The following was posted on the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) blog last night. After perusing it we doubted whether the writer was serious in expecting that the public of Barbados would believe that the diatribe would serve to debunk anything. This is the first time we will respond to a BLP organ which has accused BU of being a partisan blog, BLP blog you are entitled to your opinion!
We made a few notes in blue which we hope will evoke comments and discussion from the BU family:
Pollster Peter Wickham is clearly mistaken when he claims that Prime Minister Owen Arthur has not produced any major improvements in the quality of our governance during his thirteen years in office. Yes, Arthur does have political savvy, this I will acknowledge, but I refuse to accept the other claim. In debunking this piece of foolishness, Wickham is advised to peruse the following:
(1) Over the past 13 years the Owen Arthur’s administration has consistently received the commendations of rating agencies like Standard and Poor’s for its prudent fiscal management. The steady capital inflows is a clear indication that investors have confidence in the mangers of the local economy.
While this is true we doubt whether Prime Minister Arthur can claim that this achievement was made in a vacuum. Barbados has earned a reputation through successive governments for presiding over stable economies which have always proved attractive to foreign investment. Likewise, Barbados has never struggled to borrow in the global capital markets even at our lowest moments. The year 1991 under Sandiford’s reign was our lowest in recent years and even then we were able to borrow. The truth is Arthur built on the austere measures which Sandiford implemented, we doubt that he would ever admit this publicly.
(2) He has increased the membership of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to ensure a quorum can be formed on the basis of the presence of opposition members at meetings.
The membership of the PAC was changed but this committee has been stalled from doing its work because of procedural impediments of which Arthur is well aware. If we were to evaluate the performance of the PAC since independence in 1966 we would struggle to identify any constructive initiative which was achieved under any administration. The change to the PAC membership was a Public Relations move by Arthur, just like Public Sector Reform to muddy this issue in the eyes of the public – see a previous BU article.
(3) His government has liberalized the telecommunications sector in an attempt to lower the cost of doing business locally.
This a joke! The liberalization of the telecommunications sector was mandated under WTO directives. In a nutshell tele-communication companies operating in Barbados had to liberalize if they wanted to compete in the global market. In our case C&W had no choice because it is a global company. What the BLP blog should tell the public are the details contained in the MOU between government and C&W regarding the roll-out of Phase I through III which dealt with the liberalization of the tele-communication sector. Our sources suggest that this would make for interesting discussion!
(4) He has established the Fair Trading Commission and enact pieces of legislation to ensure that there is a level playing field in the commercial sector.
The FTC is a toothless tiger. The latest fiasco presided over by the FTC is the Price Gap Mechanism which protects C&W at the expense of the Barbadian consumer. Under Price Gap, C&W has seen their profits increased by over 60%. The frustration of senior employees/officers at the FTC has seen several resignations over the years. Most notably is the resignation of Ronald Toppin as Minister responsible for the FTC who has elected to remain on the backbench and dither instead of doing the honorable thing and resign on principle.
(5) The critical importance of law and order to economic development has been recognized with the recruitment of additional judicial officers and an increase in the number of courts. No businessman wants to invest in a country where law and order has broken down. While sister territories in the Caribbean have to wrestle with kidnappings and gun related crime, Barbados continues to be an oasis of peace.
We are not sure about this point. When last we checked the Magistrates Courts and Police Stations in Barbados were in a serious state of repair. Our courts are backlogged with cases and the Police Force has been crying out for resources, both manpower and equipment. Many of our finest have been lured to the Cayman Islands and Bahamas; our Attorney General is on record as saying that he can’t compete with those countries as far as salary offers go. We recognized that the Judicial Centre will soon be a reality but caution that it is only a piece of the puzzle when we speak of the judicial system.
(6) The Owen Arthur administration has been a major player in the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). With the establishment of the Caricom Single Market and Economy(CSME), this court is expected to adjudicate on trade disputes in spite of opposition claims that it was a “hanging court”.
Ok, great achievement!!!
(7) The enactment of anti-money laundering legislation which stipulates that deposits of over Bds $10 000 can be questioned by bank officials.
Again this is a joke! Barbados as part of the global fight against terrorism had no choice but to enact Anti-money Laundry Legislation.
(8) The Owen Arthur administration has maintained the integrity and independence of the civil service.
What can we say to #8. Maybe we should ask the Unions to comment on the Lashley fiasco at the Port Authority and the current impasse. All of Barbados is aware of the interference on a daily basis by government Ministers in almost ALL government departments.
(9) It has enacted pieces of legislation which seek to protect the buying public from unscrupulous businessmen.
We are confused about this one. Did we not hear PM Arthur indicate at the just concluded BLP conference that his government will be pushing through anti- price gouging legislation? Does his action not have to do with the rising cost of living in Barbados?
(10) The administration has established venture capital facilities to assist small businessmen who have an idea but lack the capital.
This is good! David Thompson why are you harassing Mr. Murrell of Hardwoods Factory Housing Inc who has benefited to the tune of 2 million dollars from the venture capital fund at Enterprise Growth Fund. Leave him alone!
We welcome any member of the BLP to visit BU to engage us on the points raised. Why do you educate us and then expect us to read your weak presentation. You insult us ALL! Although you accuse BU of being partisan we could have written a better article.
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