Government is not a gift

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Perhaps one of the most important lessons Jamaica needs to relearn is that government is not a gift.

Once an election ends and a government is formed, the campaign should be over. The winning party does not own the country, and those who supported the losing side do not become second-class citizens. The government becomes the government of all Jamaicans.

Yet, we have grown accustomed to treating public services as personal favours from politicians. Roads, schools, water systems, houses, healthcare, and other services are often celebrated as gifts from individuals rather than responsibilities of the State.

The recent controversy surrounding plaques bearing Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ name on homes provided through the New Social Housing Programme highlights this issue. The programme was created to improve housing conditions for vulnerable Jamaicans. While political leaders may support and promote such initiatives, public resources do not belong to them. They belong to the Jamaican people.

This distinction matters. A politician may announce a project, champion it, and cut the ribbon when it is completed, but the funding comes from resources entrusted to the State by citizens through taxes, public revenues, and other national assets.

The same principle applies across government services. Clean water, quality healthcare, education, proper roads, drainage, sanitation, and public safety are not political favours. They are services citizens should reasonably expect from a functioning government.

There is an important difference between gratitude and accountability. Citizens can appreciate governments that deliver while still demanding transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds. Receiving a public service should never create political indebtedness or determine access based on party affiliation.

Governments change, but the State remains. Public projects should serve citizens, not become monuments to individual politicians.

When elections end, politics should give way to governance. Government exists to serve the public interest, and public resources belong to the people.

Chelly-Ann Jones-Segree