Restructure "unweildy" ministries, Golding urges Holness

Opposition Spokesman on Finance Mark Golding is urging Prime Minister Andrew Holness to restructure his government, starting with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation which he leads.

Mr. Golding, making his contribution to the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, suggested that the ministry has contributed to low growth instead of spurring economic activity.

He said the main problem is the size of the ministry, which has responsibility for more than 30 departments and agencies.

“Mr. Prime Minister, it simply has not worked; the unwieldy arrangements of this giant octopus of a ministry have failed to provide adequately focused ministerial attention to critical agencies of government,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, “it also lacks clear lines of accountability for the impediments that are retarding Jamaica’s economic growth."

Mr. Golding also voiced concerns about the consolidation of the agriculture portfolio with industry and commerce, characterizing that decision as ill conceived.

“Agriculture continues to under perform in the absence of any clear vision for rural development, while industry & commerce has failed to continue the focused drive on improving Jamaica’s international competitiveness,” he declared.

“Without these things being corrected we will not achieve the desired growth, and real prosperity will remain an illusion, to be pursued but never attained,” he said (borrowing part of a line from one of Bob Marley’s most famous songs, War).