The Editor, Sir:

A while ago The Gleaner editorial paid a short visit to the Government's Constituency Development Fund. It sniffed, scoffed and concluded that the project was no better than a political pork barrel and should be discarded forthwith. On that occasion I retorted that the argument was faulty and the opinion unjustified. I offered to provide evidence that the CDF was, in fact, a fine example of productive co-operation between the people and their repre-sentatives and I do so now.

The Constituency Development Fund, a brainchild of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, is founded on the firm belief that a nation's development begins at the local level; and also that the people of a constituency are best served when they and their representatives work together in making decisions related to community improvement and individual welfare.

Contrary to the thoughts of those assailed by doubts and suspicions, the programme is transparent, inclusive and cost-efficient. The Government, with an even hand, has made $40 million available for each constituency's direct development and not a cent of this reaches the hands or pockets of the members of Parliament. Every project must emanate from community consultation, must reflect real needs and must be properly developed, documented and submitted for evaluation to the CDF unit located in the Office of the Prime Minister. Following this, the submission goes to Parliament for approval before being sent to the principal finance officer at the OPM for disbursement.

Five-year development plan

The role of the members of Parliament is to draw up a five-year development plan for the constituency, drawing on the ideas of a Constituency Project Oversight Committee that includes representatives of community-based organisations, influential individuals and non-governmental agencies. This community participation is essential to the selection of a project; therefore, while the member of Parliament is the lead facilitator, the responsibility for selection and prioritisation of project ideas must be that of the constituents and not the MP.

Disbursement of money for community projects is subject to the scrutiny of the accountant general's office and other state agencies. Also, payment is made, not by private treaty with unregistered implementers, but only to recognised public agencies such as the National Works agency, the parish councils, RADA and HEART.

Are the objectives of the CDF enjoying the satisfaction and endorsement of those concerned? Indeed they are. For instance, the constituency of East Central St Catherine is already benefiting from two important community projects at Commodore and James Mountain.

High unemployment

East Central St Catherine is a constituency with a large percentage of unemployed and unskilled constituents. In order to help transform this situation, the MP Natalie Neita-Headley, and the constituents believe that training should be an integral component of their development plans. To this end, they have been setting up a number of buildings and community centres in strategic locations across the constituency to facilitate the training of individuals in a number of disciplines.

In partnership with the HEART/NTA, training will be offered for practical nursing, electrical installation, housekeeping, food service, restaurant servers, nail technology and agriculture. For this financial year, this project will get $1.5 million. Another project will get $500,000 and there will still be $38 million for other projects in the constituency.

In another example, Central Clarendon has over 60 basic schools, one infant school and four primary schools with infant departments. For the most part, community/private institutions do not receive government funding. They have difficulty finding housing and paying for upkeep and remuneration of teachers and other employees. Parents are required to contribute a fee, which, in most instances, cannot maintain these institutions. Given this scenario the constituents of Central Clarendon have expressed a need to assist the approximately 5,000 children in the three to six age cohorts; and the CDF has provided $9.25 million for 20 basic schools.

Individuals are not left out of the CDF. Five per cent of each constituency budget must be allocated to assistance for welfare and emergency needs such as funeral grants and indigent support. In these cases, the MP must account for the use of these grants by submitting expenditure statements accompanied by supporting vouchers to the relevant implementing agency.

The foregoing examples and many more acts spread over 60 constituencies should suggest to the objective observer that the CDF is no political pork barrel. Rather, it is a fine example of democracy in action, people participation in community development and good governance worthy of encouragement and support.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

Director of communications

Office of the Prime Minister