Jamaica Poised for Economic Growth - Portland in Focus

Jamaica's Economic Team

Obstacles to Jamaica’s growth and job creation are numerous and severe. In order for Jamaica's economy to grow the Government must address crime, the cost and availability of credit, tax compliance costs, unreliable and expensive electricity, and a large informal economy. The large size of the public sector has also stifled private sector dynamism and places too much emphasis on government as the engine of growth and employment.

For the first time in many years latest assessment of the Jamaican economy, it is projecting economic growth at 1.7 per cent this fiscal year and that the government will therefore need to implement bold structural reforms to unleash the island’s potential.

Portland Parish Jamaica

Some areas of the Jamaican Economy poised for immediate growth includes Tourism, technology and renewable energy. The Parish of Portland with unexposed tourist attractions and its natural beauty with some private sector investment could see up to 3% growth in the next 2 years. Hindrance to unleashing the parishes potential growth includes poor condition of infrastructure including its main roads and arterial roads all across Eastern Portland, existing unpaired damages to the Blue Lagoon Bar, Restaurant and gift shop, the inaccessibility to Nonsuch Caves, poor conditions of access roads to winnifred Beach and non-existent public facilities.

These are just some of the existing opportunities in Portland the fact is some infrastructure does exist around these public facilities but are run down because of neglect. Some of Jamaicas most beautiful beaches, villas, beach villas and B&B including the Tropical Lagoon Resort overlooking the Blue Lagoon. 

Stupid Hackers! Common Criminals, Fight Back!

Do not let Hackers stop your internet engagement.

My family and friends were subjected to the letter below after one of my e-mail addresses  was hacked, the good thing is most of my friends and family are smart people and wouldn't fall for such a cheap scam. Am sure some thought of all the probabilities and possibilities and were scared for the moment. 

The good thing am always 8-10 hours from communication with most of my friends acquaintances and others with whom I am in contact on a regular basis. The thing to be aware of is, most of us us operate on the internet daily as I do weather at home or at work and today by our cell phone and other devices. 

Do not allow Hackers to scare from getting on your computer or any of these devices that make us more accessible to our friends, our family and cause us to make that extra trip to the Bank or to a department store to pay a Bill because of these common thieves who call themselves Hackers.

The letter below does not represent how I operate as well as its fraught with  erroneous assumptions so my close friends and family took the necessary steps and were assured I was fine.

                                           ------------------------------------------------------

copy of letter circulated to contacts by hackers.

Hello,

I'm sorry I didn't inform you about my traveling,am writing this with tears in my eyes, my family and i came down here to Manila, Philippines for a short vacation and got mugged at gun point last night at the park of the hotel where we lodged...All cash,credit cards and cell were stolen off me...I've been to the embassy and the Police here but they're not helping issues at all.

But the good thing is that we still have our passport,our flight leaves today and I'm having problems settling the hotel bills...The hotel manager won't let us leave until i settle the hotel bills , all we need is {$2,500} but anything you could assist with now be helpful now... Am freaked out right now Please reply and let me if can you have the money wire to me through western union I'll surely get the money back to you in couple of days.

                                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------

• If you're on the internet have as many friend you want, do not allow the fear of hacking to limit your use of the internet.
• You are already on the internet, having an e-mail address only allow you to see what everyone else knows about you.
• The more friends and family you are connected on the internet is the quicker some one will be alerted in an emergency, the more likely you will have a birthday wish and you will never feel alone.
• Do not let Hackers stop your internet engagement fight back, be smart do not fill out solicitations from companies you cannot verify,
• Do not share your password and personal information with anyone.
• If you have to enter  your social Security Number  on line only do so if its encrypted. 
• get a reliable Anti Virus protection to protect your computer these we know are not 100% fool proof but will reduce the damage if your system is attacked.

Voting is a Right. Not a Crime!

Voting is a Right

Clear channel has decided to rescind the rental of its Billboards to an unnamed family after pressure from Bloggerythm and numerous other Publications Clear Channel has decided to do the right thing releasing this statement:-

In the wake of complaints that the billboards’ true purpose was to intimidate minority voters from casting fully legal votes, the billboards are now being pulled down. Clear Channel Outdoor, which rented the billboard space to an unnamed family foundation, explained that they decided to remove the billboards because they “violate our policy of not accepting anonymous political ads.” Clear Channel also agreed to donate 10 billboards that will display a counter-message clarifying that voting is a right and not a crime:

We have decided not to remove our original Blog but to acknowledge the actions taken by Clear channel attempting to right a wrong.

Clear Channel Billboard

This was one of the original Clear Channel billboard, residents and citizens of 3 Stated faced extreme intimidation with the existence of these Billboards. We applaud Clear channel for doing the right thing and hope the Citizens and voters of the communities affected feel some vindication as a result of these actions by Clear Channel.

Jamaica"s 9th Prime Minister must confront crime as #1 issue.

Hon Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Today when Andrew Holness takes the oath of Office at Kings House and become her 9th Prime Minister, This should send a signal to those who have fought for freedom, won Freedom and those still fighting for Freedom it is Possible not easy but Possible.

One of the responsibility that has eluded us a nation since Independence is citizens of Jamaica does not see a personal responsibility in our nation future and this must be addressed. I did not know I had this  personal responsibility until later in life witnessing the release of Nelson Mandela from Prison. The understanding  that Nelson  Mandela at some point of his life made the conscious decision that some one had to make this sacrifice, he did, Black People in South Africa and the wider continent of Africa needed to be free. Nelson Mandela knew that took personal responsibility giving up what he thought was everything, making a massive sacrifice. Every Citizen of Jamaica must be reminded, personal Sacrifice matters.

At Independence Jamaican"s did not either understand or adapt the the idea that for the success of our young Nation to succeed this responsibility belong to every Citizen. After 50 years of Independence as citizens we still struggle with the that fact. Depending on our leaders Prime Ministers, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and and others elected to lead bears these responsibilities.

Today opens a new Chapter in the future of Jamaica, a young 39 year old takes the daunting task of leading this Nation. This is a most difficult time for most nations across the world stricken in financial turmoil that has caused Economic chaos and civil unrest as a result the gap between the rich and poor widens. In Europe and the United States Conservative Governments see the removal of safety nets to the Poor, children, students and elderly as the answer to the world financial woes if this should continue it would create further civil unrest. This is not be the case because these safety nets were brought about at times when countries were going through the same circumstances as they are now and