Yes, ha ha what a wonderful idea! Will it ever come to pass in Barbados? I think not.

@Chris

What is under the hood to drive FOI? Don’t you need to train government employees to manage the process?

@David: “What is under the hood to drive FOI? Don’t you need to train government employees to manage the process?

You need an office to answer FOI requests. And, yes, you need all government departments to be able to provide the requested information.

But, at the end of the day, this is no different than any department answering requests for information from the Minister, the Prime Minister, or the police. Something they should be ready to do already. And if they’re not ready, then there’s a problem which a FOIA would fix quickly.

The current government could pass this into law within a week if they wanted to.
**************************
True dat……and in line n length of the mockery of this inept fiasco we endured for 5 yrs…BLUNDEROUS…yeah Check-it you just may be right..just like their new Labor Legislate a real sponge for a kite…..BLUNDEROUS TRAVESTY…..the kind we have grown of recent to accept…

Cuddear did I hear the “I words” as in Integrity ? Seems that we also need to search for a video a red mongoose with egg in hand….No one can forget CLICO and the Grand Master of all magicians…who made $10 Million of the taxpayers money disappear early in reign…. under the kind auspices of “showing good faith” and reassuring minds….only to be followed by a Deloitte revelation….that 13 of the monies (so far laid public) has left an African snail trail readily traceable…… the rest…but for the lost of spectacles. ..

.”BUT OF COURSE INTEGRITY LEGISLATION NEEDED…..now I and my team are about to leeeevveee.”
Mr.peer

@Caswell

We still have to think down the road. We need to disrupt how these politicians do business. Perhaps now that you have a column in the Nation you can join the fight.

@ Caswell Franklyn | September 6, 2012 at 7:08 AM |
“Many of those elected four years ago were as poor as church mice and had no assets to declare in any event. But now, you would be surprised by their newly found wealth.”

For the sake of clarity could you Caswell, given your expertise, outline to BU how politicians are able to “get rich quick” while in office at the expense of us taxpayers?
After all, most politicians in executive office only earn around $17,000.00 p/m and subject to tax. According to our system of financial administration no politicians have access to public funds- either to receive or directly disburse. We don’t think (or hope not) that a CLICO type financial management system exists in our ministries, departments or statutory boards.

So please let us know how these ‘poor’ rakey pols are able to swindle us to get rich quick.

A true mongoose will always be caught wid eggs…..he can’t help in ridding of the shells…..always traceable.

Miller

Elected politicians do not handle the money agreed. I don’t know if you heard about the now infamous text message that simply said, “Contract approved, I await my commission”. They don’t handle the money directly, but they approve contracts and then get their slice of the pie.

Onions

Don’t even refer to the Financial Services Commission, already they have been too scared to act against a political lightweight like James Paul. The members of COB had to take matters in their own hands and show him the door. Financial Services Commission what?! It is a big joke.

I believe more in cuttin off these”commissions” at source first —-Contractor General—-then there will be less work policing.

@ Caswell Franklyn | September 6, 2012 at 8:34 AM |
“Elected politicians do not handle the money agreed. I don’t know if you heard about the now infamous text message that simply said, “Contract approved, I await my commission”. They don’t handle the money directly, but they approve contracts and then get their slice of the pie.”

I know they get their commissions and riches through corruption and bribery. I just wanted you to put your cards on the table. It has been seen it in action and drawn it to the attention of others including the law enforcement officials but to no avail.
As far as it is known no minister is authorized by law to interact directly with any contractor who has submitted a bid for the supply of goods and services to any ministry, department or statutory corporation. This is the purview and responsibility of the PS, Department Head or CEO acting on advice of the Tenders Committee as long as the value of the contract exceeds a specified limit. Any ministerial involvement is one of oversight to ensure that the contract awarded is in line with the political administration’s policies and directives as set out in legislative framework.

Now tell us how you can support a man and call him Mr. Honesty & Integrity who continues to have in his Cabinet a man who clearly fits the bill of a corrupt politician on the take?

@observing

We have been asking the same questions over and over. Some time ago Senator Marville who headed the Commission that worked on the FOI indicated there was some work which had to be done to give life to the legislation. It would be useful if Senator Marville or Shontelle Munroe-Knight – two members of the Commission could be approached for comments.

@miller

Let us forget the law for a moment and deal with what we know happens. Why do you think there have been strident calls for IL and FOI? Do you think Barbados is an island soaked in virtue that we have all honest politicians and public servants? If for no other reason let us implement for transparency sake.

@David: “We have been asking the same questions over and over. Some time ago Senator Marville who headed the Commission that worked on the FOI indicated there was some work which had to be done to give life to the legislation.

To “+1” this, the question has to be asked (once again): just what has to be done? And perhaps more importantly, what has been done?

And I think another telling question is: Why is there so very little public information available about this?

One might have thought (expected? hoped? dreamed?) that those working on the systems and language needed to facilitate a FOIA would have been very open and public in their work.

@Observing (…): “Ironic isn’t it. A Freedom of Information Act that no one can get any information on.

Indeed.

Tragic is the electorate put up with this.

David

James Paul did a number of things but as a member of the Supervisory Committee, I am precluded from divulging most of it. However, I can relate the two that were distributed and made public in the annual report to the members: James Paul was able to get $30,000 purportedly as sponsorship for Agrofest without it being approved by the board of directors; also, the Supervisory Committee summoned a meeting of members to deal with another allegation of misconduct on the part of James Paul and two other directors, Paul went behind the backs of the Supervisory Committee and contacted the Nation and cancelled the meeting that was supposed to discipline him. Since these two are already in the public domain, I am free to comment on them in this forum.

The good thing about what transpired and subsequent action go to show that the systems in the credit union to deter and detect excessive behaviour are working. Also, it clearly demonstrates that members can have confidence in the credit union. Additionally, the credit union has shown the country how to deal with politicians who fall short.

@All. OK, this is the kind of thing that is the problem…

@CF: “James Paul was able to get $30,000 purportedly as sponsorship for Agrofest without it being approved by the board of directors

@MTA: “Was James Paul asked to repay the $3,000.00 of the credit union members’ money?

An order of magnitude difference. But, hey, what’s $27,000 between friends….

@Caswell

Thanks!

Good to see the credit union’s checks and balances working.

@ Waiting | September 7, 2012 at 11:10 PM |

Why not start with the simple things first like fix the deteriorating roads and pay the UWI?

Why not obey the law by paying Al Barrack his due?

What about the CLICO solution? Will we see the continuation of this scandal currently blighting the financial and investment landscape of this country and EC region? You really think investors and savers would want to do business with an incompetent vacillating administration that is mired in dodgy dealings with a ponzi schemer? Or do you see the NIS as a piggy bank to bail out every failed or crooked venture? Tell us what the CLICO policyholders can expect. We are not talking about the greedy EFPAs holders but the ordinary policyholders of insurance and pensions annuities.

Tell us about the Four Seasons restart? Where would the waste and sewage from this facility be treated? Would it be hooked up to the already overworked and on its last knees Bridgetown plant soon to be burdened with another dubious artist impression of a fictitious Cruise Terminal unveiled for merely propaganda electioneering purposes like a new QEH?

What about the West Coast Sewage project? Or are you awaiting the submissions of further consultancies; or even an outbreak of Cholera lying dormant in the cholera ground?

What about reviving the sugar cane industry and agriculture as promised?

So you have dropped the Pierhead marina off your propaganda “To Do List”?

BTW, how would the Cruise Terminal be financed? By the much maligned BOLT arrangement?
How much will it cost (ball park figure)?
And who is SMI Infrastructural Solutions Inc?

What about cleaning up Bridgetown first? Do you really think that visitors want to disembark to visit a city that stinks to high heavens and littered with bush and garbage to be hounded by vagrants, beggars and pushers of dope and crap made in China?

Of course you will not respond to these questions. But we will be waiting, just out of courtesy.

The Dees rolled out more projects geared at Barbados’ development in four years than the BLP in fourteen. Miller you’ve not touched the star of the show the Housing program HELP. That’s a masterpiece in delivering for the people’s needs. CLICO under judicial management govt hands tied, BLP owes barrack not Bdos etc. How come you didnt mention housing miller.

@ Waiting
“The Dees rolled out more projects geared at Barbados’ development in four years than the BLP in fourteen.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYkqMT6HKD0?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360%5D

@ Waiting | September 8, 2012 at 9:06 AM |

We notice how you have completely refused to answer the questions posed. But that is expected from you.
Can you identify for BU readers those projects rolled out in 4 years that exceeded those rolled out under the previous administration 14 year stint?
What, you mean free bus fares for school children that would soon be snatched away from them? Constituency councils?
Oh yes, the Richard Christopher Haynes Boardwalk, right?

Talking about housing, can you tell us how many houses have been built and how many are occupied?

Would you say that the only project of worth done under the previous administration was the erection of the statute of the Father of Independence, EWB? Why not do yourself and party a favour and the nation a shameful act by dismantling the statute and rebuild it in the DLP’s own image and call it yours. Then you would have nothing to thank the BLP for since they would have done nothing for14 years during which period the stupid (your view, that is) people of Barbados returned them to power on 3 consecutive occasions and as a result suffered untold hardships with nothing to show for the massive taxes collected. We are sure not even Sir Lloyd would agree with you along with the other DLP beneficiaries of the politics of inclusion.

Waiting, here is a suggestion for an electoral advantage. Why not get Stuart to posthumously knight David Thompson? He would not only be dead King David but “Sir” also. One would not be surprised, given the breath of talent in that delinquent and deceitful party if such an idea has not already been hatched by the anti-Stuart faction.

PS: We are still awaiting the answer to: “WHO IS SMI Infrastructure Solutions Inc.?

Most definitely now……with Gen. Elections slated before Jan.2013…..the answer to the question posed by this thread…now is a resounding NO….why am I not surprised..