The Editor, Sir:

So, Prime Minister Bruce Golding accompanied by the finance minister, Audley Shaw, have made their case for Jamaica's return to borrowing from the International Monetary Fund, sadly, without any coherent argument put forward by the Opposition for or against this move. Fortunately, for the general public, the benefit of technology helps us to understand in broad terms why this might be necessary.

My concern with the Government arose approximately two years ago. The question yet to be asked is: what Jamaica will look like in another 12 months, three years and five years from today? We all know what happened under the previous the administration but neither the current government nor the Jamaican people must be held to ransom by those actions or inactions. There are few areas worth looking at where setting some targets could keep the Government focused and give voters the opportunity to render judgement on progress and achievements.

Let's take three ministries:

AGRICULTURE

Minister Christopher Tufton has begun working with farmers in many areas to build on what the previous government started. While his work to date is commendable, we still need to see and hear what the strategic plan for the sector requires and intends to deliver with appropriate timescales. For example, we still don't know if Tufton wishes for Jamaicans to become the primary producers of the carbohydrates and protein they consume, or to overhaul the system of land use and ownership, something synonymous with wealthy countries.

EDUCATION

I have been impressed with the work being done by Andrew Holness and he has taken the first step in setting a target for reducing illiteracy among our youngsters. I do believe that a more radical approach is required for reducing illiteracy among adults and this should be fast-tracked to complement our economic recovery whenever that time comes. Similarly, we want to know what the education ministry hopes to achieve in the next year, three years, etc.

TRANSPORT AND WORKS

I consider this an area with great potential for change aided by education and technology. However, the minister hasn't told the country of anything he hopes to achieve that will fundamentally change the way we view transportation. Too often in Jamaica, politicians are allowed a free ride from one election to the next when emotions become the leading indicator of support and re-election.

It is obvious that where there is a deadline, the Government is pressured to act and people must demand that the Opposition, whose members also collect a salary, become constructive and active participants. To date, the two biggest potential savings to the taxpayer are the privatisation of Air Jamaica and sugar factories. Albeit these two efforts have been fraught with delays, we can observe, criticise or praise where necessary.

I believe that ministers who fail to set challenging targets usually fail to make the real tough changes required to make the lives of Jamaicans better.

I am, etc.,

GARNETT WAITE

garnett.waite@gmail.com