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More Questions for Minister Denis Lowe

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Submitted by Kammie Holder, Advocacy Director Future Centre Trust
Kammie Holder, Insurance Executive and Advocacy Director Future Centre Trust
Kammie Holder, Insurance Executive and Advocacy Director Future Centre Trust

Dear Roy Morris and Nation Reporters as guardians of the masses of our fate and members of the fifth estate can you enquire of the government and especially the cantankerous […] minister of government Dr Denis Lowe how the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is now $700 million up from $240 million? Personally, I don`t trust this Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the absence of full disclosure and escalating cost. Perhaps, your report got the cost all wrong. Why all the secrecy and haste in the abundance of sunshine and blue energy? Who would think a government which came to power on the promise of transparency would turn its back on the masses?

It is now apparent the government is not interested in recycling or waste reduction but on waste generation. Any smart Bajan can get an international financier to invest in either solar or blue energy for a decent commission so the question begs why the stubbornness to burn garbage if more environmentally sustainable solutions exist. In addition, our Environmental Protection Department nor Ministry of Health do not have the expertise, manpower or equipment to monitor and enforce air quality, so who will?

Finally, let me remind the public that in the case of Runley Greaves vs Arawak Cement Plant the trial judge in his summation said “the Plant is a public good and the residents must learn to live with it.” Thus, imagine flyash made up of PM10 and PM2.5 raining down on you daily 366 days. Will we see the killing off of the West Coast Reef and tourism on the West Coast? Can the Government of Barbados tell the country of a SIDS where this unproven, expensive, energy hog technology was successfully used with a national waste reduction strategy and recycling industry?

Donville Inniss as a voice of reason, how can you accept this initiative not only from the escalating cost perspective but from the point of view it is unproven technology? The time is not too far off, when Bajans must embrace a new political dispensation to seek a new governance model when politicians will be held liable for misfeasance. Barbados is for all and not only for the enrichment of the capitalist and friends.

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83 responses to “More Questions for Minister Denis Lowe”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    7th Heaven Properties Appointed to Source Site for $300 Million Caribbean Clean Energy Plant

  2. David Avatar
    David

    $700 million waste-to-energy deal in works

  3. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    First it was Wild Tamarind, now its Elephant/ King grass. Who needs structures agriculture?

  4. SuckaBubby Avatar
    SuckaBubby

    Interesting submission Mr Holder and good food for thought.I guess these are the investors tripping over each other the Man from Moontown was talking about.

  5. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    “A flurry of financiers connected to the $700 million joint private/public sector garbage-burning plant to be developed by Cahill Energy at Vaucluse have started to arrive.”

    A few weeks ago the Cahill WTE plant was a $240 million privately funded project.

    Now a $700 million joint private/public sector.

    I guess the MOF will clarify tomorrow in his budget.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Even Pope Francis is getting involved on the issue of humans better managing the environment.

    http://time.com/3920540/pope-francis-environment/

  7. Torpedo BullCrap Avatar
    Torpedo BullCrap

    Clare Cowen is a front for who?

  8. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    It is the civic duty of every citizen to ensure that his or her environment is being properly managed. But I haven’t heard much talk about the perseverance of the wild life habitates in Barbados. And wonder if there is such a thing as “(Wild-Life- Species Legislation)” on the book in Barbados? I recall with much youth -enthusiasm the abundances of the White and Black wild pigeons nesting throughout the gullies and in and about my immediate area as a kid. I wonder if these precious birds are extincted now as a resulted of modern development? The Traffic Division moved from Central Police Station in the 90’s and relocated at District A police station, in area where these wild birds used to nested when I was a kid. So I am quite sure this has somehow disrupted their natural habitate, where their have been for many decades?

  9. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @Kammie Holder “can you enquire of the government and especially the cantankerous minister of government Dr Denis Lowe how the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is now $700 million up from $240 million?”

    Kammie boy I guess some person or persons unknown are in for a $460 million kickback and the taxpayers are about to be screwed $460 million worth.

  10. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains.

    Thomas Jefferson

  11. David Avatar
    David

    When will Barbadians be told about the finer details to drive the project. Will Barbados have to import garbage? What about the role of the Recyclers? Not to forget SBRC. It appears one or a few of the investors withdrew from the deal. We are reading between the lines. Assuming Cahill was always a bona fide deal.

  12. ac Avatar
    ac

    Simple simon the load of crap that u wasting here on BU can be helpful in generating energy when the WTE plant is finished,, ghee where are your facts nitwit, just a long laundry list of bull sh..t coming from your shallow brain a brain that needs to be examined where are your facts bring them on jac a,ss

  13. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Dompey June 14, 2015 at 8:48 PM #
    BRO, the widespread use of some of the most dangerous pesticides, has put a dent in the population of our smaller wildlife. Its very rare that you see, a Lady Bird, or a Honey Bee, and sightings of the Humming Bird,aka the Doctor Boobi,are few and far between. The very wild life which we so badly need to pollinate our plant life. Butterflies after a long while are now making a comeback. This is not surprising, as agriculture is now on a down low, and as a result there is less spraying of Grammoxone and Roundup among others, to control , weeds. However around this this time, with everYthing tinder dry, another hazard is Brush Fires,which destroys the traditional habitats of the wild life. I was in St John, Coot / Tappy Pond to be exact, which at one time was the only habitat for the Coot in this island. On my many visits ther,I never once glimpse a single Coot,and I discovered why. The pump house which draws water from the pond and direct it to some nearby vegetable fields, is also the mixing station for the various chemicals being pumped into the fields. Leakages,and seepage are prevalent.
    I think that you will find more humans now utilising the gullies, moreso than wild life. Safari trips, Zip lines ,Hiking ,Flower Forest etc etc. The monkeys , have long vacated the gullies, for a suburban lifestyle,living is such places as the Garrison, Collymore Rock and Government Hill.
    On BBC News tonight,we heard that France is about to ban the use of Roundup, due to its danger to human life. But before that ban can come about, they probably will be busy offloading the stock in hand , to countries ,such as Barbados , that have no standards, although we have signed every known treaty on this earth.
    Do you know that if a shipment of such dangerous chemicals coming out of the united states, raise a red flag for what ever reason, that shipment cannot be returned to the United States. Almost like the story which was circulating , about those GI’s who had contracted Vietnam Rose, while serving there.

  14. David Avatar
    David

    @Colonel Buggy

    Good comment.

  15. ac Avatar
    ac

    A couple years from now when the WTE does it job in saving the taxpayers /consumers/ millions of dollars all this anal analyzing and over analyzing would take a back seat to the reality and understands that what was lost in the making and development of the wte has been recovered million times over( than) if the economy continued on the dreaded path of doing nothing .
    everybody has a pet project in barbados that they believe is the right one and the best one, but no one steps back and take a look as to the overall picture and see if in the interim the cost and set up plus recovery of fiances would be beneficial to all and not only a few,
    the govt’/s over the years has invested in several projects to help bring down the financial burden /cost to govt and taxpayer with limited success in energy so far the WTE project is the only feasible project that can be helpful in savings and cost to a larger populace ,the other projects like solar although beneficial has only been able to reach those who are at an acceptable income level and for others solar has been out of their reach

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @Kammie

    In the quest for transparency by taxpayers from Lowe and the government of Barbados please enlighten us: has the government given its blessing to both Cahill Energy and Ridley Energy Group (Did Lowe know about this company’s proposal?)

  17. David Avatar
    David

    When will taxpayers know what is detailed in the MOU between Cahill/Ridley Group as it pertains to generating electricity and the cost to sell EMERA. What role will SBRC play.

  18. ac Avatar
    ac

    how is kammie going to enlighten u about govt decisions if going by what u say there is no transparency ..a good read of the ridley proposal so far is that govt have agreed to take a look at proposal and applications have been applied /but no written agreement has been signed
    for the past two days u guys have been jumping up and down like chickens with their heads cut off, just so much good has happened in the past months which has helped to dig the economy out of the darkened days in that so much of the good that is happening is too hard for the blp nitwits to grasped,
    But contented to wallow in doom and gloom hoping for the kind of political moment to say “i told u so” what a pitiful bunch of losers

  19. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Colonel Buggy

    That piece of insight on the wildlife situation in Barbados was quite informative. I haven’t even thought twice about the dangerous chemicals and the negative impacted which their have had on the wildlife populations in Barbados. Surely, if an ordinary citizen like you yourself are cognizant about the facts and factors regarding the negative impacted with which these deadly chemicals have had on the wildlife populations in Barbados, government also ought to have taken notice as well? The dying wildlife populations in Barbados ought to be a priority, or at least a concern for those people who are nature lovers in Barbados one would hope. I love wildlife and jump at every opportunity possible to watch it on National Geographics weekly.

  20. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    In addition to the dangerous pesticides which you have mentioned above, deforestation is also a real threat to the wildlife populations globally. Deforestation which make way for new housing developments is steadily encroaching upon the wildlife populations in places like South America. And now threatens to some extent a rare eagle exclusive to South America which makes its home high in the forest canopy. With a world population projected at 7.5 billion and counting, one is obviously afraid to imagination the future impact this will have on the wildlife population, as people cut down the forest in South America and elsewhere in the world to make way for future developments.

  21. Rastarooster Avatar
    Rastarooster

    Bottom line is there isn’t enough garbage on the island to feed both these plants
    Stantec are the consultants on both plants and they should know this .
    Who is covering the infrastructure costs to connect these to the grid ($100m+++)
    Or is the transparency on this a myth too
    Hopefully its included in the budget speach.
    As for king grass or river tamarind where is the 10,000 acres for this or are we growing in on the long acre called the road side.

  22. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    The following excerpt was taken from page 47 of the DLP’s 2008 election manifesto, under the heading “GOOD GOVERNANCE:

    “The DLP administration’s attitude to accountability will be based on the understanding that as servants and representatives of the people there can be no secrets or matters to be hidden from the population. Consequently, a DLP administration will be accountable for its actions and policies and take the public into its confidence.”

    If the DLP had adhered to this election promise and took the public in its confidence they would have done the following (also found on page 47 of their 2008 election manifesto:

    ………. “Press briefings by Ministries/Departments to inform Barbadians of major developments and changes”

    ………. “The publication of details of agreements and contracts involving the government and its agencies”

    ………. “Formal Ministerial statements at regular intervals on the progress of ongoing programmes and projects”

    Perhaps if your esteemed and eminent DLP ministers had embraced the above policies, there would be no need for Barbadians to engage in “all this anal analyzing and over analyzing…….”

  23. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Do you care to remind BU about the “much good (that) has happened in the past months, which has helped to dig the economy out of the darkened days…….?”

    I hope you are not again referring to the issue of bonds? It has been proven time and time again that issuing bonds, (which has been done for years) is NOT a strategy to facilitate growth in an economy.

    If you continue to believe this to be true, then surely the truth is “too hard for you to grasp and you will be “contented to wallow in (your ignorance) hoping for the kind of political moment to say ‘I told u so’…..”

  24. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Was the 2008 position quoted restated in 2013 when Stuart led the party?

  25. Torpedo BullCrap Avatar
    Torpedo BullCrap

    Cahil is a farce, a political creation which was and is intended to confuse bajans. Clare Cowen previous job was that of secretary of a 4 man strong auto air conditioning company in canada. STUPSE

  26. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David June 15, 2015 at 6:50 AM #

    “@Artax: Was the 2008 position quoted restated in 2013 when Stuart led the party?”

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    I would have to admit that reference was made to “good governance” in the DLP’s 2013 election manifesto. However, there was a significant shift from the fundamentals mentioned in the 2008 manifesto.

    But many of the policies mentioned have not been implemented and if you were to compare what has been the norm with politicians from both BLP and DLP, with what was mentioned in the 2013 manifesto, you will discover that the status quo remains the same.

    The following excerpt was taken from page 51 of the DLP’s 2013 election manifesto, under the heading “Pillar (4): Good Honest Governance”:

    “…….It then took the bold step of finally passing Integrity Legislation in Barbados. The enactment and subsequent implementation of this important piece of legislation will go a long way to holding public officials accountable. The DLP has a leader with the highest ethical standards and his Administration will”:

    “….. Establish an Integrity Commission to facilitate the implementation of the Act”:

    “….. Pass a Freedom of Information Act”

    Perhaps someone could tell me:

    When did this administration passed “Integrity Legislation in Barbados.”

    What has Stuart done to demonstrate he is “a leader with the highest ethical standards”, when to date he has not implemented his party’s much touted policies of good governance, which I believe is the pillar of ethical standards.

    Which public official has been held accountable for a number of fiascos that surfaced in this island? For example,

    such as implementing a solid waste tax to pay Bizzy Williams;

    the manner in which those former NCC employees were retrenched, since management did not adhere to the “last in, first out policy and they subsequently having to wait for over a year before receiving their severance payments (which clearly breached certain laws in the newly implemented employment rights bill);

    the PM referring those retrenched NCC employees to a non-existent tribunal; the former Beautify Barbados employees are yet to receive severance;

    Michael Lashley breaching the established protocol by attempting to employ his relative (“through the back door”) at the Transport Board, which led to industrial action being taken;

    the ongoing situation with employees from the Customs Department and their unwillingness to be incorporated into the B.R.A

    These are just a few examples of how this administration seems to have interpreted what good governance “is all about.”

  27. ac Avatar
    ac

    The blp foot soldiers are brain damaged due in fact to the many scams that invaded the barbados coastline under the blp administration /that it is hard for the misfits to comprehend that this govt can engage with entities that have legitmacy and legal standing in the corporate world. can,t blame the misfits for their constant outburst of “pennyhen”politics as it is very clear that there trust was betrayed by the blp govt….a govt which signed contracts and agreements with scam artist example the Nigerian Solar scam that never developed however left a millionrdollar hole in the pocket of taxpayers..so yes one can understand the skepticism and the need for over analyizing..however one can be assured that unlike the blp govt whose interest was one of politcal gimmicks and halftruths.this govt has consultants would fine tooth with clarity the legitimacy of these corporations before doing business

  28. Backstage Brass Avatar
    Backstage Brass

    ac

    Do you believe in CAHILL, do you think this is a real project? Didn’t a DLP lawyer, a campaign manager for a certain big wig DLP Minister get $1M for legal for perusing the agreements with CAHILL?

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Fair response, it is obvious Stuart has not been as strident on the promise of transparency and FOI as his late predecessor.

  30. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    The following excerpts were taken from pages 50 and 51 of the DLP’s 2013 election manifesto:

    PILLAR FOUR (4): GOOD HONEST GOVERNANCE

    “In our forty-sixth year of Independence one of the most worrying phenomena in our country is the alienation of people from the political system. Barbadians of all ages and from all walks of life often perceive the political system as corrupt, ineffectual and not serving their interests. There is a need to restore the image of Government in Barbados to one of decency, ethical behaviour and serving the interests of the people, instead of the interests of powerful groups and politicians themselves.”

    “The DLP has a leader with the highest ethical standards and his Administration will”:

    “Widening PAC membership to include members from outside of Parliament so as to change the image of an “opposition institution” and allow it to benefit from the presence of experts in Accounting, Banking, Finance and Law.”

    Bearing the above in mind, recall there was a situation where it was discovered that the NHC received over $40M in monthly advances without parliamentary approval.

    Rather than implementing the policies relative to the PAC as outlined in his manifesto, as well as making any public official accountable for their actions, Stuart, the “leader with the highest ethical standards” went to parliament and repealed the PAC Act, so as to terminate that committee’s investigation into this matter, while protecting those public officials who were responsible for these actions.

    Now let’s look at: “There is a need to restore the image of Government in Barbados to one of decency, ethical behaviour and serving the interests of the people, instead of the interests of powerful groups and politicians themselves.”

    Recall former Minister of Housing, Michael Lashley, terminated the appointment of former chair-person of the NHC, Marilyn Rice-Bowen, after she questioned his motives of by-passing the NHC board when making decisions relative to projects to be undertaken by that statutory corporation and issuing contracts to large construction companies such as JADA, when smaller companies were “on the brink of failure.”

    In this issue, can Lashley’s actions be described as “one of decency, ethical behaviour and serving the interests of the people?”
    Or, under those circumstances, would anyone of reasonable thought be incorrect if they interpreted Lashley’s actions as being in the “interests of powerful groups and politicians themselves?”

    Lashley’s tenure as Transport Minister must also come under scrutiny, especially since the Transport Board has been giving priority to Trans-Tech Inc. to repair omnibuses at twice the costs UCAL charges for similar repairs.
    Does this behaviour epitomize “one of decency, ethical behaviour and serving the interests of the people, instead of the interests of powerful groups and politicians themselves?”

    Michael Lashley has just as much to answer for, as Dennis Lowe.

    “{The DLP has a leader (Fruendel Stuart) with the highest ethical standards”, yet he upheld Michael Carrington’s (in)decent, (un)ethical behaviour in the matter of Carrington refusing to communicate with his client, Griffiths, and with-holding his funds for a number of years.

  31. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    ac June 15, 2015 at 8:19 AM #

    “The blp foot soldiers are brain damaged due in fact to the many scams that invaded the barbados coastline under the blp administration /that it is hard for the misfits to comprehend that this govt can engage with entities that have legitmacy and legal standing in the corporate world.”

    Each time you lot contribute to BU, you have constantly demonstrated that you are die-hard yard-fowl supports of the DLP.

    You constantly accuse those of us who may have views, which may be different to yours, as “BLP foot soldiers, misfits, yard-fowls and unpatriotic.” I would rather be considered as “brain damaged” than to support human beings, who are susceptible to sin, the way you support the DLP.

    However, it is important to note that, whereas those of us you accuse of being “BLP misfits” ALWAYS bring supporting articles and other documents to substantiate our positions, you NEVER bring anything to this forum other than a lot of generalized incoherent statements and insults.
    Your ignorance was also brought to the fore when you sought to present a 2006 survey to substantiate your position on a 2015 issue. What nonsense!!!!

    I would rather be “brain damaged” than exhibit your characteristics.

  32. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    During the 2008 election campaign the DLP promised Barbadians a “change” in the political landscape of this island. Many of us bought into this strategy, because we thought there would be an emergence of a different Barbados and gave the DEMS overwhelming support at the poles.

    Unfortunately, those of us who wanted change and voted for this administration are EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED with their performance thus far.

    THE STAUS QUO REMAINS THE SAME, and it’s only the DLP yard-fowls who do not want to accept this.

  33. hamicb65 Avatar
    hamicb65

    @ David (BU)… is there any possibility of posting recordings of the budgetary proposals and the reply by the opposition? I would like to listen to both in full, but unfortunately I’ll be attending a viewing and funeral service today and tomorrow respectively.

  34. Raw Bake Avatar
    Raw Bake

    GOOD HONEST GOVERNANCE

    Worse still is that there is every possibility that the “Electoral Purchasing Departments” will ensure he and others of similar ilk will be re-elected.

    We like it so. No?

  35. Crazy Coot Avatar
    Crazy Coot

    The coots have not left Tappie Pond but they prefer the larger ponds which are not as close to the road. Some farmers use chemicals responsibly and we must be careful not to paint all with the same brush.

    One key issue with Cahill is the “secret price” at which our government has guaranteed to purchase all that they generate. This will effectively be a tax on the population if it is too high. Why is it a secret???

  36. ac Avatar
    ac

    For sure you got to be “brain damaged”to be constantly engaging with an”idiot”.right that term you have tagged ac. question why would u not apply some commonsene (here).but i guess your diatribe and venom stands in your way of keeping your eyes off the prize

  37. Luxotica Avatar
    Luxotica

    I am praying Ms Mottley can provide some information on Cahill Energy during her presentation. Barbados needs to know more.

  38. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Engage with an idiot????……… Hell, no!! I never engage with you.

    Must you fools respond to everything?

    This is a sign of an immature “brain damaged” individual. And it comes to the fore, because the only ones on BU who are unaware of your stupidity, are the ACs. As such, I make it my humane responsibility to use my common sense, in the BU forum, to constantly remind you of the idiots you actually are.

  39. David Avatar
    David

    @Crazy Coot

    One key issue with Cahill is the “secret price” at which our government has guaranteed to purchase all that they generate. This will effectively be a tax on the population if it is too high. Why is it a secret???

    And this is the point!

  40. IntegrityPolice Avatar
    IntegrityPolice

    Some day coming soon the two political parties will not be able to protect each other for a new dispensation will ensure accountability.

  41. IntegrityPolice Avatar
    IntegrityPolice

    36 Months may seem a long time but its really a short time in politics. A night of long white knives is the only way to purge corruption from politics in Barbados.

  42. ac Avatar
    ac

    Ha. ..ha..ms mottley give infomoration about anything to do with the economy is useless blabber .her only point of recognition is to produce poppy cock and rub shoulders .i belive she has started an in house committe/ investigatin to deal with voters list.

  43. Rastarooster Avatar
    Rastarooster

    The Cahill rate agreed by our commercially aware governing party will not be commensurate with the added cost of compensating BLP for their contractual rights and the additional capital cost of the additional infrastructure needed to connect to the grid
    How long will it take the Cahill plant to come on line and meet its performance guarantees BLP will have to keep its current capacity on line until Cahill can prove its plant works
    This will never happen
    Let’s get real and kill this thing before its to late…..

  44. Luxotica Avatar
    Luxotica

    Cahill have NEVER, EVER built a waste-to-energy plant and I agree with Rastarooster, lets KILL off this non-sense before its too late for Barbados. Cahill don’t have and NEVER had the money to do this prject. They are front end chancers hoping to make a few tens of millions.

  45. Rastarooster Avatar
    Rastarooster

    Cahill were on the island last week without their technical team and the alterNRG guy ???? Why oh why
    Because they don’t exist anymore
    Cahill is a shelf company in Guernsey with nothing behind it
    All front no substance the tens of millions this woman could make will be paid for by the tax payers of Barbados and the consumer in their power bills for the next 30 years

  46. DavidE Avatar
    DavidE

    Hey RastaRooster

    You are right. Theres not enuf garbage on da island to support this so called plant. You know why? Cause da CEO has left da island.

    its sad that one womuns conniving can bring down a great little island like Barbados. And she will.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    Please note the name David is reserved for BU blogmaster.

    Thanks

  48. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ ac June 15, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    Instead of attacking Ms Mottley- who, btw, is the most popular and liked politician- why not spend your time looking for a black dress of sorrow to wear to the grand opening of the David Thompson Mausoleum due in 15 days and counting down?

    I am assuming you have by now received your official invitation for that grand event due to take place June 30th 20(??). You mean not even a simple event involving ‘straightforward’ protocol you guys going to screw up?
    But then again the DLP only value yard ducks like you around elections time. What’s the going rate for your breed again? A pound of pollard or a few brainless worms for you to swallow as DLP gospel?

  49. Rastarooster Avatar
    Rastarooster

    Is Stantec a supplier or a partner with Cahill as it states in the nation ????
    If they are a partner maybe they can shed some light on what’s happening with this debacle .

  50. Rastarooster Avatar
    Rastarooster

    If we can’t get our judicial system to call a halt to this Cahill farce then let’s try it in the court of public opinion

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