PM wrong to say NHT is not a charity

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I was shocked to read reports published in this newspaper that the prime minister stated that the NHT is not a charity.

My understanding is that the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions urged the Government to increase the number of housing solutions available for public sector workers. The Government was advised that the current rate of providing 100 houses every 10 years is unacceptable.

Against this background, the prime minister’s utterance that the NHT is “not a charity” smacks of dangerous arrogance and disrespect. Frankly speaking, I find the comments attributed to Mr Holness both disturbing and unsettling. It offends the conscience of those of us who wish to see all sections of Jamaica provided for – and not just the wealthiest who can afford to buy houses priced at $37 million. For the PM to say that the NHT is not a “welfare institution” is disrespectful and elitist.

The prime minister is wrong when he says that the NHT “is first and foremost, a financial institution”.

No, Mr Prime Minister. The NHT is first and foremost a TRUST. A custodian of the money contributed by the working-class people of this country for the eventual benefit of the people. The NHT is a trustee of the people’s funds. That is why it is called the National Housing TRUST.

People contribute to NHT and TRUST that their contributions will not be in vain. Workers pay their NHT contributions every month and TRUST that they will eventually be able to own a home.

The very first function of the Trust, as stipulated in Section 4 of the National Housing Trust Act, is to increase and improve the supply of housing solutions. Workers, therefore, have a legitimate expectation and are well within their right to call upon the Government to honour this mandate.

The PM’s statement comes across as demeaning and dismissive of the valid concerns expressed on behalf of public sector workers. This type of response is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by well-thinking Jamaicans.

The workers did not ask for charity – they asked the Government to fulfil the statutory mandate of the Trust.

ZULEIKA JESS

Attorney-at-Law