The Editor, Sir :

April 1, 2007 was April fool's day and it is understood from the report in the paper that Mike Henry a Jamaican Member of Parliament, is seeking a pay rise. I am wondering if he considered the timing with the current financial climate in Jamaica and with an increasing amount of poor people struggling or was it an April fool's day statement?

It should be noted that in the same breath, he is pushing for reparation, good! I think the best place he should push to start is lobbying the political parties in Jamaica/Government in paying reparation to the people of Jamaica who are still struggling ever since, due to bad management of the economy and lack of effective leadership which translates into money?

Truth & Reconciliation Commission

Should MPs and the Government not join Rev. Al Miller in pushing for a Truth & Reconciliation Commission in Jamaica? There are some serious issues that we need to address before any pay rise is awarded.

The crime wave has a root and we need to uproot it, not chop off the branches.

Jamaica needs proper governance not pay rise for politicians at this time.

Questions should also be asked as to why MPs are spending so much money for funerals? If an MP does so, such act is commendable, but don't ask the state back for such monies. Mr Henry and his colleagues should be lobbying for more money to local authorities/parish councils and empowering local councillors, that is where more money should go in helping and building communities, not individual MPs dishing out money to his/her supporters in securing their political position for life.

We object to any pay rises at this time for Members of Parliament until public sector workers, teachers, police, nurse and all Jamaicans have gotten a fair deal. At the same time it could have been an April fool's day comment, one can never tell.

I am, etc.,

Sylbourne Sydial

Founder & director,

Facilitators ForA Better Jamaica (FFBJ)

email: info@ffbj.org