The Editor, Sir:

Only in Jamaica can a Prime Minister arrange a major, across-the-board giveaway of state resources under the guise of providing hurricane relief. What is more shocking is that very little concern has been expressed about it by right-thinking Jamaicans. The fact that this is occurring a few days before a general election makes the action even more suspicious.

How many of the PATH beneficiaries and pensioners who are receiving $5,000 and $2,000 cheques suffered actual loss directly from 'Dean'? No one knows. What about those who suffered but are neither pensioners nor PATH beneficiaries? Wouldn't it have been a more useful and prudent exercise to complete the social survey that was started by the Ministry of Social Services and then issue the benefits to those actually in need?

Why the rush to give money when there were other means of assistance that could have been used in the short term? And what about the Prime Minister and other senior party members appearing in person at the time of the give-aways? Was it a genuine concern for the people OR was it something else? In either case, 230,000 persons receiving $2,000 and $5,000 will be very grateful to the PM. That's approximately one-fifth of the voting population.

No doubt many of these persons are in need, desperate need that didn't begin with the passage of 'Dean'. And clearly I don't begrudge them their cheques but when approximately $500 million of taxpayers' money is being doled out I would prefer to know that the right people are receiving it - and for the right reasons. Only in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

OWEN K. FERGUSON

owen-ferguson@hotmail.com