JAMONOMICS

Judging by my title you probably think you know what I am going to say. The Prime Minister last night shocked the nation (or the small percentage that I don’t already know) when he announced in his PSA that he was giving the Justice minister the order to sign the extradition request for Dudus. He made it clear that he never said the government was not going to sign the extradition treaty, but that that they wanted clarification on the powers of the Justice Minister on the matter (blah*stalling*blah), and to ensure that Dudu’s rights were being protected as a citizen of Jamaica. While I do not believe this was the real reason for the delay, the signing of the extradition treaty in my eyes vindicates the government, not totally, but mostly from the previous mess. The issue of Bruce misleading the nation on the Mannatt issue is another very serous issue and should warrant a resignation in my books – if it was not for last night.

For those of us that struggled and managed to listen on after Bruce said the word ‘sign the extradition’ then you probably would have heard the MOST important part of his message. Basically, the Prime Minister plans to push through legislation that has been around for years literally, aimed at stomping out corruption and the vicious violence politics nexus that beholds the country. To do this he plans to fast track:

• Measures to reverse the institutionalization of political tribalism and garrison;
• Provisions for the impeachment of public officials;
• Term limits for the Office of the Prime Minister;
• Vesting constitutional authority in the Contractor-General and the Electoral Commission;
• Laws to regulate political party financing;
• Enacting into law certain provisions of the Political Code of Conduct with appropriate oversight and penalties for violations;
• Criminal sanctions for breaches of award of contracts;
• Parliamentary oversight in the appointment of certain statutory positions.

(JIS link)

Judging by the saddened state and demoralized situation the PM has found himself in, I have reason to believe that his words are sincere. After all, sources do confirm that the PM did in fact resign on Friday morning, but was convinced by his party later in the day to do otherwise. Also, these measures are not JLP created, but are the result of both national, regional and international consultations as well as detailed research and analysis of the Jamaican crime and corruption situation. I do believe that if implemented properly, they can work.

Now the reason why I support this is because I think Bruce is the best shot of all the possibilities of implementing these reforms. Serious doubts are in mind as to whether or not they would be implemented had he resigned and someone else taken over, because most Jamaicans would have left it at that and the whole affair would be over. But the situation goes much deeper than one prime Minister. this is Bruce's shot at vindication.

I am hopeful. Call it overly optimistic, naive or ignorant. But I think I’m looking at the basic economics of the situation here. Bruce is between a rock and a hard place, and if he cares as much about his legacy, integrity and reputation as much as he seems to, then there is a slight glimmer of hope for redemption and rectification.

We can seize the opportunity to try and make these nice words turn into actions; if they do, they are good actions. -- Dr Carolyn Gomes, The Gleaner May 18 2010