Submitted by BAJAN TRUTH
How enlightening was today’s Nation newspaper? Parris ignores Chairman of Oversight Committee William Layne and sends his request or command to the Prime Minister. CLICO across the region has been viewed as a key player even a kingmaker in REGIONAL elections. Could this have something to do with a line item in their accounts – miscellaneous- $14m per year. It is alleged that Parris can call Prime Ministers in the region and instruct them as to what he will tolerate and not tolerate.
Imagine that POWER. But where does this power emanate from. Word from Trinidad is that it is alleged that a very senior director in CLICO describes that power thus, they have money (to finance campaigns) and they have agents (political messengers), the most powerful combination for a political force to determine who wins and loses election. Now this puts into greater context Estwick’s explosive remark on a political platform about Parris’ control of the DLP, determining who and who would get a pick. Most revealing now we understand the greater regional political dynamics. Look at the dynamic duo said one observer- Parris and Hartley, hand in hand across the region, establishing and controlling governments. One now needs to determine if Thompson makes it a trio or is he a pawn.
One can now more carefully analyse the CLICO FINANCIAL DEBACLE if the above is true. Can it explain why Parris can write directly to the PM to continue to write business despite the injunction by Supervisor of Insurance and the Chairman of the Oversight Committee? Why with impunity he does not submit information requested of him, with no apparent consequence? Why he is still Chairman of CBC? Note that negative info about CLICO is unlikely to be carried. Why he could hire his own firm to do business for CLICO, (conflict of interest, anyone?); Why he can cash in his policies while he ask patience of others, they can wait.Could Mr. Johnson say him nay?
What about Mr. Thompson, can this explain why he of all the Prime Minister’s in the region has not taken to this day a step to put CLICO under judicial management. Guyana, Bahamas, Trinidad, just to name a few, did it promptly. He only mentioned that it might be done if an agreement cannot be had with shareholders, last month. This came after the IMF dictated that this issue could severely damage the Barbadian economy, and needs to be addressed immediately as a condition of getting loans, one suspects. P.M. Thompson has assured Barbadians and the OECS region that Barbados would protect their interests, a recipe for disaster. His reason, he wanted to protect the 1400 agents jobs, especially the main job, CEO & Chairman Parris. This could be at the expense of 40,000 families in Barbados who could lose pensions and investments to take care of their old age. Imagine if half,as a result of being pauperized by CLICO issue, 20,000 of them need assistance from Welfare and National Assistance Board etc from government because their interests were jeopardised for the benefit of Parris. What an economic and social disaster.
Not a word from the P.M. condemning anything CLICO or Parris has done so far? What a threat to democracy and the well-being of Barbadians. Whose interest is Thompson protecting, his opponents insist it is to protect the golden goose that will guarantee DLP political fortunes? You decide. Let us see what he says this week.
I just want to see this dealt with to protect us Bajans and our democracy. I want to see the promised accountability, transparency and integrity. So far DLP has interpreted this as being transparent about BLP behaviour and not their own. I think however our expectations were that DLP promise was about how they would govern and take care of our interest, and bring prudent management of our affairs.
We are still waiting.
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