Tomorrow September 6, 2005, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is planning to lead an island wide demonstration to protest against the many price increases in recent months. The recent hike in rates for water, telephone, light, transportation and GCT has severely affected the people of Jamaica.
Opposition leader Mr. Bruce Golding told the Gleaner after an emergency meeting of its Central Executive yesterday, “We think the Government has gone deaf, we just don’t think they are listening to the people. This is one way to get them to listen.”
I don’t think there is any Jamaican today living in Jamaica who is not feeling the effects of the numerous recent price increases, except maybe the very rich. Whatever party you support there is only one water company, one light company, one transportation system, one land line Telephone Company and everyone is subjected to GCT. When you add these increases to the major hike in gas and chicken prices to name a few, we are heading for disaster.
Salaries on the other hand have remained constant. Already many persons are operating daily in the red. I know I am. Savings are being depleted, homes are being double and triple mortgaged. And we still have tomorrow to get through.
Many are fearful that tomorrows protest will turn violent and for that reason I’m sure will stay away. As Jamaicans we have a right to be heard. Some thing has to give. Many persons are frustrated at the felling of helplessness and hopelessness. The present Government was put there by the people of Jamaica and need to pay more attention to the consequences of there actions.
We need to start acting as Jamaicans first and PNP or JLP second. I pray that the Government can go back to the drawing board and find ways to roll back and/or cushion some of the hike in rates for all these essential services.
There is no reason why we can’t peacefully state our minds. I pray that all will go well tomorrow.
Nuff Love