On September 3, Jamaica, an island of about three million people, will decide to replace the locks or give back the keys and what party colour will be draped for at least four more years as voters contemplate countless economic issues.

The election bag

Because of concern amid COVID-19, voters, and party officials questioned the timing of the election, but prime minister Andrew Holness of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) seized the moment observing favourable numbers and hoping for another 4 years in office.

After the election whistle blew, both leaders, immediately activated a non-stop colour media bliss taunting progress or lack thereof.  

Whether Dr Peter Phillips, opposition leader of the People National Party (PNP) agrees with the election call, it is a delicate balance asking locals who have been neglected to purchase another ticket.  The reality is that both vessels with an upgraded soundtrack arguing better days are ahead while blaming the other are in the same murky water.

Is there a perfect colour for Jamaica’s governance?

This election simply may come down to not the ever changing manifestos to outdo the other side, but what side telling the truth or to a greater degree better at covering up the truth as the island battle for its soul, and good governance, or one single issue; “safety,” which is a public health problem.

Jamaica local politics typically operates like a contact sport where only the fittest survive. When this political colorful game is over, the economic strain will continue. COVID-19 blame game is going to get uglier at the cost of people’s lives.

Voters are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Many voters who lost hope and trust are more likely to stay home.  It is not because Jamaica can’t do better, but whose less tainted, or carries a permanent stain to continue navigating these ostentatious waters, roads and hills.

Hoping for a new blend of colour

After the election, one hopes that these political parties operate like primary colours where leaders can combine to produce a good portrait; consequently, political fighting makes it difficult to govern and paint a picture for a more promising future.

This political election will not severely reduce COVID-19 the next day, reduce crime; create affordable education, better medical care, or new necessary equipment to save lives.

Hopefully, after these colorful events, all people can find a combination of colors to positively renovate the nation as the region continues to navigate these rough tides. It will take more than party devotion because this beautiful island to begin to see hope over fear, fact over fiction.

The rhythms being played every election cycle may change, but same vinyl until the next side gets to select hoping to implement what they are now painting. However, but not every dancer will have a new and better canvas for all to dance.

An election is like art, it should create good memories. As this shore tries to pick an image for brighter days between this rock and hard place regardless of who have the next paint brush, they must remain hopeful until everyone can genuinely enjoy these recycled portraits, add their own color for both the country and personal prosperity.

Jamaicans must seek change from the bottom up, and not the other way around.  

About The Author

R.D. Miller has been a member of the criminal justice field for over 15 years. He holds an MBA and a M.S. in criminal justice and leadership. More of his works here.

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Dear Editor,

On the night of Saturday the 22^nd of August, several seine fishing vessels left from Carli Bay as they normally do to fish with their nets between 1 and 2 miles offshore. On Sunday morning the vessels returned ashore and both nets and vessels were covered in oil. This means that either the same oil that was in Cedros is now contaminating the Gulf of Paria or that this may be a different oil spill. Either way, this spells another Gulf of Paria disaster.

Heritage Petroleum Company Limited has dispatched cleanup crews even though they indicated that they are not responsible for the oil spill. The Heritage cleanup crews were land based and have only cleaned up the clumps of oil that had washed ashore in Cedros, but there are undetermined volumes of oil circulating in our maritime waters. Heritage has said that they have not confirmed the source of this newest spill.

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) once again call on the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) to respond and to fingerprint the oil in Carli Bay to identify the owner of the oil and to determine if this is the same oil that we reported in Cedros on the 21^st of August 2020. If it is, then we need to locate the source as well as put out warnings for fishermen because tens of thousands of dollars of losses would occur when oil contaminates their fishing nets and other equipment. It is not something that can be cleaned so once the net becomes contaminated it can no longer be used.

FFOS are calling on the Honorable Government to act responsibly and come to our rescue to coordinate this urgent action. This is a public warning for all Gulf of Paria fishermen, seafarers and marinas.

Will those responsible be held accountable? Who will compensate our fishermen who have suffered losses because of this spill?

Unless we protect our vulnerable communities from environmental crimes by the extractive industries, we will be sending an unpatriotic message to all of our people.   

Sincerely,

Gary Aboud

Corporate Secretary, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS)

Editorial Disclaimer

The Caribbean News Now welcomes letters to the editor of 400 words or less. The letters may be edited for clarity, legal ramifications, length or general taste at the editor’s discretion. We also reserve the right to refuse to publish submitted letters for the same reasons. All letters must be signed. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.

Letters published do not necessarily reflect the views of The Caribbean News Now, its Publisher, its staff or its advertisers.

The post Letter: Crude Oil Spill Reaches Carli Bay appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

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