SLB dragging its feet

I am a Jamaican living and working in Japan since July 2008. Before I left for Japan, I went to the office of the Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) to inquire about my balance, with the intention of clearing same before I went to the other side of the world.

I did not receive any information regarding the amount before I left. While in Japan, I have got in touch with the office twice to find out my balance in order to clear it, my latest attempt was at 2:00 a.m. Japan time (noon Jamaica time) on May 12. The loans officer told me I would be sent an email on the following Friday, May 15. I am still waiting at the time of writing (May 19).

For people who are complaining about non-payment, they are sure dragging their feet with those of us who want to pay.

If my picture appears in the newspaper as a delinquent, I am positive that I will be able to find proper legal representation on the grounds of defamation of character, even if it means starving myself to pay for it.

- IRRITATED

dracpoo2@yahoo.com

Gakuen Nishimachi, Nishi-Ku

Kobe, Japan

Beware of roadside work crew

Whenever work crews are dispatched to clean up the nation's roadways, motorists become subjected to the onslaught of stones and other debris that is hurled by the weed wackers that are often used without caution.

On Wednesday, May 20, I visited the Jose Marti High School and had the misfortune of such an experience. So my new theory is that maybe the potholes are no longer doing a thorough job wrecking our vehicles, so the authorities have now employed persons to do the finishing touches.

Who will take responsibility for this madness ? How long will this be allowed to continue?

- J Cunningham

blakklion83@hotmail.com

Portmore, St Catherine

Underappreciating agriculture

The underinvestment in agriculture and the general failure to appreciate its importance to national development have contributed greatly to our continued economic malaise, which has further contributed to the social decadence that besets the nation.

The 2009 first-quarter economic performance report by the Planning Institute of Jamaica that showed agriculture as the only sector registering growth in our economy should erase any lingering doubt as to its importance.

- Kevin K. O. Sangster

sangstek@msn.com