In Utopia, where there are infinite resources available to politicians, ministers of government announce and initiate implementation of projects as they like without bothering to think of final cost or the ultimate impact on the economy.

Hence, you could have ministers announcing the building of an international airport for Duckenfield in St Thomas, which is within 30 miles of one of the region's finest international airports, the Norman Manley International. At that same time, we were advised that the Ken Jones Aerodrome would be upgraded to international status. Earl Richards of the Civil Aviation Department, in answer to queries from the media, pointed to the impracticality of the intended development of the Ken Jones Aerodrome because of its proximity to the mountain range. He was castigated for "speaking out of turn" as members of the political directorate and some party faithfuls opined that it was the sole prerogative of the minister to decide the fate of the Ken Jones airdrome.

Technical impediments

They clearly were concerned that someone dared to point out that there were technical impediments that made implementation of the contemplated Ken Jones development imprudent. The Ken Jones Aerodrome/would-be international airport would be a short distance by road from Norman Manley International and considerably shorter as the crow flies.

Then comes the upgrading of the Boscobel Aerodrome to international status. Boscobel is approximately mid-island on the north coast and would be a few miles by road from another of the region's finest international airports - the Sangster International. It must be noted that with Sangster at the western end of the island, and Manley being at the eastern end, commuters have a choice to access a top-class international airport at a distance not exceeding 70 miles by road. This is accentuated by the reality of the north coast highway offering good quality roadway from Montego Bay to Port Antonio.

Most rational people would think the existing international facilities are adequate at this time and for the immediate future, hence we would utilise our available resources in other areas other than the development of other international airports. But, they are wrong, as a minister and government apparently obsessed with the building of airports have announced and commenced the development of yet another airport at Vernamfield. This mid-island facility is purported to be developed to facilitate the handling of air cargo and house a training school for aircraft pilots and other aircraft technicians. We are being told of the vast amount of air cargo that will be handled there, and that part of that development will include the railway.

Can somebody tell me which entity located in the eastern section of Jamaica would choose to have its cargo routed to Vernamfield to be transported to Kingston for them to go to the railway station to collect it? Similarly, who on the western side of the island would choose a Vernamfield route option over a Montego Bay one? The Vernamfield Air Cargo Airport which I suspect will, in time, be renamed the Mike Henry International Airport, would be of convenience to Clarendon and portions of Manchester that are east of Spur Tree. Sadly, the areas that would find the use of Vernamfield advantageous simply do not have the volume of commerce that could justify such a development.

Living in their dream world

With ministers unrestrained by such shackles as parliamentary approval for conceived projects, there was no debate by Parliament on these airport projects and they will be implemented as the minister sees fit and then, finally, Parliament will tax us to pay for either the aborted thing or, worse, the recurrent losses that are sure to be sustained.

But, in this land of ours, where "we are too rich to be so poor and too blessed to be so stressed", there is no need to evaluate any concept to determine either its viability or the position of preference on the chart of priority. In this land of infinite resources, there is no need to prioritise as there is enough resource to permit every minister to have all he or she wants here and now. While our leaders are living in their dream world, in the real world the Jamaican economy will continue its downward slide.

Feedback may be sent to letters@gleanerjm.com