By Deon P. Green, Gleaner WriterLONDON, England:
FINANCE MINISTER, Dr. Omar Davies, has called on Jamaicans in England to look for an investor to revive the island's railway service.
He made the call while speaking in London, England, last Friday at the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) forum held under the theme 'Outlook For The Future' at Kensington Town Hall.
"We have been in long talks with various persons about divestment. When I boarded the train to Manchester (England) today, it was really nice but one thing is that we need to find an investor and so if there is anyone here, come and talk to me right now, but we have been trying desperately to revive the railways," he told the audience.
SEVERAL INITIATIVES
There have been several initiatives aimed at restarting a railway system in Jamaica but without success. In 1999 a serious attempt was made when Jamaica's government and the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture. The agreement then was for the Government of India to own 30 per cent of the entity, the Jamaican Government 40 per cent, and the remaining 30 per cent would be owned by Jamaican companies.
The first phase should have seen the establishment of commuter services between Kingston and Spanish Town and then a Kingston to Linstead route. It was expected then to be up and running by January 2001. It was said then that some $8 million was projected for the venture of which an initial 40 per cent shareholding was to be used for improving infrastructure, loading stock and the purchase of new trains. Having run for over 150 years, the railway ceased operation in 1992 except for lines on which bauxite is drawn.
WIDE-RANGING ISSUES
At the forum, a number of other wide-ranging issues were discussed including the health services. It was pointed out that doctors in the service were properly taken care of by the government and that there was no shortage of such personnel at this time.
However, Dr. Davies noted that the same could not be said about nurses, saying the issue surrounding their salaries will have to be addressed. The problem with crime and violence was also addressed, with the Minister stressing the need for international cooperation.
Among those in attendance were chairman of the Gleaner Company and JNBS Oliver Clarke, Sharon Saunders, Jamaican deputy high commissioner in London, British MP Dianne Abbott, Ambassador Derrick Heaven, managing director of Radio Jamaica, Lester Spaulding, and general manager of JNBS, Earl Jarrett.
