Gov't will dismantle 'unnecessary bureaucracy' - PM

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness on Wednesday declared that his administration is determined to dismantle what he called unnecessary bureaucracy and regulations in government.

 

He argued that bureaucratic red tape has been hampering his administration in its quest to accelerate government programmes.

 

"You know, we have gotten caught into this culture of analysis paralysis. Yes. And there are those who will seek to say that you are corrupt, that you are trying to circumvent procedures. But what they really want to do is to hide behind a wall of circuitous regulation that leads to nowhere. And in my mind, that is the corruption. It has no bearing on whether or not things are delivered quickly, whether or not the farmers benefit, whether or not the customer is served, no benefit to them. And we are going to destroy that. We are going to break down that wall of unnecessary bureaucracy," he declared. 

 

Dr. Holness warned that the administration is contemplating a review of the importance and effectiveness of some government agencies. He indicated that there are sweeping changes on the horizon.

 

"Entities that have been formed and are on the public's budget year after year and can't show what they give to the public, those allocations must be questioned. There are many government entities that claim your taxes. They live only to serve themselves. When you ask them, 'Why I have to fill out this form? Why I have to do that? Why this?' They can't tell you. They just say, well, it's the law. And for those who are quick to be critical, just sit down and listen, because Jamaica is not the only country going through this," suggested the prime minister.