Submitted as a comment by Crusoe to the Prime Minister Fruendel Speaks To The Nation, AGAIN blog
The diatribes above actually do contribute to good exchange of banter, even if politically motivated. The above highlights what the ‘average Joe’ is very annoyed at, such as unexplainable project expenditures, lack of transparency and accountability and a complete disregard of voter wishes.
As Halsall has referred to, this administration committed, yes committed, to a Freedom of Information and Transparency Legislation on its entry into this term. There is no excuse for the delay in this. They got the Judicial Legislation changed for their appointee fast enough.
Secondly, cost overruns etc. have not been explained and no attempt has been made to enable this nor to enable explanation and evidence of future projects for the average voter. As government is supposed to represent the people for the good of the country, this is a disgrace, by both parties.
Thirdly, while the current administration supports running on about 3S, it must be noted that the marina project appears to have been given to the highest bidder, amidst resignations from the independent directors of the same project. Without due explanation and with an impending legal case as a result, from an alternate contractor, that is highly worrying from a voter perspective and does not give that ‘warm and fuzzy feeling’ that a citizen should have on his taxpayers monies being spent well. Is this another botched project? Slated to cost 700MM but will probably eventually cost 1.2Billion?
On the Four Seasons Project and the Pickering project, how much of the loan that I suspect Stuart is in the process of arranging from China (my speculation ONLY, but the next three months will tell), is to jump start these projects and how much to ensure Barbados has adequate cash flow for the next two years?
Should Government be sinking money into projects to fund private concerns or should Government merely provide an enabling environment for same?
This administration, as Opposition criticized GEMS, but any guarantee or direct support into such as Four Seasons will serve the same result. We still do not have public declaration on all of the costs and expenditures on GEMS remember.
Lastly, if indeed, as I merely speculate, Government is in the process of borrowing from China, it should be stated clearly and in advance, rather than after the fact, as it is significant in contributing to the state of our foreign balance of payments and loans profile. Just saying. But maybe and hopefully I am wrong, I am saying IF…and IF so, it must be declared before the fact!
As Halsall says good governance starts with transparency!
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