MIAMI – Prime Minister Bruce Golding outlined his Government’s focus to Jamaicans in South Florida at a recent town hall meeting last Friday (Mar. 28) the start of a three-day official visit to that community.
Speaking to nearly 400 nationals and friends of Jamaica at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, the Prime Minister said that Government would be aggressively pursuing tax collection from delinquent persons who owe into the system. Tax collection, he said, would help solve some of the nation’s economic problems.
South Florida community is the first official visit for the Prime Minister to any Diasporic community, since assuming office last September.
The PM said that Government was also forced to spend millions of dollars to soften the impact of rising prices on the poor. Citing the rising costs in oil, he also indicated that the decision was taken to find alternative sources of energy. Other methods were being explored such as the advantage of coal, bio-fuels, while securing long term supplies.
He also spoke of reducing the country’s dependency on imported foods. Using our farming capabilities, he emphasized that new farming methods would be applied using modern technology as well as targeting investors to explore food projects throughout the island. “We are too rich to be poor,” he added.
He said that presently there were about 365,000 persons living below the poverty level. Upcoming budget provisions would target assistance programs.
Regarding education, Mr. Golding spoke of his plans to strengthen early childhood education programs, and also eliminating the tuition fees for high school students.
In response to crime, he also said there were plans to strengthen the capacity of the security forces as well as building greater use of technology and equipment.
The Prime Minister also assured the audience that he would like to see the Diaspora movement become more structured and focused so that nationals can play a greater role in governmental decisions at home.
Referring to Jamaicans abroad as ‘our greatest ambassadors’, the Prime Minister Jamaica could not survive without its Diaspora.
While he was proud of the significant contribution to the island in remittances, the Prime Minister said that there was more that we can do than just token acknowledgement. He stressed that it was important to engage the experience, knowledge and skills of the Diaspora more effectively in tackling some of the problems that were faced at home.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the newly appointed Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Anthony Johnson and his wife.
In introducing the Prime Minister and the Ambassador, Consul General Ricardo Allicock boasted that this region be the first to host the visiting delegation as they interacted and exchanged thoughts with the Jamaican Diaspora.
A question and answer session followed.
On Saturday (Mar. 29), the Prime Minister and his delegation worshiped at the Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church with a 500 strong congregation, largely Jamaican nationals. Officiating pastor was Dr. Keith Harding, also a Jamaican national.
The Prime Minister ended his visit on Sunday (Mar. 30) when he was guest speaker at the second annual Community Service Awards ceremony of the Jamaica Consulate. Thirteen Jamaican nationals were honored for pioneering work, preservation of culture and extraordinary achievements.
Bruce Golding works the crowd at Nova University
Bruce Golding at Nova University
