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Will Minister Chris Sinckler Bring Tidings of Great Joy?

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Christmas in Barbados
Christmas in Barbados

The Christian festival of Christmas is the time of the year Barbadians join many across the globe to become immersed in the spirit of the season.  Psychiatrist suggests human beings need ways to relieve stress. Whether Christian or Infidel the season is used to promote frivolity, show kindness; reach out to the less fortunate, spread good cheer. The decision by the minister of finance to issue a ministerial statement on Tuesday – if media reports are to be believed – begs the question to what extent politicians are willing to ignore tradition and long standing value positions for the sake of political expediency. Apologists may retort this is not a budget debate and therefore the public will be spared the palavering by members of parliament that has made Barbados into the laughing stock for those who force themselves to follow proceedings in recent years.

The Governor of the Central Bank Delisle Worrell hinted a couple weeks ago the Minister of Finance will have something to tell Barbadians, the time will be on Tuesday 16 December 2014. All the economic indicators point to the fact the message by the Minister of Finance will not be tidings of great joy.

After six years of poor economic performance many Barbadians appear to be losing confidence and hope in the government to lead the country on a growth path. What has not help to discourage public concern is the latest tantrum by Minister of Agriculture David Estwick.  It is not unusual for a minister of the government to disagree with  policy. What is unusual is for a minister of government to break the collective of cabinet by voicing public dissent and NOT resign. Even more unusual has been the unwillingness of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to censure Estwick. The Days of Our Lives imbroglio has made a mockery of government and has served as a long running distraction to the many problems affecting the affairs of state.

The current state of affairs encourages partisan positions to be drawn but sensible Barbadians must be concerned at the inability of the government to energise a once proud nation to change, to fight! A photograph of Caricom leaders who attended a heads of Caricom meeting in Trinidad a few weeks ago reinforced the truth that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Nowhere was Prime Minister Stuart of Barbados featured. There were the HOGs of Trinidad, St. Kitts, Antigua…

Whether BLP or DLP here is the reality. It is mid December and the majority of Barbadians have not received tax refunds. Many of the roads in Barbados are in a bad state of repair. Many districts have to be happy with once a month garbage pickup. The CLICO matter remains unresolved. The Paradise (Four Seasons) issue remains outstanding. Barrack we are not sure. Several houses built by former minister Michael Lashley are in a bad state and will have to be rebuilt. The Private Public Partnership at Coverly has become an embarrassment and eyesore. Six years later we wait for the operationalizing of transparency legislation. The Attorney General promised  new domestic legislation in the first quarter of 2014, we are quickly approaching first quarter 2015. BU can easily list 15 more outstanding issues and many do not require financial resources to implement.

Barbadians will take time out of their Christmas routine to listen to Minister of Finance Christopher Sinckler. Some wonder if the message will prove to be the straw which breaks the camel’s back.

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194 responses to “Will Minister Chris Sinckler Bring Tidings of Great Joy?”

  1. old onions bags Avatar
    old onions bags

    …half n hour of bare pep talk….dah is all….pleasing to those like ac…….We will have to

    wait til April

  2. piece uh de rock yeah right!! Avatar
    piece uh de rock yeah right!!

    Another “send the fools further and further” delayed suffering speech full of “udder” fiscal development programs and pie in the sky pronouncements meant to stave of the Moody’s and Standard and Poors until May 2015

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Good to listen to the grandiose plans of government. We wait for the performance.

  4. old onions bags Avatar
    old onions bags

    ……one thing doah…delinquent tax payers given an amesty on penalities… on all taxes payable (Vat incl) …should they file and get into BRA with those monies by March 31st….Goodies for some..????

    ….also informing that the real budget coming in April, so prepare

  5. David Avatar
    David

    We hear Minister Estwick did not take his seat parliament up to 12PM AND the resolution under debate is about sugar/agriculture.

  6. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Dee Word December 16, 2014 at 10:28 AM #

    Looking good!

    I too liked that pink background, as I am too an old man now with weary eyes and the contrast was less harsh, but overall looking smooth!
    ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
    Pink Background! Old Man ! Weary Eyes! Looking Smooth! What you talking bout DW?

  7. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!!!!!!

    For those who did not hear or have not read – this is from nationnews.com

    Sinckler Speaks: Key Points from the Ministerial Statement
    16 December 2014

    MINISTER OF FINANCE Chris Sinckler today painted a picture of improvements in the fiscal deficit, tourism and foreign direct investment in a Ministerial Statement this morning in the House of Assembly.

    Here are key points from that statement:
    The budget will be presented in April 2015 at the end of Government’s 19-month stabilisation programme.
    This will allow for consultation with partners and also to complete the impact analysis on the tax reform, investment grid and social services.
    The Fiscal adjustment programme has been effective in restoring balance to the foreign exchange market and the value of the Barbados dollar.
    Barbados now has 14 weeks of import cover.
    The targets have largely been reached in the attempt to reduce the fiscal deficit to 6.6 per cent of GDP by the end of March 2015.
    Government has achieved large savings through the reduction of salaries.
    There will be no new taxes.
    There will be smaller expenditure cuts.
    There will be more efficient tax collection.
    A tax amnesty is being offered across all tax categories.
    The reform programme has been extended until April 2016.
    The Municipal Solid Waste Tax will be revisited.
    Government will introduce a Fiscal responsibility Law which will govern the way the public purse is spent.
    There will be reform of some state-owned enterprises.
    This will be done in four clusters: (1) Urban and Rural Development and National Housing Corporation; (2) National Sports Council, Wildey Gymnasium and Kensington Oval Management Inc.; (3) Barbados Tourism Investment and Needham’s Point Development; (4) Needham’s Point Management Inc. and Hotels and Resorts Inc.
    This will be done with a full consultation of the Social Partnership.
    Government will be working closer with the private sector.
    There will be a national discourse on education, health care and environmental management.
    Government can’t tax or cut our way out of a recession.
    Government will be pressing ahead with the Barbados Economic Growth Strategy 2013-2020.
    Tourism is turning around in arrivals, airlift and long-stay visitors.
    There are some major projects on stream with high net worth individuals investing in Barbados in a number of hotel projects.
    Barbados has signed a lease with BHP Billiton to start oil and natural gas exploration offshore.
    The year 2015 promises to be an exciting turn around for Barbados.
    The Minister concluded by saying Barbados was not yet out of the woods and we must stay the course.

  8. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ David, black text may be best for the comments.

  9. Brief Avatar
    Brief

    Government has saved in salaries – true.

    But I am confident that the monies paid out in severance will not allow for any savings this year in ‘salaries’. Please we are a little brighter than this Chris. Are you calling it severance because it was part of a sugar investment – was it not related to ‘salaries’?

    You saved by not paying per month – but the expense when calculated on severance would cover value of salaries for remaining of the year. Yeah we are a little brighter now.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    They are paying severance from the fund not so?

  11. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Due Diligence December 16, 2014 at 12:00 PM
    “Barbados has signed a lease with BHP Billiton to start oil and natural gas exploration offshore.”

    Do you really believe that bloody bold-faced liar?
    Which oil industry investors in their right financial mind would risk spending millions of scarce money prospecting for high sulphur difficult and costly to refine heavy hydrocarbons in a tourism-dependent environmentally sensitive coral island and with crude oil prices heading south faster than the same liar can open his mouth to read from a propaganda script written for him?

    This is just a repeat of an earlier lie mentioned in the June 2012 budget repeated as follows:

    “Off-SHORE DRILLING PROGRAMME:

    Finally, while I am on this issue of energy Sir, it would be remiss of me if I
    didn’t update the House on the off-shore drilling programme much vaunted by
    the last administration but which ran into server difficulties at the beginning of
    the economic recession when virtually all of the proposed bidders backed away
    from pursuing the investment. As you know Sir there were almost major
    deficiencies identified by several of these companies with the two pieces of
    legislation – the Off-shore Petroleum Exploration License Act and the Off-shore
    Petroleum Taxation Act. We have now completed the draft amendments and
    will very shortly lay the Bill in parliament foe debate and passage.

    I can also alert the House that we have reached agreement for an exploration
    with the one remaining company from the first batch of bidders, BHP Billiton,
    who will be free to proceed with its operations once the amendments are
    passed in Parliament. We expect that that agreement will be signed shortly and
    government will receive a signing bonus of US$6 million.”

    The question to be asked is if that US$6 million signing bonus has been received.

  12. ac Avatar
    ac

    The look of disappointment on the faces of the opposition sent shivers down my spin..Ho! Ho! Merry Xmas to one and all

  13. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    Miller

    Went to http://www.bhpbilliton.com/home/Pages/default.aspx and searched “Barbados”.

    Nothing for Barbados – it took me to http://www.bhpbilliton.com/home/contact a Contact Us page headed “What would you like to enquire about?” which I did not waste my time completing.

    Seems like BHP Billiton may have decided not to proceed with its operations once the amendments were passed in Parliament (if they were passed in Parliament.

    A signing bonus of US$6 million?. Who does he think he is – LeBron James?

  14. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    @ ac December 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM #

    The look of disappointment on the faces of the opposition sent shivers down my spin..Ho! Ho! Merry Xmas to one and all

    Disappointment? Surely the opposition was not expecting him to say something substantive

  15. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Both Sinckler and Donville Inniss cannot be telling the truth about the reasons for having a ministerial statement instead of the the regular silly debate.

    >

  16. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    A “Ministerial Statement” was employed because if they had used the normal debate shyte Estwick the loose cannon would have had to vote and, having had his sugar cane project scuttled, the Loose Cannon could NOT HAVE BEEN TRUSTED TO vote with them.

    So it was decided to “throw out some sprats” of infinitesimal paucity until next year when, MAYBE, someting gine brek to appeasee Estwick and Estwick wouldn’t rock the boat den as he would have today.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    @DD

    What does your research throw up about Cahill-Barbados?

  18. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    BHP Billiton exploring offshore Trinidad and Tobago and that is probably why they will do the same off shore Barbados.

    http://www.ogj.com/articles/2014/06/bhp-billiton-farms-into-deepwater-trinidad-and-tobago-blocks.html

  19. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    http://www.cahill-energy.com/

  20. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    David

    See link posted by Hants.

    Nothing new in Google search

    Same old, same old stuff posted in March. No names, no figures, just PR fluff.

  21. David Avatar
    David

    Can BU ask if the government intends to make a statement about the status of the WTE project?

    What about the Environmental Assessment Study promised at the Town Hall by the principals of the project?

  22. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    “In addition to these, as would have been indicated by the various Ministers through a series of policy statements, government has also decided to work more closely with the private sector in forging strategic partnerships to assist in the delivery of particular social and economic services to the public.”

    “Some of these, such as the Adopt-A-Km programme on the ABC Highway, route rationalization and sharing in public transport, and the placing of the national oil terminal operations back into the hands of the private sector where they were until 2004, have already started or are at an advanced stage of finalization.

    “In the coming months it is government’s hope to examine the possibilities of similar public-private sector collaboration in government’s operations in tourism services (through the Caves of Barbados) and in International Transport (Auxiliary services).”

    I hope BU realizes this is fancy talk for privatization.”

  23. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    See full text of Ministerial Statement at:

    http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2014/12/16/full-text-of-ministerial-statement-by-finance-minister-on-economy/

    “These, together with strategic interventions in the second home market with the very attractive but sensible policy on high-net worth individuals investing in Barbados, have driven a major renewed interest in the upper end of the foreign direct investment market in the country. Multi-million dollar private sector investments are now being executed or will unfold throughout 2015 by Sandals, (at Casuarina and the Beaches at Almond); a new Hyatt Hotel in Bridgetown; and a new multi-faceted family resort at Sam Lord’s to be managed by the world renowned Wyndham properties.

    The remodeling and reintroduction of both the Sandy Beach and Amaryllis properties to the local tourism market will complement the work on a complete rebuild of the old Settlers Beach Hotel into a new up-market villa hospitality establishment; together with the early 2015 start of the much anticipated Beachlands Villa Project; the recently announced exclusive high-end residences project at the Crane and the multi-million dollar Kings Beach Villa Project which has already started.

    Between these projects and the others to come, Barbados’ economy is expected to receive a much needed boost of new FDI of over 1.5 billion Barbados dollars over the next two years or so. This will no doubt create major economic activity including job creation, spending during construction and increased tourism value added once the projects are completed.

    The great thing about all of this investment is that it is occurring within the foreign exchange earning sectors and, with the exception of the Sam Lord’s project, they are all private sector developments. This together with our continued push in building our international business and financial services platform to protect and grow this vital sector, along with the very exciting expansion in alternative energy production and consumption, augur extremely well for further growth and diversification of our economy going forward.”

    DD hopes that the Minister is not counting on “Tourism Consultant” Bob Verdun to secure the FDI to fund any of these multi-million dollar private sector investments.

    Oh, and what is happening with the decaying skeleton at Paradise Beach?

  24. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    @ David December 16, 2014 at 3:54 PM #
    Can BU ask if the government intends to make a statement about the status of the WTE project?

    What about the Environmental Assessment Study promised at the Town Hall by the principals of the project?

    That the Minister was silent on the $240 million Cahill WTE energy project, is a clear sign it aint goin nowhere.

  25. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    Or perhaps Sinkler does not want to one-up The Rt. Honourable Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister of Energy who will be making a public announcement shortly on the matter of the Cahill WTE project as he and the principals of the said company sign the formal documents at a public event.

  26. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    I like the bit about the fiscal responsibility law. The problem, as always, will be in the execution. Will the Fiscal Council be allowed to do its job – or will it be emasculated like the Public Accounts Committee?

  27. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    As I listened to Bufffalo Sinckler speak I was transported back down memory lane to a time when photographs (black and white) of the girl friend one’s older brother or an appropriate one of an older sister, stolen from their private collection, suddenly became “my girl”

    One does not have to go too far to the true authors behind these hotel projects funded through loans backed by the Central Bank at interest rates of 1 or 2%.

    Incredibly and overnight the wordsmithing of Bulbados’ Biggest Liar Chris Stinkliar, Minister of Fine Ants, have coopted each and every one of these projects into the non-existent portfolio of the GoB as if they had anything to do with developing/engineering these initiatives.

    David [BU] you should use your contancts with the respective hoteliers/developers to get the true story on the absolute hell that this government is giving some of these parties to get their projects up and running

    @ St George;s Dragon

    The purpose of the Fiscal Council is TO EMASCULATE and therefore by definition it cannot be emasculated, this is the de facto ole boys club for the political cronies and oversight entities that serve at the discretion of the MoF and his colleagues.

    Oiling the wheels of the General Election in 2018 through this reincarnation of the Constituency Councils (an election that I add they are going to loose convincingly)

  28. old onions bags Avatar
    old onions bags

    David

    Check Drop Box……

  29. DR. THE HONOURABLE Avatar
    DR. THE HONOURABLE

    Trying to get accustomed to this “new” Blog. The Blog operator seems to be worst than a woman. Suppose the Blog operator is really a woman -( female) because he always changing up and rearranging for no good reason. Between ignorant AC and the new look of this Blog , I will hardly come here. I am not comfortable and will not be comfortable until or unless AC is banned , at least for the rest of the year. I have some see some recent comments under the name of AC that I would swear were written by a certain Minister and not by the usual fella who might be soon out of a job and who will have to run back whence he came

  30. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    ‘No plans’ to get rid of UDC, RDC
    Added 08 December 2014

    There’s no official plan to get rid of the Rural Development Commission (RDC) and the Urban Development Commission (UDC). Minister of Housing Denis Kellman, who has responsibility for the RDC, made this statement yesterday.

    16/12/2014

    There will be reform of some state-owned enterprises.
    This will be done in four clusters: (1) Urban and Rural Development and National Housing Corporation.

    Wunna can’t see the people mekking sport at we?

  31. ac Avatar
    ac

    dr,,arguable.. ban ac nincompoop ,,ban ac,,, jack a,,ss ,,LOL

  32. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Having some trouble with these light, girly colours.

  33. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Enuff

    Something not right…..Chris looks in NationNews.com….like he loss some weight…he also walking in a trance like a zombie…..I smell trouble brewing…something not right peoples

  34. ac Avatar
    ac

    TRENDING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW,,, Now that’s what i am pleased about…

    Guidelines road maps with specifics rules in placed to direct with adequacy in the prevention of barbados economy having to be perched ever again on a fiscal cliff by visionless governance,

  35. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ old onion bags (11) You ent learn nothing from Georgie Porgie ?

    Chris still needs to lose another 100lbs.

    Wanna oversize big guts Bajans need to stop being so cravetious (except at Christmas. lol )

  36. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Hants

    You better beware….I have no sugar, no HBP,no malayria nuttin so…..do not listen to Bushie…..he is the one now in the ‘departure lounge’ and he is in desperate need of company….Boss man I duz run 2 miles or swim 1000 m everyday…..BTW whats wid (11)?

  37. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    old onion bags ( de second)

  38. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    Help me please

    “As a compliment to (2) above, and in order to assist the Barbados Revenue Authority in its tax administration and collection efforts we have also decided to offer a short term amnesty to all tax payers across all tax categories on the interest and penalty accrued on taxes owed at December 31, 2014. Access to this facility will be on the basis that the taxpayer pays their total outstanding principal owed to the BRA on or before March 15th 2015.”

    Tax amnesty?

    Does this mean those folks waiting for a refund, will have to wait even longer, while the delinquents enjoy their amnesty?l

  39. Dee Word Avatar
    Dee Word

    @Colonel Buggy December 16, 2014 at 11:53 AM

    My comments referred to the site.

  40. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    In spite of the Ministry of Health ,this week squashing rumours which had surfaced that two cases of Ebola had reached our shores, today’s Nation newspaper is reporting a case of Abohla brought in from the United States.
    Ms A. Bhola ,(a name you do not want to shout in public by way of greeting) Regional Marketing Manager of PriceSmart is lamenting the downturn of business in Barbados where at one time they were able to retain some 30,000 active members, but now that figure has been reduced to 15,000.
    Yesterday I heard another regional sales guy, on radio, thanking Barbados, especially in the region, for buying up the most Blackberries.
    Doesn’t appear as if Barbadians are that price smart after all.

  41. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Due Diligence December 16, 2014 at 8:31 PM #

    Help me please

    Tax amnesty?

    Does this mean those folks waiting for a refund, will have to wait even longer, while the delinquents enjoy their amnesty?l
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
    All those awaiting refunds will be paid on April 1st 2015 or 2016 or 2017
    The very fine print on the back of the I.O.U Certificates clearly states “Send This Fool Further and Further”.

  42. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    Colonel Buggy

    So, when the delinquents pay up, Government will pay up – SOME TIME – MAYBE?

  43. Boy Blue Avatar
    Boy Blue

    Today’s paper shows the PM attending a funeral,and viewing the deceased. Boy I would hate to be a duppy and having the likes of Stuart looking down at me. But that is also his MO towards the living.

  44. John Hanson 1781-1782- I SERVE 1788- 1792 BARBADOES. Avatar
    John Hanson 1781-1782- I SERVE 1788- 1792 BARBADOES.

    http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Forbes-ranks-Jamaica-best-country-in-Caribbean-to-do-business

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