The Editor, Sir:

Our nation, like many others in the modern world, is experiencing a crisis - a leadership, economic and social crisis. The worst and most serious is the crisis in leadership as it affects all other areas of national development. Everything in a home, organisation, community or nation rests on the quality of leadership.

Recalling the events of last week that occurred in the garrison communities of Mountain View and South Central St. Andrew, it is evident from the response of the various leaders that there is a serious leadership crisis within our nation.

The nation must face the reality that the present group of political leaders on both sides of the political divide, by themselves, cannot bring the nation out of its current dilemma and move this country forward along a path of serious growth and development. These are the same leaders of the last 30-40 years. They have given the best of what they have. If they could bring about meaningful change they would have already done so. Since they haven't, we can safely conclude that they can't. The nation needs fresh leaders to step in and to help facilitate the process that is needed in our nation at this time. Without it our nation will continue to circle the same mountain, while the rest of the region and world advance successfully in terms of their growth and development.

This next five to seven years will be most vital to our national development. Without strong visionary, decisive and creative leadership that has integrity, our nation will suffer immensely and will not grasp the opportunities necessary to secure a future for this and successive generations.

Are there no such leaders as previously described in our nation? I believe that there are such leaders, but are they too self-centered or fearful to stand up and be counted or is it that they see their future elsewhere if the crisis worsens, and so, they are not concerned about the crisis in the nation? Or are they too strongly aligned to partisan politics to see the bigger picture? Are there persons (leaders) who love enough, care enough and are brave enough, who will answer the call and serve the nation now in its hour of need?

Best way forward

I renew the call for a Government of national unity for a period of five years, as this is the best way forward given our current national crisis. Our country needs leaders now who can rise above partisan politics; leaders who are committed to an agenda of national restoration; who are not career politicians, but love this country and want to get a job done for the good of all. Persons with a passion to unite the nation for peace and prosperity. It can and must be done. It can be done if you play your part. Let's get the dialogue started to unite and rebuild our nation.

I am challenged. Are you? If you are, then let us come together and fight for the future of our nation and for the future of our children. If not now, when? A fi wi country, mek wi build it! Jamaica needs you now.

I am, etc.,

AL MILLER

almiller@feltab.org

58 Half-Way Tree Toad

Kingston 10