Delroy Chuck

For Jamaicans, the year 2007 can be the beginning of a better life, and the end of the many problems, difficulties and challenges everywhere.

To be sure, 2006 was just more of the same, sad stories of corruption, scandals, and of our country heading in the same, wrong direction. For all of us, we yearn for good tidings, better results and a change of direction in our country's present dismal path.

At the beginning of 2006, we had great hopes of something different, including a change of leadership in government, which did happen with Portia Simpson Miller taking over as Prime Minister. Initially, Jamaicans expected the new Prime Minister to stamp her authority and leadership on government, and provide the nation with a new direction. Her popularity was at its zenith. She could do nothing wrong. It was even unwise to criticise her.

After nine months in office, Jamaicans quickly realise that it is more of the same PNP, and Simpson Miller is no different, but worse, she is just not up to the task.

As Prime Minister, Simpson Miller has had enough time and opportunities to demonstrate that she is a strong and no-nonsense leader but, oh dear, she has failed to lead decisively.

When the cement crisis occurred, Minister Phillip Paulwell should have been fired but he was not even chastised.

In spite of her commitment in her inaugural speech to human rights and justice, the citizens, especially from the poorer areas, suffer one injustice after another, and Simpson Miller has done nothing to stem the tide of injustice, human rights abuses and the daily disrespect and indignities, primarily from state agencies.

When the Trafigura scandal emerged, Simpson Miller kept silent for almost two weeks and when she spoke in Parliament, instead of apologising to the nation, she justified the 'donation'.

The PM has yet to demonstrate that we can rely on her word - she told the nation that the Trafigura donation will be returned. Are we still to ask the PNP for an answer?

Jamaica can do better. But, we can only do better if we seek the best and seek to do better along every step of the way.

For 2007, we need to aim higher and accept responsibility when we fail or when things go wrong. We must stop accepting mediocre performance and start judging ourselves by higher standards.

For 12 years and more, we have tried to grow the economy and have failed dismally, averaging less than one per cent during the period.

But, even if we grew by three per cent annually for 10 years, would it really impact significantly on our citizens? I rather doubt it.

Socially, we must do better. Our citizens deserve decent, social services, available health care, affordable education and better opportunities to improve their lives. But, for the majority, they cannot find them.

As we herald in the New Year, let us determine to seek and get the best. We can start by ensuring the best leadership and the best government.

If, in 2007, we shed our selfish concerns, avoid putting party first, overcome our indecisiveness, and put Jamaica before every other consideration, perhaps, Jamaica can start to head in the right direction.

Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com.