KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) says it welcomes the Security Programme Oversight Committee (SECURIPOC) launched by the Minister of National Security Robert Montague, which the association advocated in June 2017.

“JMA is also calling on the Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Peter Bunting, to accept the invitation extended by the minister and join the committee. To successfully address crime and injustice, both government and opposition need to have consensus on the initiatives and outcomes,” the association stated in a release today.

The committee is chaired by retired banker Peter Moses and comprises members drawn from academia, the private sector, citizens’ bodies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations.

According to the security ministry, the initiative is a step for citizens to be involved and contribute to the crafting, evaluation and implementation of crime fighting strategies and plans.

The JMA argued that partnerships were essential and the Government on its own cannot successfully win the war against crime currently being experienced in Jamaica. 

“We look forward to the committee putting its ideas and decisions into action, and stand ready to assist in any way possible,” the JMA release said.

At the launch of the committee Montague extended an invitation to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Bunting to participate.

However, the PNP’s national security spokesman declined, saying that the invitation was not done properly.