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with Leighton Levy
There have been lots going on with regard to the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP). Each day it seems something new is unearthed or some new allegation is made that has transformed the whole thing into one major drama.
So far, Minister of Transport Mike Henry has resigned, Patrick Wong from the National Works Agency has resigned, and one gets the feeling that more resignations will follow suit as accusations have been flying fast and furiously, especially from the Opposition People's National Party. As the PNP smell blood, the drama gets juicier by the day. In fact, I suggest that when the dust finally clears, someone should make a reality series 'based loosely' on what has been going on.
What this situation does not need, however, are frivolous accusations that only serve to muddle the already muddled waters the JDIP has become. Take for example, the allegations made by the member of parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal. According to what I am being told, Phillip Paulwell, himself no stranger to controversy, has claimed that China Harbour Engineering has Chinese workers doing manual work on the Palisadoes Shoreline Project and that about a thousand Chinese workers are being brought in to do manual labour.
These are claims that the company has vigorously denied. "There is absolutely no plan to contract any additional skilled Chinese workers. We currently have approximately 6,000 Jamaicans contracted under the JDIP to work on our projects including Palisadoes," Qwiu Yang, the deputy general manager of the company, said in a statement released this week. "These accusations are baseless and offensive to China Harbour, a company that is internationally renowned and has numerous major projects all across the world."
Based on the reaction to Paulwell's comments, China Harbour's principals are upset and who wouldn't be. I mean seriously, could anyone really blame them if they brought in workers from abroad. The work ethic in this country leaves a lot to be desired but that fact is, they didn't. I mean, it's not like those Chinese workers can blend in.
What I find interesting is that when the project started I believe Paulwell praised it as it would have provided employment for people from his constituency and it has, so why all the complaints all of a sudden?
The harsh reality is that these China Harbour people are here to do a job and they are doing it and many people don't realise it but the only bungling going on has come from Jamaicans. Anyone who has been to China knows that these people don't mess around. They have a job to do and they get it done, which is why they have a right to be furious.
Call me naïve but I don't believe they care much for our politics and all the madness that seems to surround Jamaica political culture and would rather if they were not involved. Hence Mr Yang's very strong words in that regard. "These comments are bound to cause problems and it would not be fair to the Jamaicans who are benefiting from work for the project to be halted. Doesn't Mr Paulwell want to keep the peace and maintain order on the project, a project that is providing many of his constituents with work?"
It's the same question I would ask because once we are again showing our dirty linen and it doesn't look good.
