Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
Five of the 23 wind turbines that grace the Wigton Windfarm in Wigton, Manchester which was officially opened on July 29, 2004. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
The curtains are closing on the fourth term of the People's National Party (PNP) government and there are still many campaign promises that it made to the people that have not been fulfilled. These include a number of macroeconomic and social policies that have either resulted in reversed or slowed growth of the economy. There are some that are yet to be implemented, so the results can be weighed. Here are some of those promises made in its 2002 manifesto.
Promises
Economic Transformation
Macroeconomic growth targets
GDP growth of two four per cent in the medium term and six per cent thereafter.
Reduce unemployment by 10 per cent
Reduce poverty by 25 per cent
Maintaining low inflation at close to 5 per cent in line with levels existing in the economies of our major trading partners in order to preserve income and wealth
Reduction of debt to GDP ratio 100 per cent by 2006 and then 90 per cent as part of the strategy to manage the national debt and reduce debt servicing costs.
A 25 per cent improvement in international competitiveness.
Deliveries
Real Gross Domestic Product has had only an average growth of 1.2 per cent annually and a 4-year growth of only 4.2 per cent according to data provided by the Economic and Social Survey.
Unemployment has been reduced by only 3.7 per cent in the last four years from 15.1 per cent in 2002 to 11.3 per cent. Unemployment is still greatest among young people with a rate of 25.7 per cent.
Poverty has also declined minimally. It has gone down by 4.9 per cent a distant mark from the 25 per cent reduction promised by the end of the fourth term. The jointly prepared PIOJ and STATIN report: Survey of Living Conditions shows the incidence of poverty was still greatest in rural areas where agriculture is the means of survival for many.
Inflation trend has reversed drastically. It increased from seven per cent in 2002 to 15.3 per cent in 2005. It dropped for the first time to 14.7 per cent in April of this year, the PIOJ says in its monthly report and down to 13 per cent in June.
Government has only been able to reduce the debt to GDP ratio by a mere 15 per cent since 2002 where it stood at 150 per cent. Debt to GDP ratio currently stands at 135 per cent.
Jamaica's growth competitive-ness index declined significantly last year. The country moved down five places from 65th to 70th while it earned a ranking of 53 in its business competitiveness index according to the World Economic Forum, which produces the global competitiveness report, the most authoritative report on economic competitiveness.
Promises
Law and Order
Channel significant resources into the modernisation of our law enforcement infrastructure, as well as strengthen the legislative framework to stamp out every violation of the law. To give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty for heinous murder, the necessary constitutional amend-ments will be introduced.
Delivery
Since last year the Government has been upgrading the office of the Director of Public Prosecu-tions and Court of Appeal with computerised technology and newly-trained staff. A comprehen-sive review of the justice system is also slated to take place by a contracted Canadian firm later this month. However, the necessary constitutional amendments to give effect to the enforcement of the death penalty have not been introduced due what the Opposition, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) describes, as a lack of political will on the side of the PNP. The party has long been having discussions with the opposition party to have the law introduced, but the JLP has not agreed to the move. The latest move to give effect to the law has been through the charter of rights bill, which will replace section of the constitution. A report submitted by the Joint Select Committee considering the legislation was tabled in then house last month but a date has not been set for the debate.
Promises
Energy Sector
Implement a National Energy Diversification Strategy
Achieve a minimum of 50 per cent switch from oil to clean fuel by 2006
Install a natural gas pipeline along Highway 2000
Provide access to natural gas as household fuel for the Millennium town in Clarendon.
Develop appropriate use of renewable energy sources.
Complete a 20 megawatt wind farm at Newport, Manchester
Create an enabling environment for the establishment of an industrial complex
Increase the contribution of indigenous energy sources to 12 per cent of Jamaica's energy mix
Complete Rural Electrification Programme.
Delivery
The National Energy Diversification Strategy was launched in 2003. The strategy is based on the import of natural gas in the form of LNG, to reduce dependence on the imported petroleum.
Jamaica is yet to see a switch of any kind from oil to clean burning fuels. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Trinidad for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supply fuel for electricity generation and Alumina refining was signed in 2004. That MoU is still awaiting the set up of a terminal and storage facility.
No pipelines have been installed along Highway 2000.
Meanwhile plans for the Millennium Town in Clarendon has been at a stalemate since last year.
The Wigton 20 megawatt wind farm was established in Newport Manchester about two years ago. The PCJ has been in talks with two foreign companies to establish a solar water heater factory on the farm also. This should double the capacity of energy to 40 megawatts. The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica has also been busy sourcing other forms of renewable energy. It is seeking to start a hydropower project 1.5 megawatts and a further large-scale project on the Rio Cobre could generate 49.5 megawatts.
The Rural Electrification Programme has been difficult to complete due to the rise in new communities. Over the last 30 years the programme has provided over 70,000 homes with electricity.
Review of PNP manifesto to continue, followed by review
of JLP's.
