Tag: PSOJ

Private Sector weighs in on Jamaica’s toxic political atmosphere

August 3, 2023

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has issued a press release calling for respect and decency in public life. Indeed, it feels like “I can do and say exactly what I feel like.” The political atmosphere is toxic. I, for one, feel like covering my ears and shouting “Be quiet, children!” And these are the “honourable” people we should vote for? … More Private Sector weighs in on Jamaica’s toxic political atmosphere

Jamaica Securities Dealers Association responds to major fraud investigation

January 18, 2023

What’s the date today? Why, it’s only January 17 – just a little over two weeks into 2023. And yet… The joyful, optimistic cries of “Happy New Year!” have frozen on our lips – and not only because of the recent cold front over the island. We have been stunned by two pieces of news: … More Jamaica Securities Dealers Association responds to major fraud investigation

No place for racism in our politics, says Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica

November 9, 2022

The current atmosphere, both in Jamaica and elsewhere, encourages me to think that we have to continuously fight against the negative, the dark, and the downright destructive. The struggle is real! Everald Warmington is a Member of Parliament for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Minister Without Portfolio responsible for Works in the Ministry … More No place for racism in our politics, says Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica

Political will and maturity required for a consensus on crime in Jamaica

September 5, 2022

The number of murders in Jamaica passed the 1,000 mark for the year recently (can you imagine). It is always a grim milestone. We measure our “crime problem” by the number of lives lost – men, women and children – every year. They are not numbers. They are grandmothers. They are schoolchildren. They are abused … More Political will and maturity required for a consensus on crime in Jamaica

Why are so many Jamaicans still dying on our roads?

March 20, 2022

We love roads. We are continuously building new ones. More concrete, oil consumption, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution are definitely the way to go, it appears. The mindset seems to be: Let’s try to get from A to B faster! It’s so important to get from, say, Kingston to Mandeville in an hour rather … More Why are so many Jamaicans still dying on our roads?

Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

January 29, 2022

Dr. Lucien Jones is Vice Chair and Convenor of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Dr. Jones must sometimes feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, on the terrible numbers of Jamaicans (close to 500 last year!) killed on our roads – but he never gives … More Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

January 22, 2022

Today, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) expressed concern in a press release today about what seems to be a volte face by the Prime Minister on the matter of mining permits for the Bengal area of St. Ann (Puerto Bueno or Dry Harbour Mountain), which for a while appeared to have been abandoned … More Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

States of Public Emergency in Jamaica: For or against, what to do now?

November 26, 2021

I wrote recently for Global Voices about the imposition of States of Public Emergency (SOPEs) in no less than seven police divisions across the island on November 14, in light of a tremendous spike in our murder rate. Well, the SOPEs will end this weekend, after just two weeks. After hours of debate, the Upper … More States of Public Emergency in Jamaica: For or against, what to do now?

Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships

October 19, 2021

I have been thinking a lot about peace recently, and my thoughts will be in a follow-up post – including the critical role that our young people can and will play. I particularly like the United Nations’ alliterative theme for UN Day this year – all those “P”s! In Jamaica, as almost everywhere else, climate … More Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships

PSOJ urges a unified approach in the vaccination effort

October 15, 2021

The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) is sounding a little exasperated, and who can blame them? I attended a press briefing by the Ministry of Health and Wellness this evening (surprisingly, very poorly attended by the media), and came away with the feeling that we are plodding along, doing more of the same – … More PSOJ urges a unified approach in the vaccination effort