Tivoli Commission of Enquiry

The rebroadcast of the Tivoli Gardens Commission of Enquiry is an eye opener that shows a distrust and disassociation between two classes of people. On one hand, the commission includes  attorneys whose only interest is their own agenda of discrediting the statements of residents in this publicized forum. Then, there are the affected residents of Tivoli Gardens who are trying to defend their statements as best as they can. The problem is not only the way in which the attorneys pose their questions but also the condescending manner in badgering the residents if answers are not provided to the attorney’s satisfaction. The effect is that the residents quickly become annoyed since they realize that the attorneys’ disregard of their responses indicates a disinterest in their terrifying experiences. Of course, this disinterest causes not only frustration, but also some residents become uncomfortable and negatively react which in some cases becomes uncontrollable.  But then again, the arrogant attitude of some of these attorneys and  persons within the Jamaican society stems from their daily practices of ensuring separation from the masses such as providing and using separate lunch room facilities in the workplace, etc. Nevertheless, it is more important for the commission to realize that these residents of Tivoli Gardens only want to be heard and not spoken down to. The residents need to be treated with respect.

Leaders On Paper Only

They say they are managers

They say they are directors

They say they are leaders

Paper title leader

Their jobs are never advertised

An interview is not necessary

They are the only job candidate

Paper title leader

Their experience is not important

Their skills are not necessary

Their education is never questioned

Paper title leader

Prime minister connection

Government minister connection

Corporate connection

Family connection

Friend in high places connection

Paper title leader

Inexperienced practices

Frequent mistakes

Uncertain decisions

Challenging tasks

Unsatisfactory  results

Paper title leader

Dr. Joan Campbell - copyright 2014

Jamaica - Land Of Frustrating Government Red-Tape

Get ready to fight tooth and nail
to do transactions
Be prepared to jump over hurdles and through hoops
to accomplish transactions
Be prepared to climb mountains
to get a logical responses
Back and forth...forth and back
It's the system...the government system

Clearing a barrel?
Go up a top,
Go down bottom
Go back up top
Go back to bottom
Back and forth...forth and back
It's the system...the government system

Lose a car title
Go to the police,
Go to the insurance agency
Go to the fitness office
Write a letter
Tomorrow get ready for new procedures
Back and forth...forth and back
It's the system ...the government system

Publish a children's book
Send the book to American Ivy League universities
Receive immediate warm reactions
Send the book to the Jamaican Education Ministry
Nobody can account for the whereabouts of the book
Nobody knows the ministry's reactions

Nobody knows anything

Back and forth...forth and back

It's the system...the government system

Starting a business

Sending Items for the needy

Returning to reside in Jamaica

Making an investments

Importing items

Exporting Items

Red tape...bureaucracy

Incompetency...impersonal...unfriendly...uncaring...condescending

Back and forth...forth and back

It's the system...the government system

Dr. Joan Campbell - copyright 2014

Who Says Crime Doesn't Pays?

While growing up we always learn that crime doesn't pay. But, in Jamaica, there is no doubt that crime pays for those politicians who are getting away with crimes that an ordinary citizen would be immediately charged and serve lengthy jail time. Only in Jamaica.........................

A Day Of Poor Customer Service From Government Workers

At 9:00 am, a call was made to Tax Administration office to determine where license plates could be returned since the vehicle had not been operable for several years. "It's okay to go to any office" was the response from a phone representative, so the Portmore Revenue office was selected because of its close proximity. After approaching a service rep at the Portmore office, this was the response, "Sorry, we do not take license plates.. ..go to the Spanish Town or the Constant Spring office."??!! Nevertheless, the trek was made to the Spanish Town Island Revenue office, and it did not take long to speak to a representative. However, it would have been worth while waiting for another customer representative who would have been more courteous and could have patiently explained procedures to a novice who was unfamiliar with the system. This representative looked as if she had been working at the Spanish Town Tax office for ages, so it was presumed that she was knowledgeable. However,she is a perfect example of the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." In fact, the lack of communication was so poor that there was no knowledge when she completed the service since she said nothing. After innocently remaining at the counter, she had to eventually inform that the service was completed. Guess, she wanted to get to her next victim. But, before leaving, another question was asked and after pondering her response, it was later found to be totally inaccurate since it would have caused a lengthy process when there was a simpler method that was not communicated.  Next stop ..........the Caymanas Police Station  a/k/a Gregory Park Police Station. Making a report for a lost title at a  time the female constable was attending to her personal business caused her to be irritable, loud, and condescending. Never mind her obligation to work .......how dare anyone interrupt her from getting that special phone number to make that call on her cell phone. Frankly, she was downright rude and it is inconceivable how she is part of the police force...........but then again through history, this government body is not known to attract the best or brightest candidates.  Will the bad customer service reputation that is generally associated with Jamaican government workers ever change. Given the experiences today, there is little chance............we can only hope.

Government Travel Abuse

A perk for government ministers and political cronies who are given the gift of high level civil service positions is that they can fly for free on any airline courtesy of tax payers. They are allowed to board early, relax in their first class seats, and watch as tax payers pass through the first class cabin to the economy cabin. How ironic! It is customary to see government ministers and other leaders of statutory agencies sitting in this first class section. However, providing their entourage with first class seating is not how tax payers expect their moneys to be spent. Colin Campbell's entourage first class seating accommodations on March 21's flight from Miami demonstrates this travel expense misuse and would certainly not have occurred if the fares for his employees were coming out of his own pocket.  So, in a country that is experiencing high financial burden and citizens are asked to "tighten their belts", it is mind boggling to see such  action that not only shows hypocrisy but a lack of respect for tax payers.

Government Contributing To The Brain Drain?

It is customary for foreign private companies to recruit teachers to work in their countries. However the Jamaican government demonstrates that they have no qualms of contributing to the brain drain. The government’s classified education advertisement requests for 59 English language teachers to teach in China. Now, sending 59 of the best who make it through the selection process means that there will be 59 vacancies to teach a subject that requires experienced teachers. In their deal with China, did the government not consider that the high vacancies would mean that Jamaican students would be deprived of some of the best English Language educators who will be taking their talents elsewhere? What was this deal between the Chinese and the Jamaican governments in exchange for? It certainly could not be an exchange for Chinese Science teachers!!?? So, we continue to see the outcomes of sinister dealings between the Chinese and Jamaican governments.