The Editor, Sir:

I wish to register my endorsement of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's decision to render greater governmental attention to the protection of our environment.

The prime minister has been demonstrating in no uncertain terms that he understands what strong leadership and good management entail. Congratulations, sir.

I am particularly in approval of the recent decision to remove a portion of the environment portfolio from the Ministry of Health and the Environment and the removal of the land portfolio from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to the Office of the Prime Minister to join the development portfolio.

We have been seeing in recent times too many incidents where our country has been affected greatly by floods and landslides, largely because of bad environ-mental practices on our part.

Given our vulnerability to hurricanes and such tropical-related systems, it is even more essential that we become better stewards of our environment so as to prevent or mitigate huge catastrophes.

Linking to development

There is no reason why economic development and environmental stewardship should not be able to co-exist.

By linking the above-mentioned portfolios, the prime minister has sought to ensure that, while we seek to develop our country, we simultaneously seek to ensure that great respect is shown to the protection of our environment.

After all, that is part of what sustainable development contemplates.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN K.O. SANGSTER

sangstek@msn.com

New Jersey

Via Go-Jamaica