The establishment of the Economic Advisory Board is a good move by the new government. Any country that is really serious about development needs to have such an entity to chart a way forward. In the past there were too many haphazard policies towards sustainable development.
We were busy building hospitals, box drains, office buildings, skylines all over the place. Nobody put the infrastructure into perspective. It was a case of "let's do more than them" attitude. In the inordinate haste we opened half-ready buildings which were far from commissioning. In short it was a publicity stunt.
With this advisory board there is an attempt to bring sanity to all the madness. The Planning Minister ought to be a member of the Board. We do not want both entities out of sync. So Camille Robinson�Regis must be on it.
If one looks at the economic development of both Singapore and Dubai they started with economic boards to chart the way. Both countries relied heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI).
Tax exemptions, honest and stable government were the hallmarks of their development.
We too can invite FDI to our shores. We need to make certain changes very fast.
Government cannot afford to create a welfare state. Many people are eating off the fat of the country.
We cannot talk about affordable housing when the government is supporting mortgages to the tune of $1.2 million.
Let recipients of those mortgages go to the open market. We should be supporting families whose income do not exceed $10,000.
We are not obligated to provide jobs for contractors. Let them seek jobs outside of our Republic. Sporadic development projects are draining the Treasury at no benefit to the average citizen.
We should take a time out on projects in this country. Everything has skyrocketed. A preschool costs $20 million to construct when that figure could build four. We need to stop the madness.
The Economic Advisory Board would help to transform this country.
John Jessamy
Fyzabad