JAMAICA Observer online readers have reacted overwhelmingly with cynicism to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's national broadcast Sunday night in which she updated the country on her administration's achievements in its first year in office, among which were the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme and the lowering of the crime rate. The prime minister also reiterated several mega projects being undertaken, including the expansion of the Kingston shipping port, aimed at generating jobs and achieving growth. Below are a selection of the comments:

Red Ants

Credit for the reduction in crime? Didn't she read the report that said crime has been trending down over the past four years? The best thing Portia can do for the country is to reduce the size of the Cabinet and the vast number of political appointments. None of these people were unemployed prior to 12/29/2011. They are not only raking paycheques from taxpayers but most have income coming from other sources.

DT

Red Ants, this the first time I heard something from you that I can say I agree with. The PM is in dreamland and the numbers she presented are not even close to the truth. The sad thing is she needs to get rid of the non-performers in Government. The continued waste on personal stuff for her friends should stop. To be honest, I can't see a bright future for Jamaica. While I think the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) is better at running the country they have a lot of issues too. The PNP (People's National Party) is just a corrupt bunch.

Mizd2u

Ah boy... I have to laugh because it doesn't make sense I cry...Lol! Come by here, Lord...smh.

Enos Anderson

He who feels it knows it. If I did not live in Jamaica I would say "what a wonderful job the Government is doing". But, I know that a good speech writer can put a positive spin on anything. They surely made it look like this Government is doing something other than hiding and feathering their personal nests.

Mwhip

@Enos Anderson. And taking time off on the people's dime to go on retreats!

Manley12

Please don't laugh after reading the above. It's true what we've been so callously saying all along, that the PM does live in an alternate universe. You know the one where up is down, black is white, poor is rich.

Best-government

Fairness should mean that people get what they deserve. People choose what they want; and people reject what they do not want or think is in their best interest. 2013 is going to be an exuberating year for the Jamaican people; all those with common sense and using it should and must be bracing themselves for what is to come, especially in the month of April.

Tom Stroke

I sincerely love Jamaica and would like to see her grow and prosper. So, it was with this thought in mind I abandoned the movie I was watching and tuned in on the Internet to Mama P's speech. If it were not for the requirements of sleep, I would still be holding the pen in hand and staring on the blank sheet of paper to this very minute. Anyone who can say that Mama P's speech can move even an old sleeping dog much less Jamaica, needs to have his/her head examined. In fact, such a person not only needs a CAT scan, but a dog scan, cow scan, goat scan or whatever other animal scan that one can think of. For Mama P basically gave Jamaicans "a talk", possibly because people are saying that as the prime minister she needs to say something. I will not even waste anymore of my time to reference anything in the actual speech.

Michael Smythe

Basically, the PM is telling us she has no clue how to change the direction we are going in. This list of trivialities will not change anything. Urging teachers to be resilient in the face of 'Prados for Everyone' isn't going to cut it. Our political system is bankrupt. Fundamental change to the structure of our political system is the only way out.