The Editor, Sir:

The Jamaican Government has become broken, dysfunctional and unresponsive. The different arms of the Government are not working together. The citizens no longer have the confidence in state agencies set up to handle their many problems and, in some cases, the agency themselves have become confused.

There are many Jamaicans today who don't know who to speak with about simple problems of roads, gullies and bushing of overgrown lots etc. The parish council says it's not them, it's the National Works Agency (NWA); the NWA says it's parish council, and vice versa. Worse yet, the Government stands by and allows housing developments to be completed and handed over to homeowners without the scheme being transferred to the appropriate authorities. When problems develop later, every arm of government tries to excuse itself from it.

Too many problems

There are too many problems that we have to solve from Kingston. Why do we need the parish council and the NWA to fix roads? Why can't the NWA fix all roads and the parish councils make recommendation as to what roads are to be fixed? Why is there no formal mechanism set up so I can address my parish councillor or council on matters affecting me?

The broken and dysfunctional government also affects our social services, such as education. We continue to turn out illiterates at an alarming rate, who end up on the street hopeless and now bleaching their skins. We will not have enough police to contain crime, if we don't provide hope for these youths.

This is the 21st century where Government is expected to be responsive to the needs of its citizens, rather than be an obstacle.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD BENJAMIN

lloydbenjamin@dellmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica