In its June 5 issue the Nation newspaper published an article with the title ‘Symmonds pokes at NHC’ which has largely gone unnoticed by the public. BU congratulates the newspaper for sharing the story, it serves to confirm the extent to which our system of government is broken.
The article highlights an interesting exchange in parliament between Opposition member of parliament (MP) Kerri Symmonds and MPs on the government side. During the exchange we learned about a cease and desist instruction which was issued by the Permanent Secretary of the National Housing Corporation (NHC) to the Minister of Housing not to bring any more persons to the NHC to seek employment. Based on the newspaper report the order was ignored by Minister of Housing Denis Kellman.
The revelation by Symmonds was triggered by the ongoing meetings conducted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). However because Symmonds was in breach of Standing Order 61 the matter was barred from further discussion by Speaker of the House Michael Carrington. It is interesting Carrington was quoted in the Nation report admitting he had not attended the PAC meeting and was surprised to learn there was a meeting. Why would the PAC meet and members not be aware the meeting was to be convened? The Speaker (Carrington) is often seen frequenting several rumshops across Barbados and we have no doubt he would have been available to attend the PAC meeting to ensure the important work of the people got done.
The leader of the Opposition and members of the PAC from the government side may have valid reasons why it is unable to function. After several years of an ineffective PAC, BU concludes BOTH the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party have contrived over the years to stymie the proper functioning of the PAC. How can we trust a system of governance which shows no urgency to remove the challenges which prevent the most important committee of parliament from functioning? How can Barbadians boast of a democracy to be proud and we trivialize the workings of the PAC, refuse to implement a decade of Auditor General findings, the establishment of more statutory corporations with lax oversight and the list is very long.
Although the Nation newspaper must be congratulated for posting the story we regret it was not given prominence on the front page. This is the leadership which our media (Fourth Estate) must fulfil if we are to protect our fragile democracy. How can an educated country – we have sunk billions in education in the post Independence period – go about our business as if it is business as usual?
Why is the political directorate forcing the insolvent National Housing Corporation to recruit political lackeys? We know the answer don’t we? Can the public have sight of the latest financials of the statutory corporation or do we need the indefatigable but toothless Auditor General to perform a special audit.
The time has come for politicians past and present and retired civil servants to share buried secrets in the cause of preventing the slide.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.