Hamilton

Please Mr Prime Minister, for God's sake, do not re-enter a borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - the conditions would re-enslave us. Despite what some may say or believe, you are our leader. We are all Jamaicans first, and if nothing else, we are a people of indomitable spirit. Now, therefore, is the time to tap into that resource.

The first thing you have to do, Sir, is level with us - if things are as bad as we believe they are, so that you have to contemplate re-joining the IMF - then say so. As Jamaicans we are only unselfish and compassionate in times of crisis e.g. after a hurricane - well, this is a 'before' the hurricane crisis.

Next order of business

The next order of business, starting on the road to recovery, is to generate employment. There are an estimated five million of us on this earth, (at home and abroad) and there is money right here in Jamaica. Just look around and you'll see it, not to mention what is in the diaspora that can enable us to buy our way out of our problems.

It is just that no government has yet devised a way to persuade those who have it, and to spare, to part with it for the greater good. Note, for example, that we will spend money to avoid paying taxes.

Well, if, as I believe, we are looking at survival now is the time for all Jamaicans to come to the aid of their country, and I am going to take a page out of Barack Obama's book and repeat a recommendation I made nearly 10 years ago. I urge you sir, to float a Government bond and invite every Jamaican in the diaspora to invest at least US$5 therein and for us at home at least J$500.

Bond purpose

The purpose of this bond is to rebuild the city of Kingston once known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', with stores, townhouses, apartments, restaurants, supermarkets and night clubs on our waterfront.

Now, Mr Prime Minister, this cannot, I'm afraid, be a Govern-ment undertaking - not even in the great United States can the Republicans be expected to co-operate with the efforts of the Democrats. The management of this fund must be made up of Jamaicans who possess the following attributes:

(a) they have already made it or are not looking to make more;

(b) they are of undoubted integrity and

(c) they are passionate about their country.

On December 19, 2000, under the patronage of Sir Howard Cooke, I invited the following leaders of business to a breakfast meeting at the Terra Nova, who all expressed support for such a proposal - Maurice Facey, James Moss-Solomon, Dr George Phillips, Beverley Lopez; Thalia Lyn, Ryland Campbell, Gazan Azan, Neville Blythe, Donna Duncan-Scott, Nancy Chatani, Chris Bicknell, Roy Johnson, Oliver Clarke, Robert Levy, Lester Spaulding, James Samuels and Morin Seymour. To those names I would add as possible selectees, Lascelles Chin, Earl Moore, Rita Humphries-Lewin, Betty-Anne Blaine, John Issa, Chris Zacca and Omar Azan, plus one representative from the Government and Opposition benches. Others will, of course, commend themselves to you.

Logical sales persons

As you well know, the blue-prints are already in existence, the Government has the power to acquire derelict property - compulsorily or otherwise. The worldwide euphoria that our athletes have generated would make them the logical sales persons to the world capitals of the idea. Once subscribers have seen what has been done with their initial investment, it will not be difficult to attract future commitments.

This little piece of soil we call home means something to every one of us no matter where we are scattered around this globe and if they are called upon to rebuild our capital city, not only will they respond, but they will desire no more return on their money than to see their city restored to its former glory and the knowledge that they played a part.

Come Mr Prime Minister, let us see the skyline of Kingston sprouting cranes all over and young able-bodied men waking up early, scurrying off to work on some construction site.

Howard Hamilton, QC, is the former Public Defender. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com