THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOME TIME ago, I suggested that as Members of Parliament, ministers of government may be doing the jobs of two people, it's either that or MPs really don't have that much to do. Ms. Heather Robinson has questioned whether being a minister prevents or excuses one from being 'My MP'. It's a very good question that begs to be answered. It further brings into question the role of 'My MP'.
If the MP is more in tune with the constituents and more sensitive to their needs than Central Government, as has been suggested in justification of the SESP fund, what is the purpose then of Local Government? What are Parish Councils and the Ministry of Local Government supposed to be doing when MPs are purportedly facilitating community development with these monies?
The structure of government in Jamaica has to be closely examined. The roles and responsibilities of those elected should be well defined. Now the constitution clearly states that the role of Parliament is to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Jamaica, I don't believe there's any mention of them being responsible for the distribution of funds. The Cabinet is the principal instrument of policy and is supposed to be collectively responsible to Parliament. This is somewhat of a paradox since Cabinet is formed from parliamentarians whose party has the majority in Parliament. For all practical purposes, they are essentially responsible to themselves.
In examining the role of the MP, it is necessary to take into account the responsibility of Parish Councils and their role in governance. The maintenance of local services and infrastructure would fall under the ambit and Local Government with clear demarcations between the responsibility of Local and Central Government's being defined. Rather than being financed through the Consolidated Fund, Parish Councils would be entitled to a percentage of the revenue collected in the parish that currently goes into the Consolidated Fund. Where necessary subsidies would be derived from central government revenues. Empowerment of Local Government cannot occur without an autonomous revenue stream to provide services on the local level.
The ministries and agencies would serve as a bridge between Local and Central Government to facilitate the homogenisation of the national infrastructure down to the local level. They would ensure that government policy is uniformly implemented and be instrumental in infrastructure development throughout the parishes in co-ordination with Local Government entities.
Let the MPs concentrate on what the constitution indicates they are supposed to be doing.
I am etc.,
ADLAI BROWNE
adlaib@yahoo.com
Cary, NC
Via Go-Jamaica
