PNP leaders say stay the course at manifesto launch

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Sunday | August 12, 2007

Keith Collister, Business Writer

In an apparent impromptu speech at the PNP manifesto launch, Dr. Omar Davies offered the recurring theme of the night that, despite the challenges the PNP had faced over its 18 years in government, they had demonstrated a commitment to the Jamaican people that they can stay the course.

While he conceded that they were unable to cost all of their proposals, Dr. Davies argued that unlike the JLP's manifesto, the PNP's proposals are supported by analysis and a proud track record.

Dr. Davies challenged the JLP. "Ask them to tell you where they going to get the money from to fulfil the promises they have made in their manifesto. Ask them how you going to do it, to raise $9 billion for Members of Parliament (MP's). Ask them how are they going to pay sugar workers $3.50 for every pound of sugar they produce."

Dr. Peter Philips, as one of the keynote speakers, noted that the manifesto had been a collective effort, driven by their Policy Review Commission, which was chaired by Senator Anthony Hylton.

Dr. Phillips also argued that the PNP's 'peoples manifesto' showed a continued commitment to fiscal prudence and proper management, with no "wild promises", "election gimmicks" and "empty words", all designed to make Jamaica a First-World country.

The PNP Manifesto

The key theme of the PNP manifesto, entitled 'Shaping the Future Together. On Course to the Quality Society', was that Jamaica was 'on course' to achieve the planned transformation of Jamaica into a developed nation by the year 2030, and that the PNP was the correct answer to the associated question of 'Who can be trusted to deliver?' this vision.

The PNP's accomplishments accounted for a considerable portion of the PNP's 94-page manifesto.

Some of the PNP's infrastructure development accomplishments outlined at the launch on Thursday included modernised highways, seaports and airlifts, a first-class telecommunication system, and an expanded hotel industry.

In terms of macroeconomic stability, the PNP argued that its accomplishments included the lowest rate of inflation and interest rates in 25 years, the lowest rate of unemployment since Independence, the highest rate of foreign reserves in history, and the current foreign exchange regime.

They also stated that poverty was at its lowest rate since consistent record keeping began.

Looking forward, as part of their programme of 'wealth creation', the PNP promised to reform the labour market, continue reforming the public sector in the areas of customs, taxation and executive agencies, and to reduce the losses from the Sugar Company of Jamaica, Jamaica Urban Transit Company and Air Jamaica Ltd.

They also stated they would continue the modernisation of Jamaica's infrastructure, broaden its investment policy, develop science and technology, and build industrial clusters to expand industry.

The Prime Minister's Speech

In her speech, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller outlined some of the proposed 'mega platforms' for growth in the manifesto, including the new Highway Development Corridor, the development of a multi-modal logistics gateway at Vernamfield for air cargo transshipment, and the expansion of Spanish Town as a new commercial, civic and heritage centre.

Tourism

She indicated that another growth pole would be the expansion of luxury tourism at Rose Hall, Port Antonio, and particularly at Harmony Cove, the development of sports tourism, and the development of heritage tourism in Port Antonio and Port Royal. She also expected to continue the expansion of attraction-related and event tourism.

The Prime Minister also promised urban regeneration with a commitment to transform our "inner cities to winner cities, so that the people in our inner cities will consider themselves winners instead of what is being pushed at them on a daily basis."

In the important area of energy, some of the more familiar projects again outlined at the launch included upgrading the capacity of Petrojam, diversifying into ethanol production, constructing a natural gas facility at Port Esquivel, speeding up the current rural electrification programme and fully implementing the government's energy efficiency programme.