THE EDITOR, Sir:

When governments make poor decisions, the people they govern have to pay the price and whether or not they pay the price immediately, is dependent on the motives of the party in government.

Price increases are normally held in check if it will affect the chances of the ruling party.

The Bruce Golding government has no such luxury. A little over five months in power, he has no choice at this time but to increase the burden on the Portmore residents.

Yes, the toll must be increased; the Government can no longer absorb the overdue increases due to the toll operator. Somebody has to pay, and in this case, it's the majority of Portmore residents. It does not matter now how they voted last general election or for that matter in the last local government election, where a PNP majority council was being led by a JLP mayor under a JLP government. No matter that one of our civic leaders who led the fight is now taking counsel with the very party that he had issues with during our toll struggles.

Must pay

When you approach the toll booth, the only thing that matters is the colour of your money or your tag. You have got to pay, and pay you will for the next 30 years.

My only sadness is before the 30 years is over, the very officials who forced this toll upon us will again be in the seat of power. It is for this very reason, regardless of the time and whomever is in government, the toll must be resisted in whatever way possible. The powers that be must realise that the toll is a financial burden on the pockets of all drivers in Portmore and by extension, the taxpayers of this country.

The long-awaited widening of the Marcus Garvey Drive is now under way and we sincerely hope that efforts will be made to correct the problem of flooding which has plagued the roadway in the past.

I do hope also that the Mandela situation will be revisited and corrected ASAP.

I hope also that the six-month review period for toll increases will be adjusted to a time period that will give the users of the toll road time to make adjustments to their incomes. What many toll road users don't understand is that the review period is tied to the economic performance of the nation. In other words, a strong economy will give us a strong exchange rate and low inflation and by extension, an acceptable consumer price index. Thus the need to review the toll every six months might not be necessary, and even if it is, a relatively small, acceptable and manageable increase would be the order of the day.

I close by saying again the toll road contract was and still is a poor decision that we will have to pay for. Is anyone listening?

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON

Lot 297 Portmore Pines

St Catherine