Prime Minister Andrew Holness
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Attorney Kenyatta Powell
Attorney-at-law Kenyatta Powell believes Prime Minister Andrew Holness's presentation during the Budget Debate on Thursday was effective in injecting hope into the society.
Among other things, Mr. Holness announced the discontinuation of measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), beginning today (Friday, March 18).
Giving his assessment of the Prime Minister's address, Mr. Powell argued that the lifting of the measures was in recognition of the reality that Jamaicans had long moved on from COVID-19 and were paying limited attention to the protocols.
Apart from lifting measures under the DRMA, Mr. Holness announced changes to the National Housing Trust (NHT), which will now allow up to three contributors to apply for a two-bedroom or larger housing unit, in addition to other benefits.
For Mr. Powell, these reforms at the NHT "to allow for benefits to take a greater account of actual needs...was a very good and a very interesting way to go".
"Also, the announcement about possibly revitalizing certain depressed areas in our inner city with state-directed, state-financed housing solutions - that I also found interesting, and I think that could be a game changer," he added.
Not satisfied
However, Mr. Powell said environmentalists are not satisfied with the announcement that the Cockpit Country is now officially a protected area by law.
He said the main concern relates to the boundary.
"That issue of the boundary is critically important to where is the protected area and where would mining be allowed. So, I mean, in a way, the question has been settled, the lease has been granted. The Prime Minister has announced rather specific areas that's (sic) being protected, but I don't think that those of us who have had issues with the prospect of mining in the Cockpit Country would be satisfied with that," he said while speaking Friday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.
Delay tactic
Meanwhile, Mr. Powell said there is no need for an advisory committee to examine the issue of Jamaica moving away from the British monarchy and becoming a republic.
He said after years of discussion, this is a delay tactic.
Speaking in the Budget Debate on Thursday, Prime Minister Holness said he will name an advisory committee to examine the issue, after which the question would be put to Jamaicans in a referendum.
Mr. Holness did not give a timeline for setting up of the committee or the referendum.
'Insulting'
Mr. Powell has also described as "insulting" the Prime Minister's announcement that Cabinet ministers who were seen at a recent album launch without masks will be fined $100,000 each.
Mr. Holness said the money will go toward a charity or to help with the defence of people charged with breaching the Disaster Risk Management Act.
However, Mr. Powell believes the announcement was the black mark of the Prime Minister's presentation.
Calling the move "ridiculous", the attorney pointed out that "there is a specific process that needs to be followed" when someone breaks the law.
"If you or I find ourselves in breach of the protocols, we are liable to be arrested," he argued. "I don't know why [Mr. Holness] would do something like that. I think he would have been better served by not saying anything at all," said Mr. Powell.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang and Minister without portfolio Floyd Green were among members of the government seen without masks at the event.
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