NDM - news and views

SEPARATION OF POWERS

EMPOWER THE PEOPLE!
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
PETITION

JAMAICANS!! WE MUST HAVE A SAY!!

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Dear Editor,
Your editorial in the Sunday Observer of May 25 speaks volumes. I must say you have been very consistent over the past months, days and years in placing the blame in the areas where you think it ought to be. This is especially so after the brazen killings of constables Grant and Lawrence in Trench Town. I agree with your sense of disgust and shame, especially since our country's predicament is well known, and all well-thinking Jamaicans (at home and abroad) feel your anguish, pain and disbelief. As Jamaicans, we are repulsed by the current state of criminality.
That said, I offer my sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the fallen policemen and everyone else who has lost a family member to this wanton violence. I am glad to see that the people of Trench Town have publicly voiced their disgust at the incident, and I am sure the devoted and law-abiding members of the force are no doubt devastated and somewhat demoralised by the actions of those callous, unlawful renegades. I hope they understand we all feel their pain at this time, since any attack on a single constable or ordinary Jamaican is an attack on the institution of law and order. The very thought of which causes chills to run down my spine.
The time for action is now. But a word of caution. This does not require a one-man band - our leaders cannot do it alone. It requires the full cooperation of the government and the Opposition, churches, law enforcement, business, special interests, the community; in short, every man, woman and child, in every nook and cranny of Jamaica, and lest we forget, there are those of us abroad who are willing to help in any way we can.
Rupert A Francis
captfrancis@yahoo.com

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The National Democratic Movement is alarmed at the news report that the Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin has resigned. The NDM is calling on the Commissioner to reconsider his decision and reiterates its full confidence in him as fit and qualified to complete the job he started only a few months ago.

The NDM also urged the Police Services Commission and the Government of Jamaica to do everything in their powers to convince the Commissioner to stay on to complete his three year contract.

The NDM is fully aware that the job of Commissioner of Police in Jamaica at this time is extremely challenging and requires a special type of toughness that we are convinced the
Mr. Lewin possesses.

The Movement again repeated its call for the implementation of the Macmillan Crime Plan, inclusive of the dismantling of the political 'garrison' system, the holding of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission and a reform of the Justice system which will enable the full resumption of hanging in Jamaica.

The National Democratic Movement regrets the resignation of Director of Elections Mr. Danville Walker. For over ten (10) years Mr. Walker has guided the electoral process in Jamaica, fair and fearless. During his tenor the image and integrity of the Electoral Office of Jamaica has improved immensely to the present when the Jamaican people have full confidence in the voting process as being fair and accurate.

The NDM further regrets the circumstances which may have resulted in the reason for Mr. Walker to resign but wish to state that we categorically understand why it became necessary for him so to do.

The NDM believes that Jamaica has lost a valuable public servant. We hole-heartily thank Mr Walker for his faithful “service of distinction” and we wish Mr. Walker and his family all the best for his future endeavours.

We sincerely hope that circumstances in the future will enable Mr. Danville Walker to again give valuable service to the people of Jamaica.

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The NDM while supporting the recent announcement by the government to appoint a Commission of Enquiry into Finsac would like the government to broaden the terms of reference to include:

The NDM is disappointed in the reaction of former Minister Omar Davies who is still maintaining that the details of Finsac decisions should remain confidential despite the fact that so much of public funds were used to pay down the Finsac debt and also bail out selected individuals and provide lucrative deals to a few, at the expense of taxpayers and poor Jamaicans who are now saddled with that debt.

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The NDM congratulates Agriculture Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton on his recent (first 2008) Budget presentation which seem to recognize the dire need for more attention to Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

The Minister’s proposals for substitute cassava for rice and wheat is farfetched and obviously he is not aware of the massive cassava emphasis nearly 30 years ago and it’s unfortunate demise in the 80’s under a previous JLP government.

Another of Dr. Tufton’s proposals to begin backyard and school agriculture production is also commendable to save the average consumer $12000.00 annually. However nothing was mentioned about what will happen to the current farmer’s produce especially in high production areas like St. Elizabeth. Will processing factories be reopened and upgraded and will the Agricultural Ministry assist farmers to export the excess to regional and other countries?

While the Minister’s proposals may have some long term success the country needs to hear what the immediate measurers are to address the current Food Crisis.

According to a recent report by the BBC, the price of rice on the world market has risen by 70% over the past 12 months. Wheat have doubled over the same period, while corn, coffee, and soya have increased by almost 50%. The BBC report went on to say that these increases in food prices can be expected to continue well into the foreseeable future as current trends indicates a worsening of the imbalance between supply and demand. In short the world is having a food supply crisis, and it is getting worse. The Prime Minister of the Britain also recently acknowledged that the world food supply situation is getting worst and thereby threatening the social fabric of some societies. The International Rice Research Institute also made similar remarks.

In light of the current position and the predicted worsening of this situation, the NDM believe Jamaica MUST make an urgent and significant investment in efforts to feed ourselves. If we don’t then we may follow in the foot steps of Indonesia and Haiti where people are rioting because of hunger due to the rising prices of basis food items.

The international food supply and demand imbalance means that countries that cannot feed themselves will soon experience mass hunger and possibly starvation.

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The NDM believes that the government must go further to stimulate the Agriculture Plan and Nationally Mobilize the people to Feed Ourselves in the shortest possible time. The emphasis on backyard planting of short-term crops like Beans, Peas and other short growth legumes is ideal. We should also re-institute the fertilizer subsidy but on the locally produced organic type and reduce the high cost of irrigation water and equipment, and remove or significantly reduce all taxes on farm machines.

Serious attention must be placed on non traditional exports like ginger, sarsaparilla, and ackie, all crops can be ideally produced in Jamaica and fetch excellent export prices.
Other crops like cocoa beans and pimento must be freed-up so that farmers can be re-energized to produce and export without Ministerial red tape and approval.

National Democratic Movement
Horace Forrester
Speaking on Agriculture
25th April 2008
Contact: 335 2016

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The National Democratic Movement (NDM) considers the recent demands on Cash Plus by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) as outrageous and may result in the investors and depositors in Cash Plus not receiving any refunds.

The NDM is calling on both Finance Minister Shaw and the new Chairman of the FSC Mr. Emile George to reign in the present Director of the FSC, remove those conditions and create the climate for Cash Plus to begin immediately making refunds to all their depositors and investors.

The NDM is now convinced that the actions of the FSC, under the seemingly ‘blind eye' of the new JLP government, has been to hurt Cash Plus and cause massive losses by depositors and investors in Cash Plus and other ‘Alternative’ investment entities.

What else can the ordinary Jamaicans believe when the highhanded and arbitrary actions of the FSC in recent months were never adopted for the over five years that Cash Plus operated? Under the previous PNP, Cash Plus was allowed to transact business as usual.

At this time the interest of the depositors and investors in Cash Plus should be the paramount consideration.

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I must endorse the Observer Editorial in today's edition (Feb 13, 2008) entitled "When the PNP's light (bulb) went out".

I cannot believe that this once proud party could have come to such a sad state of moral decline and intellectual bankruptcy. National Hero NW Manley and its other founders must be turning in their graves to see their party reduced to such a low standard of politics and disdain for the people.

The behavior, attitude and mentality of its leadership and its handling of the Cuban light bulb scandal, the NSWMA, NHT and JUTC mess, among other issues, is shocking and appalling to say the least. I pity the party leader, general secretary, chairman and the Peart brothers. Their efforts to deflect the spotlight towards (and blame) the messenger for the Cuban bulb disgrace, in order to hide their nakedness, in light of the searchlight which has exposed their dastardly, shady deeds, have been quite pathetic.

Maybe the moribund PNP is still drunk with the wine of corruption & immorality and the effects of being in power for far too long - 18 and a half years. It has totally forgotten how to carry the mantle of the office of Opposition party in parliament.

What would have happened to this country if this sorry lot was not voted out of office? I shudder and cringe to think of it.

I hope the people of Jamaica are watching carefully an taking note. Our standards are far too low.

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The NDM is seeking clarification from the Speaker of the house Hon. Delroy Chuck on the matter of "leave of absence" being taken by PNP MP Kern Spencer. General Secretary of the NDM, Mr. Michael Williams, says the terms of this leave of absence could have negative implications with regards to the constituents being served by Mr. Spencer.

The issue of salary entitlement, access to programs like SESP and other funds that MP's use to upgrade and provide constituency development programmes and projects must be disallowed since Mr. Spencer will not be present in Parliament to make proper representation for his constituents. During Mr. Spenser's "leave of absence" from Parliament, will he be given access to Ministries and Public Servants in attempting to represent the people of NW St. Elizabeth? Also of concern is the fact that the buck seems to have stopped with the junior minister without any accountability from Minister Phillip Paulwell.

The NDM avers that taking leave of Parliament is not enough to satisfy the many concerns of mismanagement and nepotism that occurred in the light bulb saga. the NDM is therefore demanding a detailed explanation from junior Minister Spencer and Minister Paulwell as to the disappearance of nearly 100 million dollars of light bulbs as outlined in the Contractor General's report. Furthermore, the NDM is calling for a Commission of Enquiry into this matter as the police are not sufficiently equipped to deal with the issue with the urgency that is required.

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Subject: CONSTUTION PURPOSAL by Phillip A. James
To: Pajames37@gmail.com

(1) Have a executive president elected every four years directly by
the people of jamaica, and must have no more than two terms in office,
and if the president is elected once and lost the second election/term
then the president shall not contest another election/term
(2) Have fourteen senators from the fourteen parish elected every
four years by the people of the parish, and must live in that parish
before and after elected, and must have no more than four terms in
parliament
(3) On the question of recall i suggest that we have sixty one
members of parliament elected every two years by the people of the
constitency and must live in that constitency before and after elected
and must have no more than eight terms in parliament
(4) Separate the executive from the legislative
(5) Have a fix election date
(6) The president must nominate the cabinet and the senate or
parliament appoint them
(7) By the act of parliament a ministry or department shall establish
or abolish

(8) Minister or secretary must be nominated and appointed according
to there profession relating to the ministry or department
(9) The president shall not hold any ministerial post in the government
(10) No taxation without a representation
(11) Have a bill of rights including
(a) Freedom of speech
(b) Freedom of choice
(c) Freedom of the press
(d) Freedom of movement (to leave or enter jamaica)
(e) The right to a speedy and public trial
(f) The right to petition and redress
(g) The right to/of trial by jury (of twelve)
(h) The right of legal representation
(i) The right to a healthy environment
(12) The president shall have a veto power, but not that of a two
third majority of either house of parliament or both
(13) The president and the leader of the opposition shall nominate
high court judges and public officers and the senate or parliament
appoint them
(14) The president must not have the power to dissolve parliament

(15) Abolish section 48 subsection 3 and 4 of the constitution
(16) The cabinet must consist of no more than sixteen members and no
less than twelve members
(17) Abolish section 78 of the constitution and let the cabinet
ministers appoint there own deputy minister and change the name from
parliamentary secretary to deputy minister
(18) The president shall have nomination powers and the senate or
parliament have appointment powers
(19) The supreme court of jamaica shall have the power to try all impeachment
(20) A vote of confidence in the president or the cabinet minister
shall be of two third majority of both houses of parliament
(21) The salary of the president, ministers, secretaries, senators
and members of parliament must not increased or diminished but by two
third majority of both houses of parliament and must not take effect
until the next election date
(22) Abolish section 50 of the constitution
(23) Abolish section 136 of the constitution
(24) The president must nominate from amongst the cabinet members the
vice president

(25) Establish a inquisitor general with staff to investigate
politician and civil servants etc; the inquisitor general will have
the powers and conditions of the director of public prosecution and
the police, and will act on the report of the auditor general and
parliament and the police
(26) Mayor should be elected every two years
(27) change the name of the director of public prosecution DPP to
prosecutor general or establish a prosecutor general
(28) When there is a general election, a voter will have three votes;
one for the president (as head of government) and one for the senator
from the parish were in the voter live and one for the member of
parliament.

I am
PHILLIP A. JAMES
Tangle River
Point P.O.
St James
Jamaica
Tel 872-8128

The National Democratic Movement (NDM) is calling on the government of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the Opposition PNP to immediately declare their position on the “alternate investments entities” (AIE) operating within the country.

The NDM recognizes that these entities control vast sums of money from poor and ordinary Jamaicans as depositors. The NDM is calling on The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to immediately institute the necessary regulatory framework for these AIE and the traditional banks operations to ensure there co-existence so that these depositors money are not put at risk.

The NDM deems the recent utterances and actions of the traditional banks as irresponsible. They need to let the Government do what they are elected to do and they should not attempt to usurp the role and functions of the government and Parliament. They are acting like regulators and the NDM considers their actions grossly immoral. There actions could also be illegal and designed to cause enormous losses to Jamaican depositors.

The traditional banks need to immediately desist from the recently instituted policy of closing accounts, withholding/delaying payments of cheques and /or reporting these transactions as suspicious. The traditional banks should also desist from threatening their employees about where or with whom they should place their investments as they themselves are heavily involved in foreign exchange trading.

The recent spate of murders; 26 last weekend, 12 yesterday including the holding of the community of Gobay, St Catherine under siege; killing of a police constable and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, as well as the outrageous protest/demonstration by students at Clarendon College rebelling against the rules of the school and demanded to the right to have 'jeans days' and wear whatever styles or colours of clothes, bags, shoes, etc of their choice, the NDM makes the following statement:

The National Democratic Movement is calling on the Governing (JLP) and Opposition (PNP) political parties to utilize their well established influence and connections in the criminal network within their 'garrison communities' across the island to help bring the spiraling crime wave under control. The current crime wave intensified prior to the General Elections and increased immediately after to this alarming number.

The NDM is shocked and dismayed by the latest surge of wanton killings, and the vulnerability of Jamaicans at all levels and feels strongly that both major political parties are in a position to, with collective bi-partisan efforts, make Jamaica much safer if they so genuinely desire by bringing their over 35 collective garrison communities under control.

The Movement is outraged by the frightening reign of terror which daily claims the lives of Jamaicans in Gobay and most all other communities across Jamaica and wonders how many more of our law abiding citizens will have to be killed before the two tribal parties to use their influence to get the full cooperation of their "community leaders" to genuinely assist the security forces, or give the police the full authority and cooperation to cordon and search, using metal detectors to go and get the guns in the communities.

The NDM is also concerned about the high levels of indiscipline in our society as highlighted by the resent protest/demonstration by students of Clarendon College in pursuit of the promotion of indiscipline and a clear attempt to break down proper order rules and regulations within the school.

The NDM is calling on the relevant parents of the demonstrating children to condemn their behavior and take appropriate disciplinary actions against any child who took part in the vulgar, disgraceful protest action and have them openly apologize to the school and principal.

It also urges the Principal of Clarendon College and the Ministry of Education to be resolute in upholding high standards of discipline and provide more guidance for students as their negative mentality and attitudes are major contributors to the lawlessness and criminality which permeate our land.

The country needs a tough but fair Minister of National Security and the same for a Commissioner of Police to restore civility in Jamaica.