est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

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Is The Government Of Barbados Ready To Deliver?

It is no secret that BU disagrees with our friends over at Barbados Free Press concerning whether enough time has elapsed for the new David Thompson government to fulfill many of the promises made in the last election campaign. The challenge of managing a small open economy today in the prevailing global economic conditions must make being in government a stretch. When we factor the usual political rhetoric of making pie in the sky promises in a campaign, a heavy dose of realism for Barbadians must now take root.

An example of the challenge the government will encounter to deliver on one election promise to expose corruption manifested itself in the Stanton Alleyne Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) Affair. The government brought a case against Stanton Alleyne, General Manager of the SSA which has been stymied because the lawyers and legalese was able to trump the Human Resource  practitioners in Barbados any day of the week. As a result Stanton Alleyne remains on the job when there was an obvious breach in code of ethics.

Almost on a daily basis Barbadians hear about forensic audits being initiated to investigate alleged financial mis-management on the part of the former administration. Last week it was Minister Michael Lashley’s turn. BU looks forward to the outcome to the investigation into the sale of 20 acres of land located at Kent. It appears that the land which has a market value of 25 millions dollars was sold for 4 million dollars to Pinder and Cadogan for 4 million dollars.

Additionally we are hearing rumblings about a land scam where $280,000.00 was requested by a middle man on behalf of a former Minister from a Mr. P. This is some sensitive information and we will place a full stop on this sentence for the MOMENT!

Today we listened with some concern to the General Secretary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) telling Barbadians that because of financial mismanagement of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the treasury was in shambles. He went on to say that the DLP will now have to prioritize how they utilize government resources. Let the PR begin!

We end this blog on a positive note. We have learned that the government of Barbados inked a deal this week which will see the start of a mega-million project later in 2008. The investment will bring much need hard currency and create jobs. Unfortunately the deal was delayed because of a misplaced file which was fortunately recovered in time to save the deal. We refuse to believe that a Permanent Secretary in our government would harbour thoughts to sabotage a deal being pursued by the Crown.

95 responses to “Is The Government Of Barbados Ready To Deliver?”

  1. Juris Avatar
    Juris

    WIV, you have reproduced the newspaper copy…to what end?

  2. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Financial mess

    The David Thompson administration says it’s still grappling with what it terms the financial mess left by the former Barbados Labour Party government.

    As a result a number of programmes have had to be put on hold or reviewed.

    General Secretary of the DLP, Chris Sinckler says government is looking at what programmes need to be a priority at this point, as it allocates funds adequately to service the needs of Barbadians.

    He says the DLP has analysed the problems it has found since coming into office and is now dealing with those issues.

    Mr. Sinckler says the DLP will be reviewing its general elections manifesto not to change any of the policies but to ensure that they can take Barbadians through challenging times.

    This he says will be done during the party’s annual general conference which runs from Friday until Sunday.

    He says the cost of living, immigration and other social issues including health will be discussed thoroughly during the three day conference.

    And Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner says all those who have mismanaged government offices and institutions in the past will be brought to justice.

    The General Secretary also said that the DLP is looking at what it will do with its George Street Bellville headquarters in the future.

    Mr. Sinckler says while there are no plans to move from their traditional headquarters, he says they are sitting on prime real estate which is worth millions.

    Mr. Sinckler says over the years the Bellville area has transformed from a residential to commercial area and party officials are considering several options.

  3. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I will write more later on the above articles.

  4. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    It seems the any government in the region uses these very excuse for not fulfilling their mantifesto promises. prior to this administration the BLP did it, now the DLP is doing it and the new Grenada’s government is doing the same thing. Let’s hear something new, there are many simple things like tightening up the immigration laws, bringing the persons under suspect to justice, tightening up on the lawless behaviour on the roads. These are simple things that can be put in place to show the government is working. We know that the bigger more serious cases would take more time

  5. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Yes Scout the DLP are addressing all the things that your party neglected to address in your 14 year period in office.

    The party is collecting rents that have been mislaid and mispaid to joe atherley’s wife, the corruption of the 1, 2, 3 men is now a thing of the past, the 30 Consultants are no longer, no more Mega cost baths paid for by taxpayers and awarded to the husband of a Minister of the former Gov’t, or the transfer of NHC lands at KENT for the tiny sum of $ 4 million to friends of he Farley and himself when the real value is somewhere in the region of $ 24 million, no more cases of Zone 1 lands transferred at the whim and fancy of the PM to faciliate the sale of the same lands from which he profited, no more tcp refusals so that they should be transferred to the PM for him to set his fee (or bribe as it may be better described) as was done for the permission with Portico, no more missing houses that the NHC and URBAN were responsible for building and no longer to be found.

    It is a long hard job and the DLP will do it because the people asked them to take charge of this island and correct the wrongs that the blp were responsible for and the ills that they cast on our people.

  6. Negroman Avatar
    Negroman

    Scout I agreed with you.All respective governemnts in the region play the electorate as fools.Promises,Promises & more Promises and little action.This government was in office for 7 months now and not 1 indentifiable project has been carried out.Not 1.I want the the DLP supporters on this blog to name 1 successful project that has taken place in the 7 months.
    I am tire of talk that the administration found the treasury empty and in shambles and it must be clean up before the government could get down to doing its work.Utter rubbish.If the treasury is so broke why is the Prime Minister and many of his Ministers are flying all over the world on a empty treasury.Prime Minister David Thompson in last 7 months has spent more time outside of Barbados than at home.
    Scout I also agreed that a simple issue of tightening our immimgration laws are not yet in place.More talk and little action.More illegal Guyanese are still entering and setting up businesses.Check Oistins,Fairchild Street Bus Stand & Cheapside Market.
    This present administration has some of the worst ministers this country will ever produce.Stupid Steve Blackette talking nonsense about both white & black people coming on the slave ships for the same reason and in similar conditions.Funny Richard Sealy direspecting our slave experience by reducing the horrors of slavery by creating a spectacle of the cage as a tourist attraction,the mutant Esther Byer-Suckoo making some of the most nonsensical statements as a minister,Chris Sinckler bungling our international affairs programme and double talking on the EPA issue,loud mouth David Estwick and the embarrassing SSA affair with Stanton Alleyne.
    This is a clown bunch of ministers we have with David Thompson leading the way

  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    WIV I hope you get a big fat slice of the fatted calf. Afterall, Thompson seems hellbent on looking after his watch dogs. Make sure he doesnt give you leftovers, let him know that you are a dog with pedigree and make sure that you get the best dog food that’s available.
    Or maybe you are standing in the line for chicken feed. That’s where the yard fowls are.
    Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck!

  8. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Wishing In Vain
    I had promise not to reply to any of yor blogs but permit me this ONE LAST TIME. Just be careful how you walk around this country, the Animal Control Unit is collecting all stray dogs

  9. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    No worries to you blp supporters we will not isolate you as per the Lammie Craig wish to let any DLP supporter starve to death , we are a party of Dear Loving People something that is strange to you and your clan of crooks.

    Let me suggest to you that your comments are misplaced and that you will HAVE TO ENJOY THE NEXT UMPTEEN YEARS OF A DLP LEADERSHIP because you had control and you were so corrupt that John Public saw you lot for what you were crooks and thieves numero uno in this department of corruption and theft.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Wishing In Vain

    While we have been saying that the DLP needs time to roll-out policies given the challenging economic climate, please note that if this term passes with not evidence of corruption, Thompson can kiss the government good-bye.

    Definition of evidence is the placing behind bars of persons involved in said acts of corruption.

  11. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    David there is no lack of evidence it is more a case of bringing it to the stage were they can address it in a court of law, Urban, Rural, SSA, Water Authority, Hardwood Housing, NHC, Costal there is much to address and it will take time to do so, you have any idea how dirty 14 years of corruption is to address and clean up??

  12. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I am totally at peace with the efforts to address the control of the massive corruption of the BLP,
    it will be addressed and it will be dealt with but one needs to understand that these things take time to bring to the fore.

    The PM has not and will not go soft on addressing the theft of Taxpayers monies it will be an item that people will face the courts for no doubt about this matter.

  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    @ Scout

    I dont think the Animal Control Unit goes up by the dump at Mount Stinkeroo. The stray dogs up there are a special breed and pack is led by WIV. So much so that his breath smells like Mt. Stinkeroo cause everytime he opens his trap only shite does come out.

  14. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    The Hon. David Thompson must have been a real embarrassment to those who were gathered at the George Street Auditorium at the last weekend for the 53rd Annual Conference of the Democratic Labour Party.

    And, who would believe that Mr. Thompson is the said person who – at the DLP’s 45 th Annual Conference in 2000 – would have led those who were gathered at that conference into believing that a so-called fatted calf would have been “slaughtered” under his watch (his prime ministership) and would have been “shared out” among those members who would have stood the course and would have therefore helped won for them a glorious victory at the polls, BUT THAT IS NOW, HOWEVER, EQUIVOCATING AND PREVARICATING ABOUT WHEN THIS SO-CALLED FATTED CALF WILL ACTUALLY BE “SHARED WITH” MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF HIS PARTY IN ADDITION TO SO MANY OTHERS IN THE COUNTRY, NOW THAT IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN “SLAUGHTERED”? WHY DID HE NOT POINT MEMBERS TO WHERE THIS “FATTED CALF” IS, AT THIS JUST CONCLUDED CONFERENCE? IS IT OF RED POLL STOCK OR IS IT THE ORDINARY A MILK COW TO BE – FATTED WITH MUCH HAIR AND WITH BONT TICKS? Surely, those members who were gathered at this last conference must have been really disappointed at NOT seeing this “fatted calf”, and moreso frustrated at NOT seeing any signs of its “distribution”, as promised. But, many persons in Barbadoos ought NOT EVER to expect Mr. Thompson to get far more serious either when it comes to the fundamental strategic politics of the country, even if he appears to be that way!!

    Quickly, for those who might wish to know what this “fatted calf” may be – this “fatted calf” could really be the political spoils that were to be secured and handed out consequent to the winning of an election by Mr. Thompson’s DLP; and for those who might wish to know what “slaughtered” may mean – this term may mean the “winning” of the political election spoils. But, bear with us if we in PDC are subjected to correction on these definitional issues, given that we are only left to speculate about what this “fatted calf” really is and what “slaughtered” truly is, since the author has NEVER PUBLICLY DEFINED WHAT they really are and what they really mean, even though he has had many opportunities to do so!! And, just like Mr. Arthur’s so-called politics of inclusion was never properly publicly defined by him and therefore went on to be a controversial nerve wracking subject within the BLP and the wider polity of the country, so will Mr. Thompson’s so-called fatted calf thesis be for a long time a very controversial and divisive concept within the politics of the DLP and the wider polity of Barbados.

    Anyhow, though, is this the same Thompson too – now that the “fatted calf” has been recently “slaughtered” and should by now NOT ONLY be being shared out among those members BUT ALSO the wider populace of Barbados – that is so selfishly seeking to keep this “fatted calf” for himself, his family, friends, business associates and for a few others in the country, that he is making sure that many of those DLP members and the broad masses and middle classes of people of Barbados dont ever get close enough to this “fatted calf” that has been “slaughtered”?

    Surely, the facts of the matter are such that Mr. Thompson – in view of that statement he had made in 2000, and in view of what he was reported in the Nation Newpaper Monday, September 1, 2008, to be telling those members gathered at the 2008 conference – that they must “HOLD STRAIN” before they get their “share” of the “fatted calf” – has clearly misled many of them into thinking that this so-called fatted calf will be really “shared out” among them, when it WILL NEVER EVER be shared out among them or anybody else. So, inspite of this talk about “HOLD STRAIN”, another Annual Conference will come and another will come and another will come and these members WILL NEVER EVER see the “existence” of this so-called fatted calf itself or it being shared out among them too. For, it is a DOWNRIGHT ILLUSION that has been played out by Mr. Thompson right before the eyes of those unsuspecting DLP members and members of the public, and they may NOT know that that is so.

    Moreso, it could be seriously argued that Mr. Thompson deceptively falsely intentionally misled them into thinking that this so-called fatted calf would exist with the DLP winning the last election and would be shared among them therafter, given this argument itself is based on the fact that Mr. Thompson knows that the “fatted calf” is purely the imagination of Mr. Thompson being at work – another Thompson’s secret IMF Deal, another Mascoll’s JAWS – and can therefore be manipulated to suit certain narrow political ends, e.g. to get persons like Mr. Gray Brome involved in DLP politics .

    Furthermore, that this idea of a fatted calf being “slaughtered” and “shared out” among many DLP’s members and others would have taken on a measure of significance in the realm of the meta-physical/phorical in esp. the DLP support base, such that its author would have intended it to possibly help inspire many unthinking but very loyal members/supporters of the DLP into helping rally the DLP unto victory at the polls, is and must be a feature that must NOT be doubted though, even when in truth and in fact it is clearly a total and absolute HOAX and a SHAM, in the eyes of some very critical political thinkers in Barbados. What a pity!!!

    Finally, the People’s Democratic Congress urge thousands upon thousands of Barbadians to resist being caught up in such languages and spirits, particularly if they do NOT and WILL NOT or EVER be able to fully understand their meanings, their effects and the contexts in which they exist, and if by thinking what they think that these things really mean SOMETHING – when they really DONT EXIST and therefore mean NOTHING – they are therefore – in the final analysis – going to be mainly helping people like Mr. Thompson to lord over them and exploit them, they must repudiate these languages and spirits altogether. Of course, it would be far better if more of these said persons would spend more of their energies and time in joining us – PDC – or in joining other serious people-centred parties in Barbados, so that we and they can become stronger and more vibrant, politically and otherwise, and so that at the end of the day our and those parties will be able to break this stupid BLP/DLP Governmental cycle. For, the next generation of Barbadian people must be able to experience government that is led by parties other than these wretched and withering DLP and BLP organizations and be able to experience these modern-day governments bringing about far-reaching, rational and all-embracing changes and for the better of this country, and in the interest of the further development of the country. More money, more bread, more land!!

    PDC

  15. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    The stray dogs up there are a special breed and pack is led by WIV. So much so that his breath smells like Mt. Stinkeroo cause everytime he opens his trap only shite does come out.
    You ever figured that ist is for reasons like the above that the people of barbados raced you and your clan of crooks out of office and into submission.

    Trust me you and your lot will go down in the history books as the most corrupt bunch ever to hold office in this island.

    We the taxpayers were not happy in the manner you willfully stole our monies and we stood up and took aim at the source of the corruption and we shot the source down, let us not forget the 30 consultants at in excess of $ 150,000.00 each per year the likes of Philip Goddard, Ezra Alleyne and that bastard and scamp and crook Henderson Bovell, if you are unable to say it I will say it the new DLP has begun its work the clean up of this gang of leeches is a start, the other item you fail to reflect on is the success of the FREE BUS RIDES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN WHICH FROM ALL REPORTS WENT OFF AS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.

    My congrats to the foresight of the PM and his team the Minister of Transport the Minister of Education and everyone who went out of their way to make this a successful well run program.

    They the blp said it could never work it could not happen well just have a look and see it was a remarkable success despite your best wishes for it to fail.

  16. Q Avatar
    Q

    when did the BLP say the following
    ——-()——–

    They the blp said it could never work it could not happen well just have a look and see it was a remarkable success despite your best wishes for it to fail.

  17. Q Avatar
    Q

    PDC –

    I believed you spent too much time on nothing because this Thompson thing about fatted calf is a bunch of foolishness that Thompson talked about.

    You might have sought to give life to something that was still- born. I do not believe nuttin Thompson says –nothing. PDC dont let Thompson fool you.

    When Thompson said in Oistins that the BLP sent people to cut the wires at that meeting , i knew that he was still a careless talker. That one careless statement could have cause serious problems if Bajans were like Jamaicans. tHAT STATEMENT COMPLETELY TURNED ME OFF.

    People with the mentality of the above poster WISHING IN VAIN causes me concern because it seems that such persons would go to any length to justify things done by their party whether DLP, BLP, PEP or NDP. Such thoughts constitute a danger to this society.

    I would like to warn persons that this is not a cricket game between spartan and empire or a football game between notre dame and wales where we go watch cuss the players, cuss each other and go home. We are talking about the administering the affairs of Barbados. The callous and partisan approach adopted by WIV is not something I like at all

  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Please dont let WIV cause you any pain. We need people like him. He doesnt understand that he’s doing more harm than good. Let him continue.
    He has obviously misread the collective Barbadian psyche.
    Please let him carry on.

  19. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Q and Anonymous get used to it buddy you got your collective asses thrown out of office for your corruption and stealing.

    The ship has a new great skipper so sit back relax and enjoy the trip.

  20. Avatar
    Anonymous

    We already enjoying de trip. We already sea sick and throwing up over board, de trip so good.

  21. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Wishing In Vain
    In an earlier posting , I made reference to you as a “dog. ” As I was meditating last night before I went to sleep, i realised that I should not have drop to that level. For this I humbly APOLOGISE and ask for your forgiveness. As a punishment, I made to myself is that unless it is accepted, I would refrain from contributing and even if you do accept, I promise NEVER to repeat that behaviour again.

  22. Avatar
    Anonymous

    There is difference between a dog and dawg!

  23. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I am so happy that The Scout and his clan are becoming more forward thinking and are now prepared to accept that the new Gov’t is good for this island the old tired and worn out people of the blp are in retirement, which is a grand thing for progressive DLP thinking.

    The new thinking saw the VERY SMOOTH shift to getting the numerous numbers of school children to their schools on time and without the stress associated with planning of this type the new Gov’t saw to it that each and every child of school age was delivered to their school without having to pay a SINGLE CENT to do so.

    I must compliment everyone involved in this exercise and give the Prime Minister The Hon Mr David Thompson, the Minister of Education Mr Ronald Jones, the Minister of Transport Mr John Boyce FULL and complete marks for making this the success that it was without the hassle that many expected, it took super planning and arranging to have reached where we reached minus the hassle that many blp operatives had hoped and wished for, it was carried out in a most professional manner that you could ask for and from reading the comments in the press not only are the parents happy to not to have to pay this burden of a bus fare but so to are the school children they too are estatic about their new found means of travel to their scholls, my congrast to all that went out of their way to make this great success that it has been may the lord bless them and give them strength to move on to the next task and deliver there as well.

    I also to want to pick out Mr Ronald Jones for special praise, he has been like a becon on a dark night showing the way, he faced the events and came out of it standing tall as we saw this Minister was seen in the forefront of the events recently the ONLY MINISTER IN YEARS THAT WAS WILLING TO BE UP FRONT AND HANDS ON IN A SITUATION THAT WAS COMBATIVE AND WHAT DID HE DO HE PUT HIS HANDS TO THE TASK AND LIFTED DESK AND CHAIRS INTO THE CLASS ROOMS, if this is not the real signs of a great leader I do not know what is, he led from in front he did what was necessary to get those kids back into the class rooms and for this I totally admire his leadership qualtites and style he is to be commended and praised for his willingness to take the bull by the horns and address the outstanding issues at the schools and resolved they were, you have my compliments and praise Misister Mr Ronald Jones keep the good work up and may you go from strength to strenght with gods help and mercy.

  24. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I am so happy that The Scout and his clan are becoming more forward thinking and are now prepared to accept that the new Gov’t is good for this island the old tired and worn out people of the blp are in retirement, which is a grand thing for progressive DLP thinking.

    The new thinking saw the VERY SMOOTH shift to getting the numerous numbers of school children to their schools on time and without the stress associated with planning of this type the new Gov’t saw to it that each and every child of school age was delivered to their school without having to pay a SINGLE CENT to do so.

    I must compliment everyone involved in this exercise and give the Prime Minister The Hon Mr David Thompson, the Minister of Education Mr Ronald Jones, the Minister of Transport Mr John Boyce FULL and complete marks for making this the success that it was without the hassle that many expected, it took super planning and arranging to have reached where we reached minus the hassle that many blp operatives had hoped and wished for, it was carried out in a most professional manner that you could ask for.

    May I also state, from reading the comments in the press not only are the parents happy to not to have to pay this burden of a bus fare but so to are the school children they too are estatic about their new found means of travel to their schools, my congrats to all that went out of their way to make this the great success that it has been may the lord bless them and give them strength to move on to the next task and deliver there as well.

    I also to want to pick out Mr Ronald Jones for special praise, he has been like a beacon on a dark night showing the way, he faced the events and came out of it standing tall as we saw this Minister was seen in the forefront of the events recently the ONLY MINISTER IN YEARS THAT WAS WILLING TO BE UP FRONT AND HANDS ON IN A SITUATION THAT WAS COMBATIVE AND WHAT DID HE DO ?

    HE PUT HIS HANDS TO THE TASK AND LIFTED DESK AND CHAIRS INTO THE CLASS ROOMS, if this is not the real signs of a great leader I do not know what is, he led from in front he did what was necessary to get those kids back into the class rooms and for this I totally admire his leadership qualtites and style, he is to be commended and praised for his willingness to take the bull by the horns and address the outstanding issues at the schools and resolved they were, you have my compliments and praise Minister Mr Ronald Jones keep the good work up and may you go from strength to strength with gods help and mercy.

    One other point of note is why has it been necessary for the taxpayers to fund Hallam Nicholls, Owing Arthur and Steven Hobson by buying a constant suppply of new busses and never having anything more than 200 on the road at any point in time but under this return to school program we saw as many as 250 buses delivered and serviceable and operational to the Transport Board, we reall ought to request an inquiry into the operation of the Transport Board as there seems to be steal intheir as well, because very quickly under this new Gov’t they have an additional 50 buses in the program, someting that was thought to be impossible until the DLP Gov’t took the reins of Gov’t and halted the corruption and dishonesty in Gov’t operations, three chairs to the DLP, Hip, Hip Hooray, Hip , Hip Hooray, Hip, Hip Hooray. For a job and a mission well done, not event the most vocal like Henderson Bovell has the mouth to whisper a word in disgust, because he knows the ire that the it will bring onto himself and his clan of crooks.

  25. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    When I listen to our blp friends they would have you believe that we are living in isolation and far removed from the rest of the world in terms of the impact of the cost of living due to high oil prices, but have a read about the upward movement of food prices in the UK

    Are we so isolated that we are not to be affected?

    Chicken, ham and rice prices increase by more than 40 per cent
    Chicken, ham and rice have seen some of the biggest price increases since the start of the year helping to drive food inflation up by more than eight per cent, according to new figures.

    They have all increased in cost by more than 40 per cent, while a pack of four croissants has increased in price by 47.4 per cent.

    A 400g pot of mayonnaise has risen by 40.6 per cent.

    The overall cost of food has increased by 8.3 per cent, with fresh fruit and vegetables going up by 14.7 per cent and meat and fish increasing by an average of 22.9 per cent.

    It means the average family, who spent £100 on their supermarket shop each week at the start of the year, will now have to find an extra £432 on their annual grocery bill.

    This comes at a time when households are already facing annual energy bills of up to £1,400.

    Neil Saunders, of Verdict Research, which provided the figures, said: “Food is one of the biggest components of household expenditure, and with increases like these it’s not surprising that consumers are feeling squeezed.

    “The good news is that food prices won’t keep on going up by as much as this. The bad news is that they are likely to remain stable rather than come down.

    “Consumers have become used to food prices falling year after year. That era has gone and shoppers are having to adjust to higher prices.”

    The survey, commissioned by the BBC, divided household goods into 13 different categories.

    The cost of general store cupboard items, including tinned foods, rose by 15 per cent, while laundry, washing and toilet paper increased by 14.4 per cent, drinks by 6.8 per cent, pet food by 6.5 per cent, cereal and baked goods by six per cent and frozen food by 5.8 per cent.

    Prices of ready meals have fallen since January by 0.4 per cent, dairy goods by 1.8 per cent and the cost of baby food dropped by 2.5 per cent.

    National Consumer Council policy expert Lucy Yates described the hikes in prices as cause for concern.

    “Like everybody else we have been concerned with the recent price hikes in food shopping bills,” she said.

    “We would urge consumers to shop around, think about how they can keep food wastage to a minimum and use supermarket comparison websites to ensure they get the best deals possible.”

    News of the cost hikes came three days after the British Retail Consortium (BRC) announced that the rate of food inflation slowed last month.

    The BRC said food inflation posted its lowest monthly rise for five months to hit 10 per cent in August.

    The month-on-month rise was 0.3 per cent, down from 1.9 per cent in July and the lowest since March’s no-change reading.

    But the high cost of food is still exceeding the official rate of inflation, with the Consumer Prices Index, which includes shop goods, energy and fuel costs, at 4.4 per cent.

    The BRC said food inflation has more than quadrupled over the past year due to rising costs of packaging, cooking oil and fat.

    The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept interest rates on hold at five per cent for the fifth month in a row this week in an attempt to keep inflation in check.

    Rising cost of food
    A number of individual items have shot up in price since the start of this year:

    Food product
    Percentage increase

    Croissants – pack of four
    47.4

    Ham – a 125g pack
    45.4

    Skinless chicken breasts
    42.6

    Basmati rice
    42.1

    Medium whole chicken
    41.9

    Mayonnaise – 400 pot
    40.6

  26. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    sorry about the error above but i posted and nothing showed up a couple of times then assumed the site may have had a problem. sorry.

  27. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    Hi WIV, since you show price increases trhee times from England, can you give the price increases in Barbados. Once will be enough for us to digest.

  28. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Your comment is silly, as you have seen if you maybe able to read the post above as to why it got posted as it did.

  29. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    What I do know is that the Prime Minister removed the Price Controls on Chicken but as a measure to control any idea to profiteer with the removal of the Price Controls he stated that he would allow 10 % of the quantity on chicken to be imported to keep the local producers honest, funny enough despite their calls of needing price increases if not they would close down and all the doom and gloom they forecasted, you know what the local chicken prices have not moved anywhere,maybe the threat of imported chicken being brought in at a quarter of their pricing is preventing any upward movement in chicken prices.

  30. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    Your comment is silly, as you have seen if you maybe able to read the post above as to why it got posted as it did.
    …………………………………………………………………….
    Come on my friend, you wrote about certain items with an over 40% increase. Chicken in Barbados up by over 40%, Cheese up by 40%, ham gone up, milk gone up, bajan lamb gone up, carrots gone up, beef gone up, cooking gas gone up, electricity sky rocketing and the many items that were reachable for Barbadians now becoming delicacies due to the high prices. And you got the guts (not being personal) to come and tell us we should be happy because the UK have price increases also. We were looking for reductions in prices, not reductions in items. You also have the guts to talk about the removal of price control on chickens and failed to state the recent price increase on feed…$4.50. The least talking you do, probably certain Bajans would overlook the state of affairs, but you are placing it “in our face”

  31. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    You are out of order my friend chicken is being sold at the same prices as prior to the removal of the price controls but maybe not in the supermarkets but at the distribution outlets and this is a fact of life, so in your effort to make life appear to be all gloom and doom you make wild and untrue statements, grow and get a life my friend and stop lying to sensible level headed Barbadians.

    The asking price may have increased but do you also know that arrangements are well advanced to import feeds from other sources that have provided much better prices that our own source, and that moves are afoot to have these new suppliers involved, if you know not what of you speak you maybe well advised to listen and learn and not make yourself look a total idiot with you silly simple minded remarks.

    THERE IS NO WHERE IN THE WORLD THAT IS NOT STRUGGLING WITH HIGHER PRICES AND BARBADOS IS NO DIFFERENT, TO ATTEMPT TO SCORE CHEAP POLITICAL POINTS YOU ARE MAKING A COMPLETE IDIOT OF YOURSELF IN ATTEMPTING TO ISOLATE BARBADOS AS A SOLE CASE OF RISING PRICES.

    I now understand why the electorate dismissed you and your party, besides the gross corruption and stealing many of you were pretty simple minded as well, case in point Blarney MM Lynch, Glyne Clarke and Dale Marshall.

  32. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    You are out of order my friend chicken is being sold at the same prices as prior to the removal of the price controls but maybe not in the supermarkets but at the distribution outlets and this is a fact of life,
    ……………………………………………………………………
    Firstly, I will not go into gutter politics like you, nor will I remind you of utter partisan rubbish that you keep plaguing the public. Do tell me where the majority of Bajans shop, in supermarkets or the distribution outlet? If the answer is the former, you can look in the mirror and classify yourself.
    Secondly, you failed to answer the other submissions as posted by me. Barbadians might not be fortunate like you to go shopping in China or attend US democratic nominations, we have to face the cashiers and count the two pennies in order to feed or families. Milk gone up, cheese gone up and you failed deal with those issues, instead, you prefer to call denigrate anyone that refuse to sing your song. I for one will not join your choir once you continue to wear blinkers and fail to see the problems around you.

  33. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    By the way my friend, stop the high flying and place your ears to the ground. You will surely hear a different tune and you might have a different view 1n 21012

  34. Q Avatar
    Q

    In every chaotic situation thay are people who will benefit and these said same people will defend anything including wrong doing to maintain their benefits

    Hiltler had people who believed in him and supported him —–people like WIV

  35. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Our P.M is now seeing the real world of politics. When in opposition, he contended that the fishing agreement could have been settled over breakfast with Mr Manning, if he was P.M. He has been in that position now for the last 9 months, he either having a lot of breakfast or Manning don’t like cooking. Secondly, he criticised the then P.M about the many meetings on CSME that is going no where and he was right. What is happening now with the EPA agreement? It is O.K to get on the outside and oppose, now he realise that, now the shoe is on his foot it burning bad. It is obvious that he does not command the respect that the former P.M had in the region. Sorry to say but that is true.

  36. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Negroman
    I see that Mr. Gilbert Greaves is being removed from immigration. Is this the start of the shakeup you spoke of? I hope we would see a new immigration put in place soon.

  37. Avatar
    Anonymous

    WIV you are one stupid ras_hole c_nt!

  38. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    It is obvious that he does not command the respect that the former P.M had in the region.

    You must be kidding Owing had no ones respect he was a loner, a loser and a vagabond who they all had a background on he was a corrupt vulture.

    Wake and smellthe coffee guys Owing was no saviour or beacon he was nothing less that a cowardly bastard and crook.

    Yes Scout at $ 5,000.00 per shot to get a work permit makes him a dishonest crook in need of retirement.

    You may well be wanting to have him stay on to carry out your nasty acts but it is time for him to vacate and time to flush out the department of their dishonest ones.

  39. Negroman Avatar
    Negroman

    Scout,Yes that is the beginning of the shake up.Gilbert Greaves is a very decent gentleman who was scared of Owen Arthur and his bunch of pirates.His hands are free now.He is the acting Permanent Secretary in Maxine McClean ministry and his new post will be Deputy Permanent Secretary in that said ministry.Positive and firm action will be done with this illegal immigration matter especially with the Indo-Guyanese hum-bugs.

    Barbados Mills has a Indo-Guyanese employed in a senior administrative position in its company.That company has now apply for a work permit for that individual after having that said individual working for period of time without the work permit.This is the crap that takes place in Barbados on a daily basis.

    I have highlighted some issues at Four Seasons Resort in Black Rock,The Cliff Restaurant & missing work permit issues and I have asked BU to investigate these matters
    Are these issues being investigated David?

  40. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    The chinese were just given permission to remain in Barbados once 50% of those employed are bajans or persons from the region. That arrangement is so vague. What if there are more than 50% bajans needing work? They don’t have to take them. Worse still, they can employ most workers from other regional countries and ignore the local once only 50% are from China. What a foolish agreement but then bajan administrators have the most sense.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @Negroman

    As always we thanks the BU family for forwarding tips. We do receive so many and things we read about in our inbox is enough to depress the most optimistic. We have megre resources and would appreciate sometimes if the BU family can give us somemore to work with i.e. pictures. documents, links etc.

    We will do our best Negroman.

  42. Red Lake Lassie Avatar
    Red Lake Lassie

    Here we are almost 8 months since this post and not a thing has been done to bring any of the Arthur government scammers “to justice”. Was Thompson blowing smoke?

    Where is the integrity legislation? Where is the Freedom Of Information Act? Where is the Ministerial code he promised?

    Can anyone name one piece of legislation passed by the Thompson government other than spending bills?

    What a joker!

  43. Red Lake Lassie Avatar
    Red Lake Lassie

    From BFP post you linked to:

    “I think I’ve lost track of the number of “Special”, “Forensic” and “Special Forensic” audits talked about by the David Thompson DLP Government. Thompson and his gang are in their ninth month of governing Barbados and one thing is for sure…

    The fix is in. There will be lots of shouting and posturing, but no real action will be taken to hold members of the previous administration to account for their corruption. And there will be no real action taken by the Thompson Government to recover any of the millions of our tax dollars that were given away in overpriced sweetheart government contracts by the Arthur/Mottley administration.”

  44. Red Lake Lassie Avatar
    Red Lake Lassie

    That was back in September ’08 and Thompson has been PM now for 1 year and 3 months.

  45. Red Lake Lassie Avatar
    Red Lake Lassie

    Well? Where is the action from the DLP government? Where is the integrity legislation?

    Where is the Ministerial Code? Where is the Freedom of Information Legislation?

    What happened with all the audits? Hardwood? Thompson says millions are stashed in offshore accounts?

    Where are the audits? The Charges? The special reports? The books for Gems hotel scandal?

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