before another cent is spent on building more. In addition, moving the Parliament building away from the heart of the city would be contributing to the state of ruin that downtown is fast falling into following the removal to 'up-town' of a number of ministries and state agencies.
The third reason is more emotional. Loyalty and nationalism are usually built up around symbols. (Ask a true Wolmer's or a K.C. old boy to remove his school and he would accuse you of heresy) Gordon House is 'where we started' this fledgling democracy and it should be revered for that. Share the many stories about things which happened in this building to help keep the image alive. This will be more imposing than a large building. Keep the old interior looking pristine and in a couple of years we can attract tourists and students to the oldest parliamentary building in the Caribbean.
I am, etc.,
MARK NELSON
marknelson67@yahoo.com
17 Auburn Ave.
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
