CRIPPLING ENERGY COSTS: How bright is our future?

                                                                       by Kymberli Whittaker, LL.B, LEC, B.A

In October 2014, the Prime Minister of Jamaica , the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, while addressing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) sponsored 2014 High-Level Caribbean Forum, said  the high cost of energy is the single most deterrent to economic growth in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, While I would not say it is the single, most deterrent reason, I must admit that it ranks high on the list. At US$0.40 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) we are bound to a cycle of poverty as we produce less, are able to buy less and thus we want  more , but are unable to maximize on our growth and development whether on a personal or national scale.

In understanding the issue of energy, the Prime Minister states that the energy costs accounted for in excess of one-third of Jamaica’s total import bill, and more than 125 % of the country’s total merchandise exports. Businesses have been affected severely by these high costs as manufacturing in Jamaica is expensive, yet we continue this nationalistic chant of “Buy Jamaica, Grow Jamaica”. The truth of this matter is that Jamaican goods are more expensive than those produced by our  foreign competitors. So even though we wish to support Jamaica, “Land we love”, our pockets do not allow us. The domino effect of this is increased imports, and money not staying in Jamaica to further contribute on a larger scale to our growth and development.

Nestle Jamaica confirmed yesterday that they will be halting local production of the Milo Energy drink due to high energy costs. They are packing up and moving out because of the high costs. Jobs will be lost, livelihoods will be affected, and  Jamaica will lose out yet again. In the mining sector over the years we have seen the closure of 2 million tonnes of annual alumina capacity since 2009 causing us to lose the possibility of US$700 million of gross export earnings. In addition, we recently learnt that the positions of more than 200 employees of the Bernard Lodge sugar estate in St Catherine have been made redundant to cut costs among other relevant factors I believe.

The ripple effect on small business cannot be ignored as we are constantly reminded through  the Opposition political party that Entrepreneurship is the way forward, and as was said quite recently, the days of Government creating jobs are over. The high taxes and the crippling energy costs mean that the playing field is not level and the odds are already stacked against a small business or enterprise seeking to make a profit and become viable. The graduates from University thus cannot realistically look to starting a business after leaving Tertiary level institutions as it is made to seem.

Petrojam came into being in the 1970's in the midst of an oil crisis, so that we could buy oil and refine it ourselves at a cheaper rate. Esso who had owned the refinery did not want to upgrade it and as such the Government of Jamaica bought it. As a state-run entity Petrojam is a revenue earner for our Government and this is reflected in their unwillingness to pass on the savings as consumers. What is happening now is know in economics as a "Windfall" where an unexpected gain is being exploited by our Government, as Petrojam is making more money due to this continued drop in oil prices.

Concerning JPS, Have we forgotten that the Government owns 20% of the shares in the Jamaica Public Service? The Government has representatives on the Board and most importantly for every $1.00 that JPS makes in profit, the Government makes $0.20. In doing the maths and trying to understand the economy, we as a people have to take a more active role in reducing costs for ourselves.

In June of this year, the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Hanover invested in Solar Energy in order to attempt to save over $80 million (roughly US$730,000) in energy costs per year. The University of Technology  also unveiled the UTech/JPS Unveil 100 KW Solar Energy Project which is projected to save US$224,000 in fuel cost per annum. Solar Energy has such a great impact that the approximately $1 million monthly electricity bill at Holy Trinity High School has been reduced by approximately half. The fact the bills are even so high to begin with is incomprehensible for many, but I applaud their proactive efforts in taking charge of their energy costs.

Alternative Energy may be a partial answer to this dilemma however the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has also raised a pertinent point “local manufacturers and consumers are not benefitting enough from the effects of the strong global reduction in oil price”. The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica  allegedly is not passing down the price decreases but pass on the pass increases with precision. Oil prices fluctuate howver consumers are not feeling the pressure ease.

A comprehensive approach needs to be taken to address our energy issues, to look at Alternative Energy to make it more affordable for our Jamaican people, as to depend on the Jamaica Public Service which is being run by a privately owned entity whose concern is to make a profit is ludicrous. We all need to step up and know that energy affects all parts of our life, as it affects the cost of goods and services which we cannot live without. It enables increased access to services that raise our standard of living. 

Our future is in our hands, so we need to advocate for a revolutionary move as we cannot turn off the lights on our future or watch it dim until eventually it fades for good. 

LESSONS FROM FIDEL and THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

by: Kymberli Whittaker

Bachelor of Arts, History (Hons)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons)

LEC

“Convict me; It doesn’t matter. History will absolve me.”

A man who dared to oppose the mighty United States of America; A man who had a vision and executed it with an iron hand; A man who put the people first. His name is not synonymous with democracy but his speeches, his participation in wars all across the world helped to preserve so many nations while breaking them out of bondage and mental slavery- thus contributing to their democracy. Fidel Castro is an epic leader of our time. His life which has been marred by propaganda has many lessons. No, he is not perfect or the best leader, this world has ever seen, but there are some salient lessons which his approach to change and maintaining change can teach us:

1) Elevation of the Mind

One can succeed and improve their mental state, only through increasing knowledge sought after daily. Fidel attempted a Coup, and was unsuccessful and he was imprisoned for two years in Cuba. Instead of being discouraged and giving up the fight, he resorted to consuming literature which elevated his mental state. His thirst for knowledge I believe, exposed him to different ideas, thus making him uncomfortable with his present realities. 

Reading 12-16 hours a day, while imprisoned, made him the man we know of today.

An important part of his Revolution was Education, without education, the people could not improve. 1961 was named the year of education. Thousands of young people set out into the isolated parts of the island to teach farmers and uneducated persons how to read and write. A literate nation is a better nation, and a nation that can make informed decisions. Elevation of the mind is key in facilitating change.

2) No man is an island

This may seem contradictory given the stance he took in not bowing to International pressure which opposed Communism and sought to demolish him, leaving Cuba isolated for many years. He knew that support is needed for any cause. Travelling to speak with members of the Diaspora, he formed links and the bonds were cherished as he sought to promote his ideals. He made individuals feel Important and through that approach, many supported him and continue to support him today.

On the way to start the Cuban Revolution in 1959, one of him men fell overboard as they travelled by ship to land. Fidel refused to leave this man, and he and his crew searched the dark murky waters until they found him. This act delayed the synchronized co-ordination of the attack on Batista’s forces, as some of his followers were already waiting on land, and started the revolution without the support from the Sea. The death toll was high, and of the original 82 men who came by ship, only 21 managed to regroup in the Sierra Mountains to recruit farmers and others to assist them in the fight.

Fidel surrounded himself with strong personalities such as Che Guevara, men who got the work done. He did not do everything by himself, nor did he try to.

3) If at first you don’t succeed try and try again

Remember Fidel failed the first time, and please do not think it was easier the second time. The actual war between Fidel’s followers and Batista’s troops lasted two years. Perseverance will yield results, perfect your craft and always know your objective. Do the necessary groundwork to be able to win. Winning is most times hard, but it is always possible.

4) Be strategic in all decisions

During the Batista dictatorship, a reported number of 20,000 Cubans were killed. The people were fed up, tired, and fearful and the words of Fidel who campaigned to them was music to their ears. He made them feel as if they were first class citizens who deserved better and needed to take a stand against the Government who did not have their best interests at heart. The people longed for sovereignty and independence and this was the platform he used to gain mass support

He was aware of the importance of the media, and he made sure he was accessible to the press, even in English. Any person especially in government should know that the press should not be your enemy. Consistently refusing to talk to the press especially on major national issues, will cause mistrust to fester in any country- Including Jamaica. One must be strategic in ALL decisions.

5) No weapon formed against me shall prosper

He did something I am almost sure Jamaica would never do, oppose the United States of America. For years they terrorized and reigned through their ‘Big Stick Policy” popularized by President Theodore Roosevelt, where they sought to control and involve themselves in the running of governments, setting up Presidents and removing them when they no longer served a purpose. Batista’s forces were trained by the US who armed them with artillery and aircraft.  In his words,

“The overt war against the country, became a covert war against the man”

The US opposed Fidel essentially because he we for his own people which naturally conflicted with US interests. The US fueled by capitalist motives had nothing to gain by his reform. Through the “Agrarian Reform Act” property was redistributed as foreigners owned almost 70% of the arable land and most of the sugar industry was in US hands. No money was staying in Cuba, and what remained did not benefit the masses.

Fidel’s family was by no means impoverished and he expropriated land from them as well, leading by example. For years, through an embargo which lasted from 1960-62 until 2014 Cuba was punished severely for not backing down from the US. The Cold War which has often been used as the reason for hostilities does not make sense as the “US-Cuba Cold War” outlasted the "real" Cold War, which ended in 1989. Increasing agitation from the UN and the changing global climate which sees nations such as China rising in superiority has shown that even though one may undergo isolation and hard times, no weapon formed will prosper and hard times will not last forever.

6) No matter how hard times are- Help Others

The Embargo really stifled economic growth and prosperity in that nation, however Cuba is known for helping other nations, whether they are neighbouring Latin American states such as Bolivia or as far away as Vietnam, where Cuba during their war sent rice, sugar and blood donations to them. They  sent trained doctors, engineers and agricultural workers to assist in not only the fight , but the building back.

Fidel’s family was by no means impoverished and he expropriated land from them as well, leading by example. For years, through an embargo which lasted from 1960-62 until 2014 Cuba was punished severely for not backing down from the US. The Cold War which has often been used as the reason for hostilities does not make sense as the “US-Cuba Cold War” outlasted the "real" Cold War, which ended in 1989. Increasing agitation from the UN and the changing global climate which sees nations such as China rising in superiority has shown that even though one may undergo isolation and hard times, no weapon formed will prosper and hard times will not last forever.

In 1975 as Angola moved towards independence from Portugal, the CIA along with the apartheid government of South Africa tried to bring down the new Angolan government. At the request of the Angolan president, Fidel sent 36,000 troops to keep the South African forces from attacking the capital, Rwanda. In 14 years of war over 300,000 Cubans- doctors, engineers, teachers and soldiers played an important role in Angola, over 2000 died.

In 1988 Fidel sent in more Cuban troops and with this increase, a large nail was driven into the coffin of Apartheid, and he helped to shed light on the struggle of the African people. African History has been shaped by Cuban presence and assistance and Nelson Mandela was one of Cuba's greatest friends.- Such was the impact and reach of the Cuban Revolution. Such was the reach of Fidel.

Live and learn, separate the bad aspects from the good, and give praise where praise is due, and in all situations- learn lessons.

Sex Offenders: Do you really know your "neighbour"?

 by: Kymberli Whittaker

Do you know how many sexual offenders, rapists or child molesters live in your neighbourhood? Contrary to the belief of some persons, many sexual offenders and predators don’t live only behind zinc fences and in garrison communities, they also live behind pretty walls, automatic gates and well trimmed hedges.  They could be your friendly neighbor, extra-lesson teacher for your kids, Grocer and even your co-worker and unbeknownst to you they lurk, plan and plot to commit sexually motivated crimes on a day to day basis.

Unfortunately we cannot go into a person’s mind and know the perverted thoughts they harbour and prevent them, but as a nation we should have the power to reduce the amount of dastardly acts by being informed and acting accordingly to protect ourselves and our family from persons who look so innocent but have a convicted criminal record for committing a sexual offence, especially against children.

There has been much debate and discussion over the years about the creation of a Sex Offenders’ Registry to track local offenders. The Sex Offenders' Registry was established as a part of the Sexual Offences Act which was passed into law in October 2009.  However, the regulations for the Registry were tabled in November 2012 but were not put to use because of the absence of a database.  In May 2014, we were told by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Peter Bunting  that the data system to facilitate the Registry was complete and work was to begin to get the stakeholders up to date.

This is awesome news that we are actually making headway after almost 5 years of waiting, however I am concerned about its effectiveness once implemented as this is a collaborative effort between several Government agencies. Our courts need to have efficient reporting procedures and as an entity steeped in the paper or hard copy mentality, they will have their work cut out for them especially as it relates to sending the necessary information for the previous convicts. For this Registry is to work, we need to establish a proper system of entering information on the offender within a timely basis in order to facilitate efficient dissemination.

I anticipate that with this Registry we will be able to see the communities where most offenders live and try to stage an intervention and  if possible to attack the root cause of the problem and prevent others  from walking down that road of perpetuating sexual abuse towards others.

Hopefully the fear of having their name, address, alias, photograph, date of birth and places frequented placed on a list will detract many from committing these type of crimes, and for those who have have already offended, the fear will keep them in line. Sexually motivated crimes are high on the list on crimes where re-offending takes place and this has been ignored for many years, as we falsely hope that the persons released just change their ways and choose not to re-offend. and this is ludicrous. There is no evidence that they receive counseling while incarcerated or special help to understand the issue and prevent it from taking place which helps to contribute to the cycle. 

Now as we know the group JFJ is the Champion for the protection of the rights of different categories of criminals, and they have posited that  “people have served their time and done their punishment”, yet we would be “stigmatizing them and leaving them vulnerable” if their information is made available to the Public.  However on speaking on behalf of my law abiding citizens, I say that  for too long our rights have been ignored, abrogated and treated with disdain. We deserve the right to at least to know how  many sex offenders live where we live; live where we send our children to school,  as  some of our kids have to walk to school daily.  So far we have been taking risks without knowing the odds, and we should be able to take calculated risks and not leave things like safety up to chance.

If the Government is afraid of crimes being perpetrated against convicted persons who have served their time and now roam the streets, this is indeed a valid concern, as Jamaicans really have little tolerance of persons even just accused of rape (although it would seem that persons of the higher echelon are able to get rid of this stain and be accepted with open arms by many upstanding citizens), however knowledge is power and I believe this knowledge can empower us. Names can be withheld from the general public  but be of use to other agencies where this information relating to character is crucial. Also persons who are sex offenders should be prevented from entering certain occupations where they may be placed in a compromising position based on their history and predilections .

This Registry is important  and once implemented will play a  critical part in  Jamaica's development. I am no longer patiently waiting, but I am anxious to see what our Government is coming with, and what terms and conditions will be attached to the implementation. I want to "know" my neighbour. Do you?

Students and Truancy

by Kymberli Whittaker 

As the new school year approaches, preparation is being made by parents and children alike for the start of the new school term. Some children look forward to new shoes, a crisp set of uniforms, new books, knapsack, and a shiny pair of shoes. The sad truth is, for some children, when school starts the shoes lose their shine, and being back at school loses its novelty. It is back to the same old routine, getting dressed to sit in a class hour for almost 6 hours a day. As the days pass, less and less students in many primary and high schools across our nation simply stop going to school everyday.

An unfortunate number of students attend school on an ad-hoc basis and then turn up for exams, and as expected perform poorly. They lack the basic skills which would give them some amount of leverage in the real world, and the cycle of poverty and crime is perpetuated as a result.

An active Truancy Unit is needed in the Ministry of Education to deal solely with Truants or absentee students and also parents need to be held accountable for their children’s absence from school without explanation. Many students stay home. This is a hard concept for many who have passed through the traditional high school system to understand, where a register is marked daily and if there are any discrepancies in behavior or attendance the parent or care giver is called in. Many students with the knowledge of their parents stay at home or roam the streets during school hours.

At the end of the last school year I was able to view the school report of a female high student from a Corporate area non-traditional high school with over 100 absent days. The teacher recommended in the report that if she attended school on a consistent basis that her performance would be better. Of course this Grade 9 student failed all the subjects she sat in exams. “Where are the parents?” I asked in shock. The reply I received is that they were poor and had no money, and also that the child did not go because she did not feel like attending. The parent was called in to the school, but nothing came of it.

Through investigations, I found out that this child was on the PATH programme, and received assistance allowing her to get meals free at her institution and also to get cash to offset expenses. She was removed from the PATH list most likely because of her poor attendance record, however there was no evidence that more was done. I believe children should not have a choice to attend school or not. They cannot be left to their own devices to choose to go. Their brains are underdeveloped and  they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. They are not adults and a sustem needs to be put in place to mandate them to go.

Chronic absenteeism needs to be tackled immediately. Section 27 of the Education Code says a student can be dropped from the register if he is absent for up to a month without notifying the institution of his withdrawal, but before we reach this far, I advocate that there should be an authority to regulate absenteeism, so that teachers on marking a student absent for an apparopriate period to be decided, can report it and truancy officers can investigate each case to decide how to proceed.. If money is the problem, the children should be placed on the PATH programme as this is one of the reasons it was instituted and monitored and if they lapse there should be consequences. If there are behaviourial issues, the children should be identified, so that corrective steps may be taken to curb their behavior through boot camp, rehab or therapy. If the parents are hindrances to their child’s attendance, I advocate for stiff penalties to deal with them.

Parents who prevent their children from attending school, for different reasons, such as forcing them to sell on the road, or work in the family farm during school hours should be held criminally liable for their failure. Child labour is often overlooked in Jamaica, and some parents exploit the fact that more persons are willing to give to a child beggar than an adult. Some parents simply do not enforce rules at home and promote indiscipline, which results in the children running amuck when they go on the road. Then we wonder why there is so much lawlessness and lack of discipline that pervades Jamaica.

Schools should be held accountable for failure to abide by the regulations of reporting Absentee children or truants, and it is only then, we can really say we are making steps to educate our nation as a whole. Too many are falling through the cracks and then we as a nation look, condemn and try to get our own kids into reputable institutions, wondering how over 100 schools can be operating at a less than desirable level. These are the children who do not do well, continuously repeat or are promoted to other grades to flunk out. They are not able to formally enter the working world and this also contributes to the low illiteracy rate. These are the people whose interviews we laugh at when watching the news, giving birth to viral videos; the people who we see and never want to associate with or cause us to hold our purses near to us when we go on the road.

A little interest goes a long way. How can our students learn if they are not in school. For this school year I challenge you all to not support truancy and absenteeism. When we see children on the road during idling during school hours, especially in uniform- call the school, call the police, call the Ministry of Education…honestly I don’t know who you are to call, but something has to be done. We need a TRUANCY HOTLINE!

Take a stand against illiteracy…Take a stand against poor exam results….Take a stand for Jamaica’s development…Take a stand against Truancy.

“This aint Ferguson”: Will You be marching against the JUTC Bus Fare Increase?

by Kymberli Whittaker

On August 20, 2013, The Generation 2000 (G2K) issued a press release stating its opposition to the recently announced fare increases for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses. Their President Floyd Green made some salient  points regarding mismanagement of funds, pillaging of pockets of those who can least afford it, etc., all of which is aimed at looking about the interests of those at the lower end of the economical strata. Admirable to say the least.

What is not admirable is the hard and fast stance taken by the JLP. They are not asking for the increase to reduced, but instead they want no increase at all. This I cannot reconcile.

I will compare JUTC to a pretty  house with a weak foundation at its base, and no furniture on the inside. Commuters are able to ride around daily in luxury in Air Condition, sitting in comfortable seats with music wafting through the speakers to provide ambiance. It looks nice on the outside, but an important question to ask is, how is this being funded?

It is important to note that drivers of their own personal vehicles in these harsh economic times, have to wind their windows down,  wishing they could turn on the A/C, and when they go to the gas pumps they  state “$500 gas please” from the pump  attendant with no shame. Times were hard last year, and it will be even harder this year.  People have accepted it.

JUTC is not making a profit, they are not even breaking even as $10,000,000.00 a day is lost just to keep the company up and running. This is tax payers money not JUTC’s money that is flushed daily as we travel up and down in A/C on buses blazoned in the National colours of our flag.

As it stands now, the government has reduced the fee for Senior Citizens to $40 from $60, as they deal with the backlash, but as a people we need to look and dissect that there is a huge problem with how the JUTC is being run.  Just recently in April of this year, the JUTC announced that they would be adding 69 new Volvo buses to its fleet by month end, providing an additional 3,657 passenger seats, also the JUTC imported 18 containers of parts since last year, in an effort to have adequate parts to maintain all its buses. These things do not pay for themselves, and we should have seen the fare increase coming from a mile away.

Is the JUTC operating above their means? Of course. But that is not the concern. We weren’t complaining when money was being spent to acquire the new buses. We dont complain when we take the buses and do not pay toll individually when travelling from Portmore. Yet the toll has to be paid with the JUTC owing millions for its daily travel. I won’t lie, it is being run like a business, for example we saw less licences being granted to outsiders in the transportation sector  in order to give the JUTC more market share, but the hemorrhage is still continuing.

PROTESTS

This is not Ferguson. Persons and Civil Society Groups have been invited to protest at a mass rally with the JLP and some have declined. Andrew Holness, the JLP Party Leader has even stated that even if he is the only one in Half Way Tree he will be standing up against it.

This is Jamaica, no lives have been lost, and we can see that even when lives are lost, we are quick to wrath but slow to action. I caution that if the party has been encouraged by the support of the protestors of the Professor who marched on his behalf, most likely they won’t be out because it is quite likely that they drive. As it stands now the $20 increase will not draw fire and brimstone from the masses. Unfortunately I do not believe that this is the proverbial straw which broke the camel’s back.

I went on a JUTC bus today, and persons were already trying to pay the $120 only to be told “Not today”. Persons have already started budgeting for it, and many will mumble and grumble but will not question it.

The protestors in Ferguson are passionate about the issue and want to see change. In other words, “dem tired and fed up”. As a people we are not tired and fed up ,because we are not asking the right questions. This problem is not one that mushroomed overnight. Why is it just coming to the fore? Are they accountable to no-one?  We are not keeping abreast of the issues while this company is being run into the ground. From what I can see looking in, an effort is being made now to salvage what they can (let us pretend to ignore the IMF agreement influencing most decisions nowadays), and as a people we have to be reasonable in our demands.

If protesting I would protest for accountability and a plan to be presented to the public to stop the hemorrhage of funds, cause as stated by the JUTC Chairman, The Reverend Dr Garnett Roper “if the provision of spare parts and maintenance of the buses were taken into consideration, it would cost the JUTC management an estimated $560 per ride to keep the units on the road”. I would not protest over the increase, because it is minimal when placed into the proper context.

Remember I said it, This $20 is only the beginning.

Reduced Access to Tertiary Education: Dilemma for the Poor

by: Kymberli Whittaker

"Do well and you will be rewarded". This is the foundation on which educational goals are set. The higher up you climb on the educational ladder, the better off you will be. Children are admonished to pass GSAT (Common Entrance in my day) in order to go to a prestigious High School; then get good results at CXC so they can either go to Sixth Form or go straight to University. 

The objective of getting good passes at Fifth and Sixth Form is to gain acceptance to University to become the famed, Doctor, Nurse, Lawyer, Teacher, and Businessman to make money and get a better life. If born “poor” or “financially strapped”, the saving grace for many in these challenging economic times is the Students’ Loan Bureau.

Children are told that the only “right” way to make it in life is to get an education. Yet it seems that this “right way” is becoming more exclusive and elusive for those who do not have the “right” pockets.

Currently, the Students’ Loan Bureau is yet to identify the 1 Billion from the 1.8 Billion needed to finance loans for students: 6000 new and 9000 returning for the academic year 2014-2015. The school year officially starts September 1, 2014…less than two weeks away.

For the academic period 2012-2013, the institution faced a significant challenge to meet the $4.2 billion needed.  In October 2012, $1.7 billion or 41 per cent of the projected $4.2 billion to be disbursed was identified at that juncture. This shortfall is obviously not a new problem, and yet here we are again, two years later, looking at the causes, pointing fingers and yet not finding any viable solutions.

The figures are disturbing as the numbers agreed to be disbursed this year is almost three times less than that in 2013. It is clear, that fewer people are receiving financial assistance from the main entity put in place to fund tertiary education for the poor, and there is less money to pay out to the reduced numbers.

The SLB's  Mission Statement is fast becoming obsolete:

“THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE REVOLVING LOAN FUND PROVIDE THE POOR AND OTHERS WITH AFFORDABLE  FINANCING FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION AND CLIENT SATISFACTION THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIAL MOBILITY AND NATION BUILDING.”

It is evident the fund is not sustainable as is, and as a result will affect the poor and "others" with a ripple effect of reducing opportunities for social mobility and nation building through an educational platform. The fund aimed to benefit the poor will not be accessible to the poor. The poor ,who once they prove their need, have to pay money to insure the loan before it can be disbursed to the institution. The poor, who have to find additional sums for boarding/ living expenses if coming from rural areas, transportation, food, books and other materials necessary  to be successful in whichever degree they decide to pursue. The poor, who simply do not have it to begin with are at a greater risk of not being granted loans to assist in their social mobility.

We are in real trouble. Again, the news of the shortfall for the year  has come at the 11^th hour.  Hall Orientation has started  at UWI as the academic term draws nigh…yet, loans are still pending.  If we as a nation are not careful, the buck will stop at CXC for more and more students.

The loan scheme is to be a revolving  fund, however, those who have received loans in the past are not contributing to the fund as desired. Some persons simply cannot afford to repay their loan at the end of their university tenure as they are yet to receive gainful employment; others are employed in jobs which once their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing are met cannot  repay the loan while others simply choose not to. The latter  borrow and repayment is not a priority.

The Students' Loan Bureau has approached the private sector for funds to assist in closing the funding gap, but without any known success as institutions are unwilling to lend to SLB without a Government of Jamaica guarantee. It is evident that SLB's current loan model cannot sustain the growing demand for student loans without considerable yearly increases in capital. And even with a hundred per cent compliance rate for repayment, on the part of borrowers, the increased demand for more student loans calls for greater capital injection in the SLB.

Jamaica’s economic climate is harsh, however one has to acknowledge that we are treading through dangerous waters, as Bachelor’s degrees are almost a dime a dozen, with several institutions offering programmes and at the end of the student’s tenure,  jobs commensurate with qualifications are hard to find. The stance taken by the Ministry of Education in prioritizing certain degrees for loan assistance probably has been a long time coming. Popular degrees such as Business Administration and Law are to feel the pinch, as relevant and under-subscribed  professions are given priority.

Students have to be strategic in career choices as it is pointless to go to school for 3-4 years only to sit at home with the same degree.

Tertiary education is becoming grossly undervalued and out of reach, so what then  can we do to secure  the future of the country.? Depending on the government and their institutions is not the way. Firstly parents need to start saving from birth to lessen the burden, as I believe that much responsibility is shafted to the state. $100 saved religiously at intervals during a child's lifetime is one way. We need to get into the culture of planning for the long-term.

The NEI Reports have shown that many students are under-performing, year after year. I believe the Government should stop paying for CXC Subjects. Great initiative but the free mentality at this level  is not heralding positive results.  The money saved can be put in funds to assist our youth who have accepted the challenge to work and make it in life.

  The Private sector also needs to step up to the plate because the environment which will be created in a few years will detract investors and prevent economic stimulation thus reducing profits and directly affecting their business. Alumni of institutions, need to step up and invest in their people and thus invest in their country. Jamaica has come a long way and as citizens we need to take a more active role in our nations’ development to prevent tertiary education from returning to the luxury it once was.

Taxation or Extortion: Banking Charges and Taxes crippling the Ordinary Man

By Kymberli Whittaker

Effective June 1, 2014, a new tax will be imposed on all withdrawals from deposit-taking institutions through electronic banking, point of sale transactions (debit cards), cheques, banking hall transactions, ABMs, ATMs, ETMs and internet transfers. The only exception is internet transfers made by a person between his accounts in the same financial institution.

This move has been made in a context where Jamaicans have been pleading for relief from an unprecedented increase in Commercial Bank charges and fees. In an interim report to Parliament, the BOJ said fee income, not including fees for loan processing, now accounts for the larger percentage of total revenue for commercial banks.

For the nine-month period January 1, 2013 to September 30, the BOJ said total fee revenue stood at 19.5 per cent. Fee revenue was recorded at 16.6 per cent in 2012, 13.6 per cent in 2011, and 14.9 per cent in 2010.

The report, which was prepared for the Economy and Production Committee, indicates that the portion of income earned by commercial banks in relation to overhead expenses is the highest in six years. It further shows that in terms of cost recovery, fee income, excluding fees for loan processing, moved from 26.4 per cent in 2008 to 28.6 per cent last year.

It is evident that the commercial banks are looking to increase revenue and the government is looking to increase revenue all at the expense of the law abiding citizens. Banking is a business however where do we draw the line in what is acceptable?

This move to tax withdrawals will affect the group least protected by our Government, the middle class who bear the brunt of the financial burden of this country. This dwindling middle class who is already lawfully paying income tax and other sums which are diverted to mismanaged institutions in the name of attaining growth and stability. Money diverted to pay for roads with huge potholes, to pay exorbitant fees to the money making entities which have been divested by our government in the name of them making a profit, not breaking even.

The local think tank Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) has stated that Jamaicans are not paying an unreasonable amount for bank fees, despite the significant rise in fees. In a report following a recently -concluded study, CaPRI said, "When viewed holistically, it is clear that for most of the commonly charged fees, Jamaican banks compare favourably with the banks sampled from other countries."

I assure CaPRI that the dynamics of other countries in terms of the financial spending power of their citizens are not comparable with ours, so referencing  countries, such as Barbados is not an appropriate measuring stick. Their minimum wage can go much further than ours, as I lived in that country myself for two years.

Mr Hylton, Group Managing Director  of the NCB told the  Economy and Production Committee of Parliament  that bank's fees and ratio of fee income to other income are competitive based on local, regional and international benchmarks, it is important to note that our salary and our standard of living do not compare relatively to these same benchmarks.  The people using the commercial banks here in Jamaica are the same ones who are affected by wage freezes, pay cuts etc, no employment, etc.

"Every mickle makes a muckle", and it seems as if no one desires that the working man keeps his mickle. Our salary is taxed prior to being deposited in the bank by our employers, it is subject to banking rates and taxes while in the bank and it will be taxed upon withdrawal of sums for our livelihood. What is the aim of the government? To decrease the revenue of the bank as a result of the foreseen preventative actions of many who will choose not to deposit their few dollars in the bank. Many persons bank for safety reasons, what are the perceived repercussions?

Many people say the ruling party, the PNP is not a government for the poor, I believe they are because the persons living in abject poverty will not be affected by the majority of their decisions. Who is affected? The middle class or the ordinary man.  We are being penalized for earning our money, saving our money, and spending our money.  What more do you want from us?

Jamaica needs a Revolution.

Stemming the Tide of Murder-Suicides in the Jamaican Constabulary Force

 By: Kymberli Whittaker

"He was a hardworking officer, we never saw it coming"...."How could he do this to his family?"...."What could lead him to this point to kill himself?".... "Could I have done more to help?"...Heart wrenching musings of persons who battle with knowing the perpetrator of a murder-suicide".

Murder-suicide, refers to an incident where a homicide/ killing is committed followed by the perpetrator's suicide almost immediately or within 24 hours after the homicide. Murder is a crime which has to some extent become desensitized  in our society as a result of the steady and unabating occurrence in Jamaica which is captured in explicit detail by our media houses.  We simply ignore  crimes until we or our loved ones are  the ones affected.

Murder-suicides however  in relation to other crimes are relatively uncommon but are increasing at an alarming rate in one particular sector in Jamaica; the sector where the persons vow  “To Protect and Serve”: The Jamaican Constabulary Force.

There are no statistics detailing the frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon in Jamaica, however reading our nations newspapers or watching our daily news, it has become evident that occurrence is increasing in regularity to the demise of our nation.

We are quick to condemn family members, spouses or affiliates of gunmen who end up  losing their lives or being hurt at the hands of those criminals, yet we as a nation are not removing the veils from our eyes to see that the carrying of a firearm even though legal, puts the family, friends and affiliates of the legal firearm holder at risk. At any time, given the state of mind of the holder anyone can die. It is a sad fact that being a Police Officer does not preclude them from committing a crime and we need to step up to the plate and be able to identify warning signs in the otherwise “law-abiding” citizen, to protect ourselves as it is not guaranteed that we can trust them to protect us.

I categorically state that there is a dilemma in our Police Force.  It is evident that needs are not being effectively met, police officers are slipping through the cracks and they are killing others and themselves. I am not able to speak to the Jamaica Defence Force as even though charged with similar duties, the transgressions of that group are not splattered across our headlines, however the legal gun touters in the JCF are committing crimes not only against themselves but against the wider populace.

It would appear based on the news reports that in Jamaica, Most murder-suicides are spousal/consortial, involving a man killing his wife, girlfriend, ex-wife, or ex-girlfriend, and it is safe to say that most if not all are committed by men. Where the public has to worry about crime perpetuated by stranger, family members and intimate partners of the officers in the police force have a lot to be worried  about and they may be in a real danger which may be concealed from the not so observant onlooker.

Pressure

When the pressure erupts in the life of an officer, anyone in their life may be at risk .I will not in any way seek to down-play the role of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the life of an officer, as the work which they undertake on a daily basis may be quite stressful…working long hours to protect citizens in a system which sees them as “Babylon”..they are disrespected by many citizens and to add to this, their pay is not commensurate with the daily risks which they take. All of these factors compounded with the taking of a life in the course of duty which  has psychological repercussions may not be addressed adequately in training and throughout their lifetime of service

Police are expected to take command of all situations, they are who we turn to when we are in need of help. Who are they to turn to? Men especially in Jamaica are not bred or socialized to show weaknesses and thus internalize any signs which would deem them as being weak which is synonymous with being incapable. Police officers are not only men, but they are seen as the “Law” or “Enforcers of the Law”. Yes there is the Chaplaincy Unit or Counselling unit of the JCF which is an avenue for Officers who are not coping to get assistance, but how many Officers will in a emasculating move accept that they are buckling under the pressures of service: I assure you- not many.

Power of the gun

Many underestimate the power of the gun- the feel of an instrument which guarantees you automatic fear or respect from others. Handling one daily may give the holder a feeling of being untouchable as they are the ones in control, but yet off the job they have to contend with personal relationships which may not be going in their way. They control their world while on the clock, but while off the clock, what do they have to do to maintain the respect in their family lives? Some officers resort to violence, they are not bred to talk and reason, instead they are bred to use actions instead of words. When this switch cannot be turned off while in the home arena, problems arise, ranging from verbal disagreements to domestic violence and sadly ultimately to death.This is exacerbated by financial distress, substance abuse or being investigated, internally or by IINDECOM. 

Police Officers face unique stresses , however they are less likely to ask for help. We cannot assume that they have their lives together, more needs to be done, or else these spate of murder-suicides will continue. Periodic mental evaluation of officers is key as our officers are at risk of losing perspective and becoming lethally broken

The signs are there

I cannot accept that no-one saw the changes coming in the officer to result in a murder-suicide . The signs no matter how minute are  there The duty rests on everyone to protect themselves and speak up to assist their loved ones. Report any disturbing behaviour to save not only yourselves but also them, because at the end of the day, the “I should have” or “I wish I had” will not turn back the hands of time and save lives.