There is over US$5 billion is in the Net International Reserves (NIR). We need to save and invest.
US$2.5 billion should be taken from the NIR and invested in basic necessities: roads, water, education, healthcare, markets, proper solid waste management, renewable energy, security etc.
The annual JPS bill to power all state infrastructure and deliver water is around US$150 million. Samuda and Holness said that we do not have water because of the cost of electricity, but this is easily solved. Applying the payback period of 4 years, the cost to solar powered state infrastructure would be around US$600 million i.e. 4 annual JPS bills.
Therefore, investing US$600m would save US$150m every year. It is a no brainer!
It is the people's money and it should be invested in them:
Take all state infrastructure off the grid
Deliver solar powered streetlights nationwide
Deliver a much better funded education system
Provide internet access in all schools and electric school buses for safer travel
Some schools and public buildings would have the capacity to sell excess electricity to earn revenue
Waste-to-energy (in 2009 it was reported that this would generate 18% of our electricity needs and save US$60 million per annum)
Recycling and e-waste management
Infrastructure projects: mini-grids for rural communities, youth leisure and community centres with vocational and e-learning programmes
Solar and wind powered infrastructure and solutions to aid the digital revolution
Solar and wind powered farming solutions
Solar and wind powered factories to manufacture and process imported goods such as glass bottles and foods and drink.
This would impact numerous Sustainable Development Goals and also hit the 50% renewable energy target that the PM told the world he was so committed to. What he has delivered is LNG and the 4th highest electricity rates in the world and now he is expanding mining and tourism to his destroy Jamaica portfolio. All this can be achieved without spending an extra tax dollar by simply redirecting the people's money i.e. investing instead of building the NIR and donating to JPS. It would create thousands of jobs/careers and one would expect a reduction in the annual US$500 million crime bill. This is sustainable and also a social intervention measure.