It is amazing to see what has been happening in Jamaica. I
continue to lash out on the Westminster system that I consider as a plague to
Jamaica. Only in Jamaica we have people who are not qualified for a position,
leading that position. As such, I am going to examine the top five worst
performing government ministers in Jamaica. Please note carefully, this list is based on my personal
opinion, therefore it is subjected to change. As such it may differ according to persons.
#5 Peter Bunting
According to JIS “The Hon. Peter Buntingwas appointed Minister of National Security on January 6, 2012. Since his appointment he has embarked on a strategic programme of policy reform at the ministry to address Jamaica’s national security challenges.”
He is a man that was heavily criticised for his ‘divine
intervention concept’. He has a plan, he has employed community policing
strategies and we see that the crime rate has been reduced last year. However,
is he fit for the Job? I think not. I understand that we have a lack of
resources, but the crime rate since this year is alarming. He has failed to
give Jamaicans that assurance of a safe Jamaica. More needs to be done, and he
has not fulfilled the role effectively because clearly the evidence points
otherwise.
#4 Anthony Hylton
He is the minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce. He
was the one who is responsible for the development of logistics in Jamaica. In
his Sectorial Speech of 2011, he spoke adamantly about the logistics hub and
his plan about revenue optimization, jobs, and opportunities from this venture.
However, we are yet to know the progress about that venture. His portfolio is
critical to the development of Jamaica, significant with respect to growth. He has
failed to give any substantive report on all the initiatives that he promised
years ago. Some has not even started. He has failed miserably to be effective
in his portfolio
#3 Noel Arscott
He is the minister of Local Government and Community
Development. Time and time again, columnists have lashed out on him. The local
government is in shambles. Look at our roads, lack of street lights, lack of
infrastructure and the recent Riverton controversy with Jennifer Edwards speaks
volumes. “I cannot understand Noel Arscott. Neither, I suspect, can Noel
Arscott, at times, understand himself. With three years logged at the helm of
the local government ministry, Arscott appears no closer to finding his best
stride as the most accountable individual in the ministry or, indeed, as a
member of the most powerful decision-making body in this country. Arscott comes
across as a man who's deathly afraid of his own ideas, to the extent that he
forbids himself from generating any. This lack of confidence in himself renders
Arscott incapable of being assertive and forceful in his role as minister, and
makes him a prisoner to the ideas and suggestions of advisers and consultants,
who take advantage of the fact that they have a Cabinet minister who they can manipulate.
Puppet on a string is what Ken Boothe would call him” (George Davis, Gleaner
Columnist, March 18, 2015)
#2 Phillip Paulwell
He is the minster of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining.
To list out all the things that this guy has done since he has been in that
office is not feasible. But just to make a reference to his handling of the EWI
bidding process is enough to capture his incompetence as a government minister.
Following that controversy. Jamaica was calling for his resignation. Yet being
the Prime Minister that she is, we know she would not sack Philip “youth
exuberance” Paulwell for what he did. He puts Jamaica’s integrity into question
within the international community. To get a detailed piece on his failure just
look up Garfield Higgins Column “What else must Paulwell do wrong?”
#1 Dr. Fenton Ferguson
Dr. Fenton Ferguson is the Minister of Health. Without a
doubt, he is worst performing minister in Jamaica. Shall is also say that worst
is an understatement? His handling of the ChickV speaks volume to his failure
as a minister. He is the only minister that has a record call for his
resignation from John public. Recent statements by the Jamaica Medical Doctors’
Association President Dr. Alfred Dawes are a disgrace. “PRESIDENT of the
Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association (JMDA) Dr Alfred Dawes has charged that
medical doctors are being given 'scandal bags' instead of surgical aprons to do
their work in operating theatres in the ailing public-health system that is
pleading for much-needed attention. And if that were not enough, Dawes charged
that operating theatres are anything but sterile in an environment that is
teeming with fung.” (The Gleaner, May 2, 2015).
Will they improve? I don’t know, what say you?
