A new energy policy
Minister of Technology Clive Mullings in a speech recently seems to have grasped the seriousness of Jamaica's energy crisis when he enunciated the urgent need for ending the 'talk shop' attitude and beginning the shaping of a new energy policy. With the widening of the country's current-account deficit and oil prices spiralling upwards, the country must deal with this issue now.
One way of establishing change is to convert all street lights across the country to solar-driven technology, installing a small solar panel on each pole, or where they are clusters of street lights installing banks of solar panels.
Jamaica has abundant sunshine and the technology exits to convert it to energy. So, too, are we surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, so hydro power is a real possibility. Agreeing with you, Minister Mullings, 'full speed ahead' with a new energy policy.
- Paul A. Lyn
Caretaker, NE Manchester
Via Go-Jamaica
Ocho Rios flood
In the aftermath of the disastrous flooding of parts of Ocho Rios recently, some of the discussions have centred on what caused it all. Most people, unless they lived within the narrow belt of the storm, only experienced showers. We never got an explanation from the Meteorological Department. We were bombarded with hailstones, which indicates the rapid speed with which updrafts and downdrafts were taking place and which did not allow the ensuing precipitation to melt into raindrops before hitting ground.
All of this took place within a small radius of about four miles in the hilly area south of Ocho Rios. The storm deposited 5.3 inches of rain in three hours.
We would all like some clarification from our experts, to find out whether our geographical location leaves us prone to this type of occurrence.
- Donald Drayton
PO Box 27, Ocho Rios
Risky road
I was visiting Jamaica sometime ago. The main road going from Moneague to Ocho Rios, especially between Moneague to Colegate, is horrible. It is a disgrace. Children going to school risk their lives every day. Driving in a vehicle you can put your hands through the windows and touch the bush and trees by the side of the road. Pretty soon, there will be only a little track for cars to drive on.
- E.C.G., New York, USA
