PNPYO: JLP not getting traction to name Seaga national hero
Chides placement alongside Michael Manley on $2,000 currency
Published:Tuesday | March 15, 2022 | 12:10 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
DEXROY MARTIN, acting president of the Opposition People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO), says Government’s decision to place the images of former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga alongside former PNP President Michael Manley has been done because the Holness administration is not getting any traction in favour of memorialising Seaga as a national hero.
Last week, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke announced in Parliament that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) would be distributing a new $2,000 bill bearing the images of former prime ministers Seaga and Manley. He also said that an upgrade of the other banknotes would be done.
However, while the biological family members on either side of the political divide reportedly agreed to have the images of Seaga and Manley together, the PNP youth arm is unhappy with the decision, citing a lack of critical and political consultation.
“It is evident that the JLP is seeking to immortalise former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. They know that their dream of making him a national hero will not get the buy-in of Jamaicans, so they are trying their best to ensure that every aspect of the Jamaican society is associated with him, from building names to highways, to schools and now currency,” Martin said.
Broader consultation
Both the Denham Town Primary and the Denham Town Infant schools, located in Western Kingston, where Seaga served as member of parliament (MP) from 1962 until his retirement from representational politics in 2005, have been renamed in Seaga’s honour. The North-South Highway linking the economic centres of Kingston and Ocho Rios has also been named in Seaga’s honour.
Martin, who is also a PNP deputy general secretary, said though the Government has reported that it consulted with the families, the matter required broader consultation.
On Sunday, Martin told The Gleaner that “the new denomination adds no real value to the lives of the Jamaican people. The rumoured $40 million to do the changes is diverting much-needed funds away from helping those who were vulnerable prior to COVID and those who have become vulnerable within that period”.
That cost has not been independently verified.
The images of National Hero Paul Bogle and George William Gordon will appear together on the upgraded $50 banknote, while Marcus Garvey, the country’s first national hero, will appear on the upgraded $100 note. Nanny of the Maroons and Samuel Sharpe will appear together on the upgraded $500 note, while former Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante and Premier Norman Manley will share the $1,000 note. The images of former prime ministers Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer will appear on the upgraded $5,000 note.
The PNPYO has also blasted the JLP administration for what it called a disrespect to women, having decided to have Nanny and Sam Sharpe share the $500 note. The youth organisation would prefer that Nanny appear alone or with another deserving woman.
“The announcement on International Women’s Day that Jamaica’s lone heroine will now have to share space on the same note with a man, though his achievements are equally outstanding, was not in keeping with the spirit of the day,” Martin noted.
“If it were necessary that she shares a note, then the Government, had it consulted, would have found that other distinguished Jamaican women could have been considered, including Louise Bennett Coverley, Mary Seacole, Aggie Bernard and former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.”
The upgrading of the banknotes coincides with Jamaica’s 60th year of Independence, which is being celebrated this year.