Stop selling out our Jamaica

THE EDITOR, Sir: I HAVE sat for the last few days watching my production workers twiddle their thumbs as critical raw material needed for my production process sits on the wharf, as truckers wait patiently to get these containers pulled.

I sat and watched today as my staff loaded a container to be exported, to earn needed foreign exchange for this country, having this highest possibility of delay because of the backlog that has been created by Kingston Freeport Terminal. I have always been outspoken when it comes to the good of this country and I have always spoken against our divesting our birthright. Since our Independence, we seem bent on giving it back to new colonial masters. I watch as we divest airlines, government manufacturing plants, energy providers and communications the lifeblood of our existence. And this has been done by successive governments. For the life of me, I cannot understand the need to give up what is ours!

The situation at the port, as I understand it, is due, in part, to a change in the operating system and the concentration of resources on trans-shipment containers at the domestic containers. Putting transshipment ahead of domestic operations, that I might add earns the Government of Jamaica revenue, is an act of sabotage and selfishness on the part of the management of Kingston Freeport Terminal.

I beseech that we hold our country’s property safe and secure. I beseech we take a page out of the books of other sovereign nations, where you cannot even own land in their country unless you are a citizen. You are allowed to lease, but not own. Why are we not looking at options like this, if the Government feels it needs to reduce it operational costs? Why sell?

Why divest to our detriment? Where is the vision to protect the assets of future generations?

I am weary and tired and my voice feels weak as I see our pride being sold for a penny. DOREEN FRANKSON Managing Director EdgeChem Jamaica Limited