Create an environment to encourage growth and development

Last Sunday, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck made a presentation to newly commissioned Justices of the Peace, and it was one of the most passionate and practical speeches I have ever listened to.
He referred in particular to the rampant indiscipline, especially on the roads, and promised to ensure that the full force of the law is brought down on delinquent motorists. He also promised to consult with lawyers to see if there is any way that drivers with 10 or more outstanding tickets can have their licences suspended.

In addition, he indicated that at the end of the traffic ticket amnesty, anyone with unpaid tickets will have arrest warrants issued for them and they will be locked up.

I for one am in total agreement with the sentiments expressed by Minister Chuck, and I would even go further and say that anyone with two or more outstanding tickets should have their licences suspended.

In fact, it might not be a bad idea to systematically revoke all road licences and have holders reapply for them, at which time they would have to thoroughly convince the authorities why they should have them.

This might seem like a radical measure, but it is only by creating a disciplined and orderly society that we will be able to have a shot at real development.

I am sure that most people would have heard the saying, “Show me your company and I will tell you who you are.” Most of us understand that if you plant a seed in infertile soil, then the seed will either not grow or the plant that comes out will be too puny to survive.

The fact is that we will never be able to see any meaningful, sustainable growth and development until we create a fertile environment for people to become more productive. Productivity cannot thrive in an infertile environment. So just as seeds will not grow in infertile soil, people cannot achieve their potential if there is too much negativism and disorder around them.

Crime will not subside in an atmosphere of disorder and indiscipline. Businesses will not do well if citizens (consumers) do not reach their full potential.

This need for a fertile environment does not only apply to people, but also to capital. For years I have listened to people lament the poor productivity of capital and say that “the private sector” must contribute more to the economy, not understanding that the private sector comprises anyone who is not in the public sector, including those spouting criticism.

But local businesses will remain unable to realise maximum value and productivity if we continue to hold them back with inhibiting labour laws, or we continue to restrict the movement of capital.

In Jamaica's case, capital has to work much harder than in other countries. As an example, where our cash reserve ratios are higher than in other countries, then the capital left to work must have a higher rate of return. For that reason we may see fees and other charges not seen in other markets.

Another example of how environment affects outcome is the relationship between the increasing cases of abuse we have seen against children and the low educational performance over the years. This is why I remain disappointed that months after the case of the neglected seven-year-old was brought to the fore, no one from any of the responsible child protection agencies has been held responsible, which just shows the disregard and uncaring attitude we have for our children.

We should not be surprised about the environment that we have created. Our governance has long neglected our justice system, traffic ticketing system, child protection, and the list goes on.

Instead, our governance focus has been on fiscal policy that has the prime intention of grabbing more and more from the citizens while giving less and less. So today we have very bad roads, high crime, bureaucracy, and uncompetitive tax rates.

In plain terms, we have “deliberately” set about creating the environment we live in today, and sometimes I have to wonder about our intent and ability to change that environment.

The production of numerous studies and commentaries of “intent” lead to no positive outcomes. The “toxic” business environment we have created over successive decades simply goes from bad to worse.

This doesn't mean that we have not made some progress — as minimal as it may be. But what we have failed to understand is that we don't live alone in the world, and that improvement is not just assessed by absolute measures, but by relative measures. So while we are standing still, other countries are doing what is necessary to move ahead faster than we are. So we take 10 years to pass Road Traffic Act amendments, or 10 years to pass the new Procurement bill.

We are weighed down under many studies and reports, which tell us in a spectacular way what needs to be done. We listen to countless speeches made by politicians over the years proclaiming their good intentions. And the truth is that if we did even 20 per cent of what is contained in those many reports, we would be way ahead of where we are now, both economically and socially.

As I said at the start, Delroy Chuck is right: the only way to address the matter of indiscipline is to take a zero tolerance approach and bring the full force of the law down on perpetrators.

I also believe that the minister has every intention of doing all within his power to fulfil his promises. However, unless we take action and implement a functioning ticketing system, utilise technology to assist in the crime fight, and fix our ailing justice system, then all those pledges will evaporate. Because if the supporting infrastructure and environment is not in place to support his intentions, then his fate will be the same as that of our economic and social development.

Jamaica, no problem… or land of lawlessness?

One of the best ways to be educated is to travel to other countries and see different environments in operation, as it teaches you not only new things, but also shows possibilities. For example, there have been reports of ancient tribes that have been locked away in the Amazon for decades and still live the same way they did 100 years ago.

Whenever I come back from overseas and land at Norman Manley International Airport, it is always a great feeling to touch down in the land of my birth, as I am sure many Jamaicans living overseas feel. However, after leaving the picturesque view of the Palisadoes strip, you find yourself quickly descending into the decay of our capital city.

The first thing that hits you is the run-down infrastructure; then moving along Windward Road and Mountain View Avenue, you notice not only further decay, but also the indiscipline on the roads, where the police and government have ceded control to the taxis and buses.

As you drive further into the city, going either through downtown or New Kingston, you will meet the garbage pile-ups, numerous peddlers at the traffic lights, and taxis and buses weaving in and out of traffic, using their vehicles like “weapons of mass destruction”.

JAMAICA - NO ACCOUNTABILITY

As a resident Jamaican, I am all too familiar with the contrast between the orderly environment overseas and the morass of disorder that always greets me on my return to Jamaica. I suspect that a new visitor to the island must be wondering if there is any government in Jamaica. They may have heard the slogan 'Jamaica - No Problem', but I don't think they would have imagined that it meant 'Jamaica - No Accountability'.

So every morning, as I make the arduous journey to work through the traffic, I can't help but wonder, like the new visitor, if there is any governance in Jamaica. Or should I say, if there is any care about proper governance.

Taxis, which are easily identifiable now, drive illegally on the right-hand side of the road, and flash off any oncoming traffic with disgust because they dare to drive (legally) on the left-hand side of the road coming towards them. And don't even try to suggest that taxis should stay in the turning lane, for example when they are turning onto Hope Road from East King's House Road. After all, they have the right to do anything they want, and no government or police can stop them.

' Jamaica - No Problem' means that anyone can establish a small business on the sidewalk by just deciding that they will set up a stall, and to hell with pedestrians who try to make rightful use of the sidewalk. And woe betide any female driver who dares to reject the “services” of boys who flock to wipe their windscreens. And you'd better not offer them less than $100 for the “service” they have imposed on you.

If you are misled into believing that as a Jamaican you have any right to peace and quiet, you will be sorely disappointed, because the party promoters have a lot of clout and will play their music as loud as they want at any time of day or night. You are crazy to think that because you go to the United States and see where noise levels are controlled, you can come to Jamaica and think you deserve the same privilege.

In fact, if you have children who are too young to watch PG programmes or listen to X-rated lyrics, tough luck. They will just have to stay in their beds and listen to the lewd lyrics from the music being played two blocks away. Why do you think that you have the right to determine whether your child listens to expletives or abusive lyrics being played through loudspeakers at parties? That is the right of the promoter, and no government or policeman can stop that.

SQUATTING

And if people want to squat on government land and put up concrete structures, that is their right also, as long as they are delivering votes. It is no business of the government to tell anyone where they can build or if they want to operate a garage in a residential community.

If someone chooses to take unauthorised leave from work, the employer has no right to tell them they cannot, and if the employer dares to dismiss them for it, then they will just go to the IDT and put the employer in his place because he failed to follow a year-long process. No employer has any right to demand high levels of productivity from any worker, or they will be forced to pay monies which they were unable to earn because of low productivity.

And if you are ill-advised enough to sue someone for committing a crime, or because of abuse by any arm of the State, then you must suffer the high legal costs of having the matter adjourned repeatedly, and become familiar with the comatose justice system, because you will be in court for at least five years.

After five years, if the judge thinks you have suffered long enough and awards you any costs, especially against the State, you had better bequeath the amount to your grandchildren, because you will not see any payment in the rest of your time on Earth.

Does anyone think I am exaggerating? I am no crime expert, but how do we expect to solve crime and get economic and social development in the kind of system I have outlined above? Sadly, this is Jamaica's reality - not a fictional place.

Year after year, the Global Competitiveness Report tells us that crime and bureaucracy are the two main impediments to economic growth, which is essential for social development, but instead of addressing the root cause of disorder and indiscipline, we tinker around the edges while undermining our true potential as a nation.