Opposition leader warns of further challenges while urging Jamaicans to forge ahead

Jamaica's Opposition leader urged citizens to unite in overcoming the challenges confronting the nation as she forecasts even more obstacles in the year ahead.

In her annual New Year's message, Portia Simpson Miller told Jamaicans that despite the gains made in improving the country's road infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism and the BPO sectors, as well as agriculture, there are further challenges on the horizon.

"The Supplementary Estimates which are expected to be brought to Parliament in January will hold the start of more bad news from the Government for the majority of the Jamaican people," Simpson Miller warned.

"There is the devastating impact of the rising cost living on the poor, the working class and the middle class. This has been fuelled by the imposition of increasing indirect taxes on the people by the Government," she pointed out.

In the meantime, the Opposition leader said she will remain an agent of upliftment for the poor and vulnerable in the society while urging citizens to set new personal goals.

"My concern for the advancement of persons with disability will not be diminished and my advocacy for the well-being of our nation’s children will never be dimmed," she assured.

"Let us not be daunted by the setbacks or allow criticisms to defeat our ‘Can Do’ spirit. United in purpose we must forge ahead because without unity the great promise of the New Year will ring hollow. Without harmony in our homes, schools, churches, workplaces, communities and society, our goals will elude us and the glorious potential of the New Year would have been wasted," Simpson Miller implored.