Kudos and challenges for Jamaica

Excerpt from Observer column for MON 23 SEPT 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jamaica can be proud that we have been able to step out from under the wing of the IMF on stronger legs after a relationship which started in 2013 when the country entered into a four-year US$932-million Extended Fund Facility (EFF), followed by a US$1.6-billion Precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (PSBA) which ends in November of this year.

Former IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde

Former IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde addressed the Jamaica House Press Conference via video last Wednesday: “Through two programmes, two different administrations with very strong commitment, you have managed to actually create jobs, to reduce the unemployment level to the lowest ever, you've reduced debt by 50 percentage points of gross domestic product (GDP), you've managed to stabilize inflation and you've managed to accumulate reserves.”

She tweeted: “Congratulations @AndrewHolnessJM and #Jamaica for a successful program that has helped the Jamaican people. Jamaica’s achievements are not only in the sound economic policies, but due to their own creativity. @CentralBankJA used reggae to explain inflation targeting.”

Of note is the restraint shown by civil servants, nurses, teachers and the security forces as Government appealed for patience in our effort to stay on plan.

Keith Duncan, EPOC Chairman

Ms Lagarde commended the work of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) formed in 2013 and co-chaired first by Richard Byles and the then Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter. Byles was succeeded by financier Keith Duncan in 2016, and Duncan continues as the sole Chair of an expanded EPOC which will continue its oversight of Jamaica’s economic programme after the end of the PSBA.

In welcoming members of civil society to EPOC at the signing of an MOU with Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke last month, Duncan noted, “We also believe that it is extremely important that civil society has a voice in Jamaica's economic programme that we are plugged in, that we understand where we are in this programme, what our targets are, where are we going as a country, as we move towards economic independence.”

Of course, this is no time for Jamaica to relax. Our number one problem is crime.  We can debate the State of Emergency (SOE) endlessly but the fact is, we have to do something radical to stem this horrible loss of lives until we can develop the social programmes to ensure that our youth at risk are educated and job ready. What produces these cold-blooded gunmen, these out-of-control taxi drivers and these foul-mouthed harassers and windshield wipers? There are myriad studies; hopefully we can arrive at answers and solutions soon.

Criminal activity and careless road users are stressing our health system. Surgeries have to be postponed, blood supply runs low because of the endless stream of casualties arriving at our various emergency rooms throughout the country.  Families are plunged into poverty with the tragic loss of their breadwinners, affecting children’s education and living conditions. We recently met a once bright high school student whose marks suddenly fell and whose enthusiasm for learning disappeared.  We learned that she had lost her caring father to gunmen and was in a state of prolonged grief, despite the counselling being offered.

And so, we see that crime is holding us back on many fronts, though we must acknowledge the efforts being made. Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson and JDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rocky Meade are outstanding leaders. The PSOJ initiative Crime Stop, which celebrated its 30^th Anniversary this past weekend has been able to give sizeable rewards, sponsored by corporate Jamaica. Neighbourhood watch groups have been able to keep crime down in communities.

We applaud the ‘Liv Gud’ campaign though we are a bit puzzled at the spelling – not sure why we could not simply call it ‘Live Good’. ‘Jamaica Moves’ works just fine. Now to engage Jamaicans at school, work and in communities to act out this call, showing more respect, care and compassion. 

The IMF’s stamp of approval is tempered by sober advice: “Nonetheless, to fully achieve Jamaica’s considerable potential will require renewed attention to supply side reforms to address crime, support agricultural resilience, and invest in education and healthcare. The government is also committed to expanding social assistance for those in need through better coverage of the PATH program and support for the elderly.”

Making that magic work for all Jamaicans

Excerpt from Observer column published 29 July, 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

In this Emancipation Week, we give thanks for Jamaica’s beauty, bounty and talent, and the work being put in to share that Jamaican magic with our humble folk, especially women and the disabled.

As we surveyed the huge crowd packed in the Catherine Hall location for Sumfest and listened to the ringing voices of our Jamaican stars, we felt the magic of this country which we are blessed to call home. The next morning, we enjoyed the famous Pelican Grill Jamaican breakfast and drove along the coast to Negril, passing the shaded roadway flanked by the famous Tryall estate, and Round Hill, the quaint Lucea Townhall, the blue sea and sky. 

Crowds at Reggae Sumfest - Jamaica Observer photo

Oh yes, we slowed and rolled our windows down for the young soldiers at the SOE check points.  Our taxi man Michael who had taken us to Sumfest the night before said he welcomed the SOE. “People complain about the early closing hours, but if you organise yourself you can manage alright,” he said.  “This is cutting down crime, so we have to live with it.”

Sumfest brought a windfall for hotels, restaurants, taxis and the folks who had booths and sidewalk jerk offering. Passing Priory on our way back to Kingston, we were caught in a traffic jam, only to discover that it was the attraction of ‘Pudding Man’ with his long row of dutch pots on coal stoves and topped with more live coals – “Hell a top, hell a bottom, alleluia in the middle”. His puddings have a growing number of fans and trust me, that pumpkin pudding could hold its own on a dessert plate in the finest restaurant.

However, vendors in craft markets continue to complain to reporters that business is slow and the Fern Gully stalls are now being bypassed. Clearly, there needs to be other opportunities for these folks.  I remember the exquisite embroidered linens from the Allsides project – if only this could be restarted so that we can produce unique, easy-to-pack gifts for our visitors. I had heard about a basket weaving project sometime ago but the only baskets I see in our home goods stores are imported.  A few Jamaican online stores are gaining traction – hopefully they will reach out to these vendors.

My friend Clover Baker Brown discovered a skin care product manufactured by Eden Gardens, and when she mentioned to colleagues that she was going to place an order online, she ended up having to order a whole case.  Café Blue has been offering delicious packages of brittle in various flavours – a great favourite to take overseas. Ann Smith and Luciene Morrison created their popular Anilu pudding and cake mixes which are gaining in the export market.  We are blessed with the best flavours the opportunities are endless.

Despite the storm, #BahamasStrong

Bahamas Relief: Jean Lowrie-Chin, Executive Chair of PROCommpresents a cheque for US$3,800 to Food for the Poor Jamaica Chair Andrew Mahfood for rebuilding efforts in the Bahamas. Members of Team PROComm are (from left) Anita Chin, Yvonne Piper, Board Director Hubert Chin, Errol Howlett, Noel Chin, Vaughn Gray, Shana Lynch, and Sandra Lowrie. The funds had been earmarked to build a third Food for the Poor House in commemoration of the company’s 40th Anniversary. The other two Food for the Poor houses sponsored by PROComm were built in Jamaica and Haiti.

Observer column published 16 September 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Last week we cast our minds back to September 12, 1988 the day that Category 3 Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica, lingering over us for about six hours.  We remember the howling wind, tearing around our yard like a prehistoric creature, destroying our trees and threatening our roof. It felt like an eternity. How, we are asking ourselves, could anyone imagine that the Category 5+ Hurricane Dorian would sit stubbornly over Northern Bahamas for over a day. We were overcome with a sense of helplessness when we saw the grim reports, those islands being literally shredded by this monster system.

Bahamian Marion Bethel wrote from the Bahamas during the ordeal: “We are all in shock, numb & devastated at the horrific impact on Abaco from Dorian! As I wrote this it is moving at 1 mile per hour over Grand Bahama, just hovering & wreaking havoc everywhere!  Persons are stranded in homes with rising tides right now!  .. We’re all in wait & watch mode as there is nothing we can do at this time!! Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest!! This monstrous hurricane a CAT 5-6 moving with wind speed of 185-200 miles plus per hour has savaged & continues to pummel the northern islands!  The strongest hurricane to date in this part of the hemisphere, we’re told!!”

Thank goodness for the strength of that country, whose islands spared by the hurricane could immediately set up relief operations, partnering with regional and international organisations to rescue, shelter and feed some 70,000 families left homeless. Our friend and perennial volunteer Ann Marie Casserly kept us up to date with releases from the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), detailing their planning which included the enrolment of displaced students ages 4 to 19. They were invited “to seek enrolment at one of the government schools .. in any of the unaffected family islands” and were offered medical screening, uniform and lunch assistance, and referrals for counselling services.

Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen who had with his team prepared thousands of meals for survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, partnered with scores of Bahamian volunteers to distribute food and water. The nimble Bahamians rightfully used the hashtag #BahamasStrong as they carried out non-stop relief efforts.

Jamaica stepped forward early, with our own Adam Stewart linking his Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts International to other tourism concerns who came on board to support this beautiful Caribbean destination. For what will be extensive reconstruction efforts, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with Food for the Poor, an organisation which has years of experience in the fast roll-out of housing solutions in 16 Caribbean countries. 

As they did after the massive Haiti earthquake, members of the Jamaica Defence Force have been dispatched to assist in relief efforts.  I remember being told that in the Haiti operation, it was our JDF soldiers who had fast-tracked the efficient distribution of relief supplies. Canadian High Commissioner Laurie Peters responded swiftly to the JDF’s request for flight support and so the Canadian Air Force has been making multiple trips, taking our soldiers to the hardest hit areas in the Bahamas.

Wake-up call for Jamaica

The destruction wrought by Hurricane Dorian is a wake-up call for Jamaica.  Last week’s flooding after two hours of rain is a warning that we are far from prepared for a big weather event. Let us be clear that the poor folks packed tight in some garrison areas have no sanitary conveniences and a garbage collection problem, so their garbage ends up in gullies.  We cannot be telling people ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ when we have them living in sub-human conditions. What would become of their frail shacks and shaky old tenement buildings if they were hit by a major system? Further, there are hotel workers living in such circumstances. How will our tourism industry recover if we don’t plan for their safety ahead of time?

Jamaica has no shortage of goodwill and brain power, but we need to synergize our planning. With efficient engagement among the various ministries and multi-lateral organisations, our country can become a model of resilience.