The Editor, Sir:

This is a response to a letter from one L. Kellier published April 12:

Dear Mr. Kellier,

Your letter suggested that I should pay for the upgrading of the Bogue Road due to the Bogue Village development. However, neither I nor my company were responsible for the development at Bogue Village.

As a developer, I would further add for your information that national infrastructure, such as the Bogue main road, is the responsibility of the National Works Agency and such upgrades are amortised over decades something that only a government-type institution can afford by applying user fees such as vehicle fitness and licencing fees.

From an economic standpoint, had the developer of the Bogue Village community been required to upgrade the Bogue main road as part of the development approvals, that would have, without a doubt, driven the price of the housing units out of the reach of the target market, thus depriving those now bona fide 'homeowners' of the opportunity to own their own home.

We cannot allow prejudice to overshadow the realities which is that over at least the last two decades this nation has been impoverished through mismanagement, questionable economic policy and allegations of extreme corruption to the point where the private sector is now paying some of the highest taxes in the region, yet we are also now expected to finance and implement government responsibilities for which very services we are paying these high taxes.

Let us focus on restoring our nation to a point of strength and probity through demanding accountability, transparency and efficiency from our government institutions both at the national and local level. And if your concerns for this country are sincere then we would welcome your return to help us rebuild this nation.

I am, etc.,

MARK KERR-JARRETT, J.P.

Managing Director

Barnett Limited,

Montego Bay