What would almost ONE million Dollars be doing in an ESCHEATED ‘checking’ account (# 01283012) under the name of the Ministry of Finance Poverty Alleviation Grant?
See page 46a Sunday Sun 29th November 2009 where the Barbados National Bank Inc, lists a number of unclaimed or dormant accounts.
Would this not have been picked up by the Auditor General and is there no actual use for this poverty alleviation grant?
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The situation says a lot.
The budget process is flawed.
The business head in the Poverty Alleviation Unit (Permanent Secretary) is incompetent.
Couldn’t the Customer Service Manager at BNB have made a quiet call to the department to ask what the hell is going on? Then again why would they?
According to the website of the poverty alleviation bureau is it fair to make a conclusion that all the objectives have been met? Then as taxpayers we should have no problem with close to a million dollars going back to the consolidated fund unspent.
This Bureau was established in October 1998 with the aim of assisting in the alleviation and eradication of poverty in Barbados. The Bureau seeks to do this through building on community development and the empowerment of community organizations and individuals, ensuring their access to resources and opportunities.
Aims and Objectives
To assist in the alleviation and eradication of poverty through the empowerment of individuals and groups by the provision of economic and financial opportunities as well as educational and vocational training.
To establish a cordial and effective working relationship with Government agencies, NGOs, CBOs, individuals and community groups in an effort to reduce inefficiencies, duplication of efforts and wastage of resources.
To ensure a faster and more meaningful delivery of services.
To create the climate for young people to gravitate towards the growth and development of small/micro business enterprises.
To pioneer the development of a new entrepreneurial class.
In addition to, as well as to facilitate these aims, the Bureau will:
Collect information and data on poverty alleviation.
Appraise projects.
Assist communities in the identification and implementation of projects.
Develop a strategy for the alleviation and eventual eradication of poverty through community involvement.
Provide the necessary technical assistance for intermediary organizations to enhance their capabilities to service their clients.
The assault on poverty alleviation will be targeted at community councils and organisations that have programmes in place to affect the inclusion of those they represent in the social and economic framework of the society.
Poverty Alleviation Committee
The Committee administers and approves access to the Poverty Eradication Fund, which was established to assist the most vulnerable groups in our society in times of acute needs, particularly where such needs cannot be met from traditional sources of funding. The fund helps to speed up the delivery of social services to persons whose circumstances place them in financial difficulties such as the inability to provide basic food, shelter and meet elementary survival requirements.
The fund supports a philosophical setting whereby the stigma of welfarism is eradicated and all are empowered to generate sustained, viable livelihoods. To this end, programmes for the pursuit of skills training and practical education for living are encouraged. In some cases, some applicants for support may simply need more guidance and exposure along the lines of opportunities that exist as an alternative to welfarism.
General Information
Financial assistance sought by individuals or groups should not duplicate assistance that is obtainable from other government agencies or departments.
The Committee only considers requests from individuals whose income levels are at or below the poverty line ($5,503.00 per annum). Discretion may be exercised for families facing extenuating circumstances.
Funds shall not be provided directly to individuals. Rather the agencies of the Ministry of Social Transformation shall liaise with institutions, agencies or businesses to procure services or items granted to individuals or groups.
Submissions for funding from CBOs and NGOs shall include the comments of the Community Development Department and/or the Poverty Alleviation Bureau on the viability of the project and its potential to alleviate poverty, where relevant.
For funds approved in excess of $100,000.00 an agreement prepared by the Office of the Solicitor General would be concluded by the organisation and the Ministry of Social Transformation.
I vex ’cause I din de one tah spot it first..!
I VEX ’cause I could do wid ah piece ah change like dat in my account!!LOL
Greetings my friend, BAFBFP.
Oh NO de ol’ White bro is back, LOL
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