SPEAKING NOTES
FOR
PRIME MINISTER
RT. HON. P.J. PATTERSON
FOR
LIVE AND DIRECT
ALEXANDRIA, SOUTHWEST ST, ANN
€'
MARCH 12, 199
UWI LIBRARIES
Live and Direct session is second in series since start of new
administration.
Provides yet another opportunity to :
♦ Acquire first hand knowledge of what ails you in your
various districts and communities
♦ Up-date you on the general direction of your
government
♦ Exchange thoughts with you
♦ Get your ideas as to how we can solve our problems
together
2
UWI LIBRARIES
Delighted at South West St. Ann being second venue for
new series
♦ Farming community with special national
importance, since agriculture is one of the
central economic development pillars
Aware that your constituency has shortcomings in
several in the areas:
♦ Health
♦ Education
♦ Job opportunities
♦ Infra-structural shortcomings
♦ Education and training
Tonight, we will air some of these issues and outline some
actions being taken and look at some approaches which
may be adopted in the future.
3
UWI LIBRARIES
IMPORTANT TO WARN
♦ No magic wand
♦ Solutions will take time
♦ There is therefore need for patience and
understanding
4
UWI LIBRARIES
Your newly assembled administration has been:
♦ Settling in
♦ Making plans and laying foundations to make good
on the undertakings which we gave to the country
and which resulted in our unprecedented third term
WHAT WERE SOME OF THESE UNDERTAKINGS
Overall, we said we would work towards creating a quality
society.
This concept has special meaning to rural folk, who know
the experience of a healthy environment and good "ole time"
country living, in which you are all your brother's keeper.
5
UWI LIBRARIES
cen
But,
We believe the entire country can, and must return to those
values and attitudes which served us so well in the not too
distant past.
So,
The quality society is our goal, our guide, our commitment
6
UWI LIBRARIES
What is the quality society?
It is one that produces a better way of life for the nation as a
whole and for every citizen within our borders
This Quality society will exhibit quality features.
- In our spiritual orientation
- In our social order, and
- In our physical environment
It is a society that is:
• Spiritually oriented, caring, disciplined, just and
equitable
• Educationally and technologically attuned
7
UWI LIBRARIES
The quality society is made up of both
♦ Economic and
♦ Spiritual considerations
Hence, good successful farming contributes
• A healthy tourist industry plays its part
♦ Your own home-grown bauxite plant and its
related mining activities, make their contribution
The civility we display, one to the other, completes the
picture of that quality Society.
UWI LIBRARIES
ECONOMY
A healthy overall economy is basic.
The Jamaican economy continues to enjoy relative stability.
♦ Inflation is being reduced and the exchange rate
is holding steady
AGRICULTURE
(
Despite the pro ' ems being experienced, agriculture retains
its potential for ajor development and forward strides
But,
We must a I understand and accept that 'it's a new ball
game'.
9
UWI LIBRARIES
ECONOMY
A healthy overall economy is basic. /
The Jamaican economy contin es to enjoy relative stability.
+ Inflation is J eing reduced and the exchange rate
is holdin/ steady
I
AGRICULTURE
Despite the problems being experienced, agriculture retains
its potential for major development and forward strides
But,
We must all understand and accept that 'it's a new ball
game'.
9
UWI LIBRARIES
For the sector to survive and take advantage of new
opportunities, it must become more efficient and productive.
♦ Cannot continue to enjoy protected domestic market.
unless it can provide consumers with quality products
at reasonable prices
• Cannot expect indefinite protected overseas markets,
if it's farm products cannot compete in quality, price
and consistency
10
UWI LIBRARIES
Main focus of sector :
♦ Increase and sustain its contribution to the general
economic growth and development of the country
Increase production and productivity in order to :
♦ Meet the food and nutritional requirements of
the population
♦ Reduce reliance on food imports through
greater domestic food production
♦ Expand exports of agricultural commodities to
maximise foreign exchange earnings
♦ Promote agro-industrial development; and
♦ Forge stronger linkages with the tourism sector
11
UWI LIBRARIES
TOURISM
♦ Enjoying good times
♦ Opportunities for farmers to supply food for
tourists
12
UWI LIBRARIES
CONTINUING IMF DIALOGUE
♦ Have always explained that on cessation of
borrowing from IMF, we would continue to
capitalise on our membership privileges to
benefit from on-going consultations
• As part of that process, our Finance Minister
recently held meetings with the IMF in
Washington to discuss the general state of the
economy.
♦ I subsequently met with the Deputy Managing
Director
• He has commented favourably on the mix of
macro-economic policies being pursued
♦ In particular our astute and careful handling
of problems in the financial sector
13
UWI LIBRARIES
♦ We discussed Government's desire deal to
decisively with the problems early to avoid
consequences down the road and to preserve
public confidence in the financial system
♦ I have advised the IMF that government's
actions were intended to lay the foundation for
sustainable growth in the economy.
♦ I have advised the IMF officials that my
administration was committed to improving the
quality of life for our people.
♦ Most importantly, re-affirmed my
administration's resolve not to resume a
borrowing relationship with the Fund, but that
we appreciate and respect their consultation
and advice.
♦ I also advised him that we would continue to be
a member in good standing with the IMF
14
UWI LIBRARIES
FINANCIAL SECTOR
♦ All Jamaicans are aware of these problems, in
general way, but not the full extent.
♦ The government's response has been to protect the
savers, the depositors, the policy-holders
♦ As we have taken the necessary steps, we have had
to acquire some banks and oversee the mergers of
others
♦ Indeed, the two recent problems with Workers and
Horizon, have been handled with such care that we
were able to avert panic, because savers and
depositors have developed confidence in
government's determination to ensure their
protection
Can say, the country has passed the worst in this situation,
and we can now settle down to consolidate and re-build the
financial sector
15
UWI LIBRARIES
There have been significant developments, from which the
parish of St. Ann in general and the South West
Constituency, have benefited
16
UWI LIBRARIES
BAUXITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Under this programme, implemented by the Jamaica Bauxite
Institute, some $3.SM has been approved for the
implementation of projects:
-Watt Town Skills Training Centre
-Peanut Growing on mined-out land
-Road repairs -Caledonia, Colloden, Endeavor,
Retirement, Barnstaple
These projects are at various stages of completion.
Projects proposed for next phase
-Revolving Cattle Scheme, Peanut Packaging Project,
Peanut Processing Factory, Rosetta Broiler Project,
17
UWI LIBRARIES
EDUCATION
The construction and maintenance of several schools in the
parish was undertaken.
Total expenditure $107.7 M
18
UWI LIBRARIES
NEW APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT.
♦ Major overhaul of Local Government commg to
provide more opportunities for people to contribute to
the development and problem-solving of their own
communities.
♦ The documentation of the problems and concerns of
your constituency, which was prepared for me,
indicates that you are not only knowledgeable about
your problems, but also capable of contributing to
their solution.
19
UWI LIBRARIES
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• The St Ann Parish Council has benefited from the Local
Government Reform process. New Administrative
procedures have been put in place along with increased
manpower and technical expertise.
The St Ann Parish Council, like other councils island wide,
has resumed receiving inflows from Central Government into
the Parochial Fund.
20
UWI LIBRARIES
TOGETHER WE CAN
Important therefore to recogrnse the importance of cooperative
approach to community problem-solving.
My administration's aim is build a society for the future,
which is based on the creative skills and talents of all the
people, from all works of life.
Particularly, we are seeking to fashion a place for our youth
to achieve meaningful personal development
The objectives we pursue requires the united effort of
everyone, so that together we can go forward as a strong
nation.
21
UWI LIBRARIES
ALEXANDRIA AND ENVIRONS
Thursday, March 12, 1998
5:00 p.m.
Charlton Infant School
UWI LIBRARIES
PROGRAMME
National Anthem
Chairman Is Opening Remarks Danvi I le Lawrence
Manager, Alexandria People's
Cooperative Bank, St. Ann
Prayer
Address
Vote of Thanks
Reverend Hugo Ray
Edmondson Methodist Church
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson
Dialogue
Althea Mi I ls
Resident
UWI LIBRARIES
