BEAT Foundations loses to Beer proposal
The players in the Arts community had hoped the government approved its request to restore the Empire ruins. The group which did a lot of work hoping to win the favour of Minister Stephen Lashley’s is BEAT Foundation headed by Jim McGowan. Sorry Jim but we told you so!
Barbados Today has reported that a competing bid by a group of local investors which includes Mark Maloney of Prenonco Limited got Cabinet’s approval. Yet another major project in Barbados given to Preconco or its connections by the government. This is after the crossover in the Pine and the $12 million or is it $40 million plus molasses tanks in the Bridgetown Port…and the multimillion dollar housing project at Coverly. Yes we agree the Coverly housing project is on life support but given the sweet heart PPP arrangement how at risk is Bjerkham and Preconco?
The question we must ask the government: why is Bjerkham getting a significant chunk of the major projects?
David
Somebody has to replace CLICO.
Barrack should have bid on the job.
the players in the Arts community are very excited at the fact that this will be a cultural centre and brewery. i wonder who will burst their bubble and tell them it is really a brewery with a cultural space.
BU understands we left out the Bushy Park Development Project.
http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=9822#.UPLcx9XO5XE.facebook
“with the public being given the opportunity to have a stake in the initiative as rum shop owners”
a very interesting comment…………
be wise in thinking, that’s how the ordinary bajans are seen they can get no further and do no more than being a rum shop owner
This reminds me of the “golden rule”……He Who Has The Gold Makes The Rules
We have settled for a bunch of pathetic ass lickers for politicians who (everyone knows), kowtow to the people with money and are treated like the house slaves of old.
…so we get what we deserve.
CASWELL you could really hush.
You have been called to bring needed change.
You have been blessed with the needed balls…
…but you continue to hide from your national duty…
We like it so…
What is interesting (maybe laughable) is the reconfiguration of the seating from 500+ to 200+. Is this how we should define tokenism?
is this really a workable plan or is it the rum shops that going to attract the people there
barbados is truly a rum shop culture and those who have the gold are really taking full advantage of such enslaved mentality
@Caswell
You are CORRECT!!!
Just observing
The concern is when business elites take over places where regular locals used to go the places become off limits except to the monied class of a certain pigment. The policies of entry are copied from the Carlisle Club/Harbour Lights rules and regulations if you get my drift.
‘hants
“Barrack should have bid on the job’
Barrack never bid on any jod.
“Somebody has to replace CLICO”
Every week a different set of people financing the DLP, the most recent from last week was Cost-U-Less now this week it bjerkham and maloney.
But no one is mentioning that the Barbados Labour Party is finanacing their own political campaign.
This is being done from the tens of millions of taxpayers dollars which they have stashed away in secret overseas bank accounts.
They have enough money to finanace this elections and the next 20 or so. elections:
@David
As soon as I heard this two things came to mind.(1)This is the funding the Dems were waiting for to pay for the General Election campaign and (2)The brewery section is for the brewer who had to go to St Vincent..I suppose that brewery will now be repatriated and the beer marketed as Ichirouganaim .What an embarrassment.Free secondary and teriary education you say?And is this what has been the result.Blacks still being bought and sold by ‘whites’ in the marketplace?Man chuh!!
@ Gabriel Tackle | January 16, 2013 at 9:55 AM |
“What an embarrassment. Free secondary and tertiary education you say? And is this what has been the result. Blacks still being bought and sold by ‘whites’ in the market place? Man chuh!!”
@ Pachamama:
Your call to refute the above assertion by GT.
@ Carson C. Cadogan:
Is there any merit or truth in the above statement that certain white people are bankrolling the DLP campaign this time around instead of CLICO?
@ David
Can you investigate the movement of $28 MILLION dollars from the Central Bank of Barbados to Preconco Limited et al for the Valarie Housing project?
This $28 MILLION was taken from the $167 MILLION in proceeds from the sale GOB shares in Barbados National Bank to Republic Bank in TRINIDAD.
All approved by CABINET of course, thanks to the CABINET PAPER and lobbying of one Mr.Chris Sinckler (a known inpersonater of a Minister of Finance).
BOTTOMLINE EQUATION:
BDS$28,000,000.00 – 67 Units = BDS$420,000.00 per apartment.
Can someone scream RAPE!!!!!!
Why are you surprised?
One of the DLP yardfowls was on BU a little while ago saying that FS does not have to call elections as the DLP has 167 million dollars to spend! I asked if the DLP cared about Barbados or that they were hell bent on destroying Barbados to make it bad for the BLP, should they come to office.
Leave the money in the Central Bank and a compliant Governor will do exactly what Chris Sinkliar wants! And to think that one Sir Frank Alleyne spent fifteen minutes on Brasstacks today lambasting anyone who dare question the governor!
Lord look whom we have leading us!
Was this government not supposed to be building low income houses for poor people? Houses built at a cost of $420,000.00 cannot be low income houses unless every “poor” person is making over $5000.00 monthly. Building a so called low income house for over $400,000 is madness. How much monthly rent can the government charge to cover this debt? We are going to be looking a serious rent arrears!
@Prodigal Son
Your comment exposes the problem we face with the two political parties. Remember when some question the level of debt which the BLP created on the roof of GEMS? Even Mascoll when a DLPite questioned the return on the investment. We keep spinning top in mud.
@ David
But why did the GOB pay Preconco the full cost (plus some) of the construction when it was a PPP and Preconco was to be paid from the sale of units by the NHC to the so-called waiting buyers?
Stupse. Another Minister became a millionaire overnight.
@Additional Services
What would help is for us to get sight of that PPP agreement?
Maybe because Bjerkham has the capacity to do the job and will stay in or under budgeted costs and time.
@ Kevin
You blasted nit wit.
If you are given by GOB a project to negotiate without competition (tendering) and you negotiate all the terms and conditions including the price, don’t you think you would bring the job in underbudget and on time and look good?
Answer me this Kevin, who is going to buy low income houses at Valarie from the NHC for BDS$420,000.00 each? NHC has about as much chance selling the units at Valarie for $420K as Caribbean Homes has of selling the hot oven boxes at the Villages at Coverley.
Are you doing some of the subcontract work for Preconco along with Roy Davis, who just so happens to be Chris Sinckler’s half brother?
@Additional Services
Isn’t this Roy Davis the contractor who was involved with the St. Joseph Hospital Report?
I wonder if anybody remember the name Hallam Nicholls who became a multimillionaire from 1994 – 2007 .with BLP government contracts..oh by the way .. he is a very close friend of Owen Arthur. Of course, none of that money never made it back to Arthur,lol
Who remember when Liz Thompson husband was given a contract at NHC and she was the housing Minister and his bid was one of the highest and he still could not complete the work. Of course, none of that money never maid it back to Liz,lol
The BLP hypocrisy is amazing.
made not maid, excuse the spelling error
You now understand the urgency of the BLP to get back into office. After 14 years living high on the hog, they believe that they can exploit a tough global reccession to get back at the trough and restart their wicked ways. They miss the money mostly. Arthur wants the money and the power. Their pockets First, Barbados second- that is their intent.
@ ! | January 16, 2013 at 3:57 PM |
So you are telling us here on BU that the DLP has taken over where the BLP left off? It is now jada and preconco instead of Nicholls et all. What about Bannister? Seems he is running with both the hares and foxes. Instead of Medici Owen and Liz we now have the kickback kings of Lashley and Sinckliar.
Both crooked Tweedledee and corrupt Tweedledum are screwing the taxpayers to high heavens.
Word has it that the houses in The Villages ,Christ Church will soon be offered for rental, as sales have been a major flop.
Empire Theatre (Boat Yard Ltd) 2013????
@ Colonel Buggy | January 16, 2013 at 5:33 PM |
Word has it that the houses in The Villages ,Christ Church will soon be offered for rental, as sales have been a major flop……………
I have heard that construction has been halted. The houses are not selling hence the ad blitz now. One lady in the ad said she was retired but qualified for a loan arranged by a lady at Coverley. Her pension must be quite large!
I suspect that the taxpayers will be saddled with the cost of all the houses not sold. Houses not selling, move on to another project whilst you have the dumb suckers in the palms of your hands.
I cannot begin to think what will be unearthed in a few weeks!
Bjerkham and Mark Maloney, the Williams Brothers, and a few others in between. Which ever party is in power white-mout politicians I suspect search out these men, strip naked before them, and invite them to treat. The white boys understand it and have the choice picks. David Estwick within a couple weeks of appointment to the Ministry of Health announced plans for a new hospital. His PM disagreed and after open disagreement he had to be transferred. A dossier on him in a single term would suggest he shouldn’t be in Gov’t for a second term. Richard Sealy and Doville Inniss are two others to watch. Admittedly the BLP has its own gold digging prostitutes too, but when is this prostitution going to stop? Suddenly Bjerkham and Richard sealy are bussom buddies. David Estwick now has his cabinet compromised over a sweetheart deal with Innotech on the BWA new building and Donville Inniss is pushing with a single focus to have the project documents out on the new hospital before election. Only timing will stop him from the tendering process and awarding a contract for $700M to God knows who and for what commissions. And we can go on. The trouble is with a contractor general it would be pretty much the same. So what do we do?
Who is it in the DLP who have their own development in St Philip called Neil-Kurt Gardens purchased from the “moutha” man who lost his children years ago. No wonder he finds no fault with the DLP these days!
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.!!!!!!!!!
Carson like he vex cause the DLP financiers getting exposed. As I understand it Carson could even be a financier himself from all the goods he and his gang was taking from Accra storeroom.
Don’t forget the Dasilvas that building the water authority headquarters. Check for the name Dasilva in the DLP top guns.
@ Probe
You are aware that the DLP manifesto from last election promised a new hospital for Barbados right? The only reason David Thompson and David Estwick had a difference of opinion about a new hospital cause the then PM wanted to control the project and received the “incentive”
If you ever wish to see the Minister of Finance then you need not go further that Easy Hall Plantation in St.John where he can be often found have breakfast, brunch (Sundays only) lunch and dinner.
Coverley was tendered? Valarie was tendered? Country Park Towers was tendered? The Grotto was tendered?
@ Fedup
The New headquarters for the barbados water authority was not subject to a prequalification and a tender? Innotec get new headquarters for CXC, Lodge School and Bwa by being cheapest tender. Not by special gift like Jada and Preconco.
Innotec gave the uwi and lodge school over a million dollars each in grants. say wanna like but yah can’t name another company who gives more money to schools in Barbados.
Freundel Stuart, I understand is on record of his party’s general council questioning the obsession some colleagues have with becoming wealthy. “You come to politics to serve not to get rich,” he admonished.
Whichever ministry David Estwick goes to he was taught, call for the projects file and get something going. All of them who understand the game do it and we can expect more of the same after the next election, regardless of who wins.
@ Probe
Have you ever considered that David Estwick is just trying to get things done in Min. of Agriculture that Senator Benn could not and like wise get things done in Barbados Water Authority when Minister Lowe and Arnie ‘ Gimme Gimme’ Walters could not?
why not another party? why vote for the same all the time bajans must like to get it , you know where
And when I said Sinckler’s brother was getting lucrative government contracts some nitwit had the balls to ask me to name the contracts. Can’t wait for the fallout.
Why is all the focus on prominent government ministers like Minister Sinckler who has lead us through one of the toughest economic storms that has faced Barbados ?
@Horatio Nelson
If the implementation of a Renewable Energy Program is a priority with the government please advise why we are still waiting for the necessary legislative framework to allow players to manage the transition from fossil to RE. It is why we are focus on the MoF because he is the man.
@Horatio Nelson
Fair enough but how can you expect households to make the transition (move behaviour) if they are not able to compute returns if they want to buy grid systems?
Is it possible that he may wish to ensure that the framework is written to consider future considerations, such requiring extensive research in the technology together with legislative imput to program the timing of the shift in government revenues ?
@Horatio Nelson
Are you serious? People buy solar systems if they can afford to spend 3-5 thousand dollars and because warm water is seen as a need (for what ever reason). There is reasonable cost i.e. affordability and what is believed to be a personal/household need. How can you compare to the larger investment in alternative energy where there is a comfort level being supplied by the BL&P?
Many many householders have already transitioned, the L&P bill reflects the credit. Ask yourself one question, anyone computed the savings years ago when the transition to solar water heaters became available ?
CS waiting for grease.
Simple Mathematics ;
Cost of Electricity from L&P = X
Cost of Electricity from Sun/Wind = free + investment (Y)
Y – X = Savings
@Horatio Nelson
Again your position is simplistic. If the vast majority of people are not motivated to save 100 or two hundred dollars per month compared to the significant capital cost. Also you have not factored that government entities like the QEH, Airport, BWA etc are responsible for 60%+ for fossil energy usage.
@Horatio Nelson
Let us agree there is over analysis, why no significant take up?
@ David
Using your analysis “if people can afford to buy systems” costing 25K and because free electricity is now seen as a need. Its really that simple. You are over analyzing a very simple equation.
@horatio
The question is, how many people are able/prepared to make the investment without guidance, legislation or education?
If RE is the mutually beneficial policy to get us out of the doldrums as a country then government (whoever) must be the leaders in all ways.
Just Observing
The average home owner, both in the countries with the largest middle classes and strongest economies can’t yet afford the investment, and because people the world over may not for the most part afford any investments. Without the facts it is hard to support on this a bank holiday, but it seems a likely conclusion that solar water heater new sales are not what they were 5 years ago, for that matter it seems that MILK sales are not what they were….. maybe we can if only for a split moment to appreciate that the “take up” records are tied to peoples ability to ” take up” and which may be tied to the level of disposable income.
@ Horatio Nelson | January 21, 2013 at 10:44 AM |
Pardon the simple miller if he simplistically over-analyze the RE scenario.
But could you explain to us on BU how these magnificent earthmoving RE policies and programmes geared towards the substitution of fossil fuel generated electricity with that of solar and wind will benefit or assist those many households living in government’s rental units like Valerie, Eden Lodge, Country Towers, Ferniehurst or Gall Hill? What about those living in privately rented houses and responsible for the electricity bills?
Please comment on how we are going to involve or incorporate this significant sector of households into the RE transformation movement.
Sir if I can, ask you to answer your question by referencing how they benefitted from solar water heating. Its the same approach, why do we want to reinvent the wheel ? The power is FREE … kind of like the beach is free … just cost to get there. Forgive the simpistic approach but sometimes over analysis is worst than any poor simplistic approach.
Interesting observation by a caller to the talk show today. The new BWA headquarters is currently being built and neglected in its design to accommodate alternative energy use. Therein we see the problem. A revolution needs a leader!
David
Who designed the new BWA headquarters?
@Fidler
Do you mean who design or approve?
@ Horatio Nelson | January 21, 2013 at 1:46 PM |
The power is FREE … kind of like the beach is free … just cost to get there.
The real Horatio Nelson, despite what is falsely peddled in local circles among the chattering class against him, was a man of his people both on land and definitely at sea.
We would therefore wish for you to at least live up to this image even if only in the simple task of using your commonsense.
Yes, the ‘Power’ like the ‘beach’ is Free. That’s a given. But what is not a given is ‘ACCESS’.
Could you please -for the enlightenment of BU and the benefit of those “deprived” householders- explain how people living on the third floor of Valerie Penthouses or on BLOCK D of the Eden Lodge rented units with individual household incomes under $30,000 p/a can have access, both technically and financially, to the facility that would allow them to install solar panels on their roofs or wind turbines in their back yards?
The problem with alternative energy solutions for Barbados is a total and complete lack of leadership.
The solution is not intuitive, but some things are VERY CLEAR and with a little thought, good solutions are possible.
The problem is ….who will approve these “solutions”?
Will the Canadians who own BL&P be motivated to find solutions that benefit BARBADOS? Or will they be more inclined to maximize their bottom line?
Will Canadian banks be inclined to take such risks?
Will the Trini owned businesses be inclined to make investments in strategies that will help Barbadians to reduce fuel import bills? Or will they be only interested in short term bottom line numbers?
OBVIOUSLY, foreign entities are not highly motivated by what are really government challenges, except that in the longer term, poorer Bajans may not be able to buy their products.
When you sell your cows, (or in our case, your Dairy), you lose control of the quality of the milk.
The REAL solution for alternative energy in Barbados is for the Utility and the transport sectors to undergo massive shifts away from fossil fuels towards renewables.
There should be an immediate BAN on all but electric vehicles.
A duty CREDIT of 25% should be provided for the first 1000 electric vehicles imported
Individual solar installations are impractical, confusing and ultimately unsustainable. The electric utility should convert its supply to renewables with very aggressive targets set.
@ Miller
One way that everyone could benefit from such an approach would be for a green investment tax on all electricity users, to be used to fund the conversion to renewables. As the renewables come on stream, dividends can be paid to those investors based on the fuel costs avoided by converting to alternative fuels.
All of these various challenges are really only opportunities to assess the quality of our leadership, wisdom and resourcefulness.
….but we continue to fail miserably in every area….
David
didnt the bwa have and architect who designed the headquarters to their specifications? i would have thought that bwa would have designed the building they wanted, with or without alternative energy features incorporated.
@Additional Services
You are correct of course. This is the point being made; are we serious if government has the major user of fossil energy continues to add to the problem?
it is rumoured that the headquaters has a geo-thermal component and a turbine windmill is to be installed to the rear of the site to power the external lights.
It should not be a rumour, we should know, it is the people’s business.
I agree as well. Can you investigate and report back to the BU your findings?
@ Additional Services | January 22, 2013 at 12:25 PM |
” it is rumoured that the headquarters has a geo-thermal component…”
Geo-thermal energy in Barbados a complete coral limestone geo-physical structure? What a surprise! Then Barbados’ electricity generation needs can be fully met from renewable sources.
Do you know of any other place in Bim where volcanic activity is taking place and geo-thermal energy sources exist as is found in Nevis and St. Lucia?
Miller
The architects have included geo-thermal air conditioned by using deep bore holes for cooling the air which is pumped into the building.
The first bore hole is 1,800 foot deep.
@ Fiddler on Roof | January 22, 2013 at 4:05 PM |
Is that bore hole technique the Bajan equivalent of “Fracking”? These smart engineering alecks should bear in mind that Barbados is a very young and fragile island geologically speaking. This deep penetrative deflowering of its innocent geophysical virginity through our brand of ‘f(u)(r)acking’ could have tectonic repercussions leading to tremors of orgasmic proportions, something rarely felt by the local population in their lifetime.
What else can be recovered from down there? Natural gas or the BWA in-house brand of ‘salted’ spring water? Can the water be used for any industrial use or otherwise?
Come to think about it, the BWA HQ should have been sited somewhere in the St. George valley or the CH CH fertile plain where the bore holes might be more productive with their fecundity manifested by larger oil and gas finds instead of depending on offshore where hit or miss is the name of the game when drilling for oil- hydrocarbon or otherwise.
Miller
You need to get back on your meds man, you clearly in need of some chemical balancing.
@ Fiddler on Roof | January 22, 2013 at 4:59 PM |
Well if you are so sure of your fiddling under the ground instead of on the roof like a solar panel then openly reject the miller’s contention and stop referring to releasing chemicals or their imbalance which is one of the side effects of borehole drilling bringing long buried dangerous chemicals to the surface.
BTW, if what you are saying is really going on underground at the BWA site why all the secrecy; why not level with the people and tell us clearly what’s up?
Why not solar panels as being pushed by this government? Why deep hole drilling?
We await you reply without the ad hominems, if that is possible.
The Villages in Coverley is not so bad after all.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266377/Would-want-live-housing-estate-like-New-Chinese-villas-look-like-concrete-slums.html
Anyone know if the villages houses have any alternative energy solutions ?
@ Miller
I have read your questions and comments, I reiterate that RE solutions are a need and as take up increases the cost will come down. Its really does not need over analyzing my friend. Patience.
@ Horatio Nelson | January 22, 2013 at 8:46 PM |
We have also reread your comments and still at a loss to figure out how the majority of economically disadvantaged Bajans would be benefitting from RE installations other than through the country saving forex on fuel oil imports for electricity generation.
Tell the many small income earning Bajans currently reeling from the financial burden of the electricity bill to be patient. While the RE grass is growing in the desert for them the desert horse is starving.
This sector of the society is in need of immediate relief of some of the “artificial” burden imposed on their basic electricity energy needs. If they can’t be helped via the RE economies of scale cost reduction long-term model why not consider an alternative but not mutually exclusive model that can operate along with the RE long-term fossil fuel replacement solution.
For instance, why not seek to remove all fiscal impositions on a minimum quantity of kWh deemed to be basic for the electricity needs of the ‘average’ household user; say the first 100-150 kWh with an energy conservation objective also in mind. The government through its commercial entity BNOC can also consider reviewing the actual cost of production, processing, shipping and storage and distribution of that portion of fuel oil sourced from local oil production. Should poor Bajans be paying world market prices for their own home grown crude? Again the price setting for the local component of the fuel oil comprising the FCA should take into consideration the basic needs of poor Bajans and their responsibility to conserve energy.
Any loss in revenues to the government or profit to the BNOC can be made good through a ‘cross sector’ excise tax and an ‘ability-to-pay’ charge on the other fossil fuel imports like gasoline and diesel used in the many luxury and SUV vehicles on the roads. As it stands now Bajan motor cars (privately owned- some cases 2 and 3 at the same household) can bear another fixed imposition to help offset the cost of basic need household electricity especially aimed at those who are unable to make the individual switch to RE either now or in the longer term either because of financial circumstances or domestic physical infrastructural constraints and configuration. Which landlord would be willing to install RE infrastructure on rental units where the tenants are directly responsible for their own electricity consumption? How can Ms Jane Blogger living on the second floor in Apt. No 36 switch to RE at the Valerie Ovens housing development aka the SS (Sealy & Stuart) burning erections?
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