Sniper Prophet eyes prime minister’s job

Days after the country was told of the massive salary package that has been approved for politicians, local clergyman Jahmar 'Sniper Prophet' Watson has disclosed that he has an interest in becoming Jamaica's Prime Minister.

Watson, however, was quick to shut down suggestion that the $25-million annual salary, which the prime minister will earn starting next April, has piqued his interest in the job.

"I have my own company so I am not going into this for salary. I can do without the salary part of it. I am not doing this because the current prime minister gets a salary hike. My business and church are capable enough to carry me through," Sniper Prophet said.

The prime minister's salary has jumped by 214 per cent, with the pay moving from $9.1 million in 2021 to $28.6 million on April 1, 2024. Effective April 1, 2023, the head of government will get $25.3 million annually.

This massive payout is also due to retired prime ministers in the form of pensions. If these retired prime ministers die, their spouses will benefit from the lucrative payments.

The salaries for other parliamentarians have also reached eye-popping levels. Cabinet ministers' pay are moving from $6.9 million in 2021 to $22.9 million.

"The salaries are ridiculous. Civil workers have problems getting a little extra on what they are getting now, yet Jamaican politicians are being paid higher than other Caribbean countries, and Jamaica is not better than them. They are the ones who should be serving the people and not the people serving them, but I think they missed that concept. This is mental slavery " Sniper Prophet said.

Born and raised in Waltham Park Road in Kingston, said that he was instructed by the Almighty, through a vision, that he was needed to be part of the political system.

Following the Lord's instructions, Sniper Prophet said he has started the process of launching his own political party, One People, One Nation (OPON). In order for it to be registered with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica as a political party, OPON must secure the signature of at least 500 electorates.

"I have got about 50 signatures so far, but the Lord said that I will surpass the 500 signatures required. We have to remember that we only have two major parties in Jamaica and we keep going back and forth. When JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) mess up, we switch to PNP (People's National Party) and vice-versa. We need a change and I know I will have enough to run for the next election and I know I will win as well," the clergyman said.

Although mindful that third parties in Jamaica have never fared well in elections, the clergyman said he is confident that a change is on the cards. He that said his main focus will be promoting equality and fairness.

"Nobody would be judge based on their party choice. I would never remove the buggery law, but no one would be judged based on their sexual preference. Homosexuality is wrong and sin is sin, but everyone would have a voice," he said.

"Everbody should have a voice whether you are saved or unsaved. Whether you are a lesbian or from the gay community, everybody should have a voice," he added.

Watson also said that reducing the crime rate as well as raising the minimum wage, which will increase to $13,000 on June 1, would be high on his agenda.

"Minimum wage would have to be increased to $20,000 because Jamaica is hard. All of this hike in wages of parliamentarians, I would cut it because our job is to serve the people. I cannot go to my bed with oxtail when there are others going to bed hungry. I also want to take the word ghetto out of the inner-city and give it a facelift," the pastor said.