IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. Peter Phillips and a supporter in a salute at the launch of his campaign for leadership of the People's National Party on January 15, 2006.
The following are excerpts from a speech by Dr. Peter Phillips, candidate for president of the People's National Party (PNP) at the National Arena on January 15, 2006.
THIS IS a defining moment in the history of the People's National Party (PNP).
All (segments) of the Jamaican society are here to witness the launch of a presidential campaign that is committed to leading a new generation for the building of a new Jamaica.
It was at the East Central St. Andrew Community Projects Competition Awards Ceremony in January 2005 that I expressed my intention to offer myself as a candidate for the presidency of the People's National Party soon as the vacancy was declared.
Since then, comrade Patterson has announced a timetable for the succession and I have been travelling the length and breadth of Jamaica reasoning with the comrades and supporters of the party. And the response could not be better.
In a matter of weeks, all of us in the PNP will take a fundamental decision as to the future of our party and the future of our country. Judging from the numbers assembled here today, along with your enthusiasm, I think it is safe to say that the overwhelming majority of delegates of the People's National Party have already decided how they will vote.
LEADERSHIP OF THE PNP
I grew up in a home that was passionately involved in the early national movement led by Norman Washington Manley and the PNP. My father of blessed memory used the opportunities available to him and served at all levels of the education process from a teacher in the primary school system to a professor at The University of the West Indies. As a young man, this 'dread' walked the walk of social concern and for social justice. I identified with the struggles of the oppressed for equality and a better life. I answered the call of Michael Manley, and for the last three decades, I have been involved at every level of the People's National Party.
And so, when comrade P.J. Patterson announced his decision to retire, and at the urging of my colleagues in the Cabinet and Parliamentary Group, the delegates and members of the Party and Jamaicans from every walk of life, I decided to offer myself as a candidate. This decision was made in all humility but at the same time, with the confidence that I could play a leading role in the regeneration of my party to once again lead the national movement, for the social and economic transformation of Jamaica.
The party has taught me what service is. I believe I have an obligation to the people of Jamaica and to the PNP to offer myself for service as a candidate for the presidency of the PNP.
WEALTH AND JOB CREATION
It is the challenge and mission of this generation to end absolute poverty. How? Partnership between Government and private sector.
Reduce transaction costs. Cut red tape. Reduce interest rates. Micro, small and medium-business expansion and growth. There must be fiscal prudence but we must go for growth.
Modernising the Jamaican economy to achieve economic growth and to provide jobs for the 50,000 young people who come unto the market each year is a major challenge. One indicator of the enormity of this challenge is that for over four decades, the economy has grown only marginally.
Substantial economic growth will be achieved by the expansion of the economic activity in three major areas.
The first is tourism, where our primary goal of a 5.5 per cent annual growth rate of visitor arrivals has been made achievable by the extensive modernisation of the tourism infrastructure and the existence of a tourism master plan to guide the industry's development over the next decade.
Greater linkages between agriculture and tourism; Farmers to be able to produce for the tourism sector; Farmers must be nurtured.
The tourism-related infrastructure includes:
North coast Highway will soon be completed, as will the final leg of Highway 2000.
The expansion of our major airports.
The completion of over 9,000 new rooms by 2010.
10 per cent growth per annum in cruise ship passenger arrivals to bring another 2.2 million visitors by 2010.
Simultaneously, to expand the diversity of the tourism product and increase visitor expenditure by 8.4 per cent per annum, the Government will make the range of our heritage assets available to investors for development as attractions. This project will be developed through a coordinated effort involving the following agencies: JAMPRO, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the Tourism Product Development Company, the Port Authority and the Tourism Enhancement Fund.
The fact is that the Jamaican popular culture has a unique and commanding presence on the world stage. This sets the stage for a major expansion of our cultural industries within the context of an increased visitor arrival. The world is interested in the culture of Jamaica. We need to develop a reggae academy. Government is to be catalyst for this.
Let me express a concern, however, that while the plans for expansion of tourism on the north coast from Portland to Westmoreland are in good shape, there is a clear need for us to invest in the resuscitation of tourism in the capital city.
PORT ROYAL DEVELOPMENT
This begins with the development of Port Royal as a major stop for cruise ships.
Critical to the goal of creating jobs and achieving economic growth is the expansion of entrepreneurship based on the natural capacity of the Jamaican people for enterprise. This means creating opportunities for enterprising individuals and communities to establish businesses of a sufficient scale and efficiency connected to growth areas of the economy.
Success here requires the state to guarantee far more customer-friendly and effective institutions than obtains at present, in order for business persons to access promptly and courteously the services they need for the successful conduct of their businesses. Simultaneously, our more successful entrepreneurs must be persuaded not only to contribute advice, but to help identify opportunities for new players. It is out of this synergy between big and small businesses that we are going to create the additional jobs we so badly need.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
I now turn to rural development which begins with a modern agricultural sector. In today's globalised economy, there is no longer any special, concession for our agricultural exports and as a result, sugar and bananas face a doubtful future as export crops. However, an agricultural sector is vital to Jamaica's development, for employment, for nutrition and for the traditional values of discipline, resourcefulness and resilience which have historically characterised the farming community.
As a result of the decline in agriculture, between 1975 and 1985, nearly 200,000 persons migrated from rural Jamaica to hustle in the capital city and in the dominant economic centres of tourism and commerce across the island. A vibrant agricultural sector is the centre piece of rural stability. However, this agricultural sector must be modern and efficient, utilising the fruits of technology and focusing on the niche markets abroad as well as providing for the tourism and hospitality trade.
However, rural development is more than agriculture. The expansion of the information technology sector must also bring investments to rural communities.
