THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE ALLOW me to share with your readers an important lesson that I have learnt as president of the Bagatelle and Environs Citizens' Association for the past 13 years. Our political system is a farce.
Our Members of Parliament only use people to satisfy their political ambitions. This is harsh. Yes it is! What does being a minister of Government have to do with representing constituencies? Money is allocated to ministries. What of the needs of constituencies? A paltry sum is given as an afterthought so that Members of Parliament can continue to keep up the charade.
POLITICALLY IMPOTENT
The road from Osbourne Store to Ashley speaks volumes about this issue. This road is a part of North Central and South West constituencies in Clarendon. Therefore, we have two Members of Parliament and two councillors. Our Members of Parliament and councillors are politically impotent. Although Mr. Charles has a perfect record of attending meetings at Gordon House, and is as vocal as anyone can reasonably expect, he cannot get this road rehabilitated. Charles Learmond and Joel Williams have graced us with their presence. They have made efforts to get the work done and it is taking an interminably long time.
Sections of the road at Bagatelle would have disappeared had it not been for young men like Gregory Alves and others, including the 13 boys who filled the craters with whatever material they could find.
I have written letters to the authorities, letters to the editors of all our newspapers, letters and/or telephone calls to the Clarendon Parish Council, the National Works Agency, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Local Government. I have also spoken about the deplorable condition of this road, on most of the radio stations in Jamaica. All that has happened is intermittent work at a section of the road at Rock. The condition of this road is a clear indication that our political system is designed for purposes other than representation of constituents. Power-seeking and profiling is the name of the game.
We need a system of government that enables our political representatives to represent their constituencies rather than satisfy their ambitions to be ministers of government and Prime Minister, and putting political party above people.
I am, etc.,
WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN
Bagatelle District
Ashley P.A.
Clarendon
winab@cwjamaica.com
