THE EDITOR, Sir:
UNFOLDING EVENTS in the People's National Party presidential race continues to spawn interest in many of us. Several national and internal party polls have indicated that Portia Simpson Miller is the front-runner. This I believe is largely in part due to her endearing and charismatic personality. Regrettably, many Jamaicans disregard the importance of factoring in past performances, administrative competence, reform proposals, commitment to principles of good governance and savoir faire in determining who is best fit to lead them.
Sadly, though, a fleeting look at Portia Simpson Miller's track record in her current ministerial portfolio, as Minister of Local Government, is just as run of the mill as those of her rivals.
Take, for instance, the forlorn state of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, an essential service that is one of her foremost portfolio responsibilities. Lives and property are being lost on a frequent basis due largely to a grossly under-resourced and ineffective service.
Her handling of the NSWMA affair is another illustration of her ham-handed management capabilities. Formidable allegations of considerable fraud, corruption and cronyism to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars have crippled this state agency to which she is directly liable.
The lack of support given to parish councils is yet another illustration of her poor leadership and administrative capabilities.
Jamaica is in desperate need of reform-minded leadership, one in which good governance and constitutional reform are paramount. Anything else is just not good enough.
Let us not allow ourselves to get carried away by hype, sensationalism and twaddle.
I am, etc.,
DELANO SEIVERIGHT
delanoseiveright@yahoo.com
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
