Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Popular clergyman, Bishop Merrick ‘Al’ Miller is challenging Jamaica’s political leaders to learn from American President, Donald Trump, positing that Hurricane Mellissa has provided us with the reminder, the resources and the opportunity to reset and rebuild Jamaica.

“We must make the most of this opportunity and do it right! All well-thinking Jamaicans must use this season as a call to action to put Jamaica First and participate in resetting, reimagining and rebuilding Jamaica right! We must act now!  As we reset and rebuild, let us not listen to the wrong voices or the old voices of a failed, outdated, unrighteous system. This is a season to build the new Jamaica,” Bishop Miller wrote in an op-ed (opposite the editorial page), which is a concise, opinion piece written by guest contributors.

Pastor Al, as he is affectionately called, is known for his passionate preaching on the need for sociopolitical engagement by all citizens, especially Christians. He constantly appeals to Jamaicans to embrace individual transformation, get involved in community transformation and in so doing stimulate and facilitate the national transformation of Jamaica Land we love.

Stop selling our land

In his missive sent to the local media, Pastor Al called on the authorities to “stop selling our land!  Land must be eternally viewed by the people we elect as an inheritance and a source of wealth for future Jamaican generations. It is incumbent on all our leaders of whatever political stripe to ensure that Jamaicans keep control of our critical land resources. All who strive for leadership must ensure that we have a political culture that prevents economic exploitation of any and all Jamaicans, especially by foreigners!”

He declared that Jamaicans must unashamedly and unequivocally deepen and strengthen ties with the USA, Caribbean, Africa, Britain, Canada and Israel as a priority, saying in them lies our mutual success and prosperity. According to Pastor Al, who envisions a new Jamaica where every citizen is valued, contributes value to our GDP and wages peace in every community, thereby making Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business, “We should seek from Israel technological and agricultural innovation and product development. From the USA, let’s avail ourselves of their technology, industry and manufacturing opportunities. I can hear some negative voices saying, but Trump is being an international ogre! Let’s learn from President Trump. He is putting America first!  We must learn in our own way to put Jamaica first!”

Zooming in on President Trump’s mantra of putting America first, Pastor Al remarked, “Trump and America are our blessing, not our curse. Despite the thoughts of some. Yes, I hear the naysayers whose feelings are hurt because President Trump is engaging policies and actions that put America first and everyone else behind! Let’s learn from President Trump and find ways to put Jamaica first…righteously! The strength for our rebuilding lies there.”  

He added: “The USA is where God’s grace allowed our people of the last generation to find refuge and formed the base for economic and educational strength. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Even though that hand may be slapping you as it tries to slap others. In that same vein, let’s remember that with all the atrocities and weaknesses that came with colonialism, Britain and Canada have also been there for us in this current era! You may argue that these countries owe us and are obligated to help us.”

However, the head of Fellowship Tabernacle contended, “It’s our time to help them as our Diaspora is doing. They, with the USA, are our best time-proven allies. Again, remember what granny say, ‘Don’t bite the hand that feed you’.”

Rebounding with major Industries

The tele-evangelist drew reference to the current devastated areas, which he is adamant must rebound with major industries that are labour-intensive and technologically advanced to give opportunities and new skills for our youth and people. “It is time to see politicians and technocrats with the visionary mindset to ask, what does the world need and then develop industries that answer that question and enrich our people, Pastor Al lamented, emphasising the need to incentivise our creative industries both to enhance our tourism product and to deliberately export to the world.

He called upon the authorities to imagine a Basil Dawkins play on a government-facilitated run in major USA cities. In addition to a government-sponsored cornucopia of musical creativity from all genres on tour in the USA and other countries, on the hurricane recovery tour!

He is optimistic about rebuilding Jamaica much better than we ever thought it could be, noting that agriculture and food security must become a priority with a fresh attitude and outlook. 

Regarding Jamaica’s post-Melissa actions and national development, the clergyman is also adamant that this must become more than political rhetoric! In addressing the prime minister, the clergyman insisted, “This must be a national goal for everyone! The church is ready, sir!  Reporting for duty.”