Overseas Travel by Politicians and Civil Servants High on the Agenda
Auditor General, Leigh Trotman’s voice has been one in the wilderness.
Some Barbadians have wondered about the need for government officials to travel overseas first class and in many cases to travel at all during a protracted period of austerity. Do you know government officials […]
– politicians and civil servants – continue to trapeze the globe
to attend meaningless conferences/meetings while increasing taxes on Barbadians? BU concedes some travel will be necessary to efficiently conduct the business of government, however, the government needs to built trust in its policies by engaging the public to explain its travel commitments. How are Barbadians to understand first class travel and accommodation and four and five star hotels while same government is defaulting on VAT and Income Tax rebates to citizens and companies?
Barbadian taxpayers who elected politicians deserve to be treated with respect. We need this government to be more transparency about how it spends OUR money. We know from reading the Auditor General reports through the years – BLP and DLP – we need to demand greater transparency and accountability from government. Successful private companies which undertake to make harsh demands on its employees, always place a high premium on managing the process by engaging in crystal communication strategies to allay the fears of an important stakeholder in the process as much as is practicable.
We (sensible Barbadians) want to know the budgets for the last three years for overseas travel by ministers of government and public servants to help inform our conclusion whether the acuity of government is intact.
An article titled – It’s not all first-class travel and fine dining when you’re PM: Cameron is spotted scoffing Pringles while squashed in to his seat in economy class – makes for good reading.
Barbados Underground 
I’m not getting into this debate but I’ll say this… Barbadians have “a lot of long talk…!” They chat on the beaches, rum shops, side walk etc…! Proactive they’re not, reactive they certainly are…! Just SHUT UP Bajans and turn your chatter into action…!
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You must know that these overseas liaisons are often designed to facilitate opportunities that are not easy to achieve in Barbados without nosey malicious Bajans finding out and putting it in the Saturday Sun’s gossip column …or on BU.
Besides the Government people don’t want to be outdone by the big spending sport leaders when it comes to such high living… 🙂
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Article in today’s NationNews: PRIME MINISTER FREUNDEL Stuart and his Cabinet are meeting in retreat to look at ways to better serve the country.
There was no need for a two day retreat at the Crane Beach Resort along with accompanying expenses for a decision to be made. Short answer – RESIGN!
But then again, we should be “grateful” that they didn’t hold the meeting in Geneva at a 5 diamond hotel and fly there first class.
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Maybe if they went to see these plaa gasifiers they would be better informed as to the nonsense they signed up to sight unseen
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Shameless extravagance. It is an embarassment ! They will loose my vote for this alone. How can they ask Barbadians to improve productivity? Let us see the cost/benefit analyses of every single ministry official on tour with them as well !!
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@ Shaft:-
You are so right when it comes to more talk and LESS ACTION. That’s a traditional thing that makes it easy for the Government to continue PIMPING the people for years, and will continue to. They know that the taxpayers aren’t going to do shit about whatever they chose to do. It’s truly amazing how people can get together as you’ve said in just about any place and talk about situations, and what should be, or could be done. BUT DOES NOTHING BUT MORE TALK. Might even lead to altercations if it’s someone from a different party voicing his,or her opinion. While the Government is conducting business AS-USUAL, and taking your money to the bank.
They are more interested in what’s going on in other people’s houses, and leaving theirs wide open. I honestly DON’T want to laugh at the two day retreat at the Crane Beach Resort for them to sit around and bull shit AS-USUAL.. This is very clear that the Government honestly DON’T have the taxpayer’s situation at heart. More than likely they are looking for other ways to get payed.
The Prime Minister has a house which is provided to him by the taxpayers. And the same way he can have parties and guest from other countries to stay there. He can have these same sorry excuse for a Government to stay there which for sure can be less expensive. Or even just spend the day and return the next day. It’s not as if they have to catch a flight to make it to Barbados. LARGE AND INCHARGE IS THE GOVERNMENT’S WAY OF LIFE. Take it,or for sure DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE IT. At the rate they are going without CHANGING THE WAY THEY CONDUCTING BUSINESS. The TAXPAYERS will continue to come up on the short end. I hope that before you elect others again that changes are in place to STOP this from happening all over again?
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Can you say “international pompasetting?”
These Pols and Civil Servant fellas love to be able to say,”I went to a Conference in Sydney and stayed at The Regent” Some dont even attend the meetings where avoidable, especially if they can procure a lil dalliance.
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David;
The point you make above must resonate with most of the populace. Yet, even as we have deteriorated to a shrinking “mauby” economy and thousands have been sent home, the government has had to renege on its basic trade marked “bread and butter” policies and Ministers sign on to patently unsound projects in pursuit of non existent foreign exchange, it appears that the high flying lifestyle of Politicians and even top Public servants is left untouched.
Perhaps what is needed to inform this debate is some transparency in the system and an explanation of why such high flying policies, that emphasize the negative aspects of “them vs. us”, are still being followed.
At least up to 15 years ago, and most likely still standing, the following features in overseas travel by Ministers and Government Officers on Government business obtained.
MInisters travelled 1st Class, i.e. at about 3 or more times the cost of economy class
Permanent Secretaries and officers of similar grade travelled Business Class i.e. at about 2 times the cost of economy class.
Other Public Servants travelled in economy class.
Government sought every means to restrict the overseas travelling of Public servants, sometimes including that of PS’ and Officers of equivalent grades, even to the extent of not permitting some Public servants to travel when there was absolutely no cost to the Government.
There was no evident concomitant restriction in travelling of Ministers.
Travel by MInisters is largely governed by International protocols. i.e. Whenever Ministers are travelling they are treated as high-level guests of the receiving country and treated to exceptional hospitality and security. Every country is obligated to extend such courtesies to any Minister arriving on its shores on Government business.
The procedures and protocols laid down for receiving Ministers in the country and providing security for them, etc. make it a bit difficult for MInisters to travel on Official business other than on First Class.
The link that David provided on David Cameron appears to be only related to Cameron’s private travelling at his own cost. It is somewhat inconceivable that Cameron would have travelled in similar style on Government business.
But is it possible to significantly reduce the Barbados Government’s overall travel budget in a way that they can demonstrate that they are bearing their fair share of the stringent economic cutbacks that only the general populace has to endure now?
I think so.
Some of the MInisterial and other meetings attended by Ministers can be significantly reduced by mandating that only absolutely necessary meetings are attended by Ministers. Thus Permanent Secretaries and a few Technical personnel can represent the Country at meetings where large teams of representatives now attend, at significantly lesser costs.
Remove certain facilities that allow Ministers to attend meetings in very exotic places accompanied by their spouses, once per year. Cut down the frequency of such entitlements or remove it altogether. But perhaps this has already been done.
Consider carefully a provision that ordinary Ministers would normally be allowed to travel on Official Business at no better than Business Class while the PM would travel First Class
Only permit the use of Business Class travel for Ministers and PSes where trips are over 5 hours. In other cases travel should be in Economy class.
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@David,
A copy of the Government Estimates of expenditure (obtained; at cost) from the Government Printing Office will answer many of the queries. The estimates of Revenue and expenditure lists the costs incurred in and by every government office, as well as revenue earned. There would not then be a need for all this speculation rumour etc. You would have the same facts as the accountant and auditors general.
Do any of you know which visits are paid for for by the country visited, the government visited, or the agencies that made the invitation? Do you know the importance of the visit? Are they important conferences; Heads of Governments, meetings with lenders, meetings with creditors, meetings regarding international agreements? How many of you on BU apart from Bushie (yard duck tea, Miller and sundry others have been in Government positions
Should the Leader of Opposition, travel in economy and have to struggle with luggage and immigration and customs officials, or should she have a diplomatic passport and be accorded that dignity.
A lot of you talk without putting your mouths in drive.
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@Are we there…,
You are perfectly correct in your assessment about protocols etc.The receiving countries welcoming delegation might demand that certain travel must follow strict guidelines, especially with regard to safety,personal or otherwise. But on another front, how can you negotiate or have meaningful discussions with persons of equal importance, international bureaucrats etc, and you have to come to them like a “boy in the yard”; they travel first or business class, and you have to be standing in a customs line while they pass you, go ahead to the meeting and you arrive late or stressed out because of events at the check in or check out. If there is an important conference on Taxation in Australia, and it cannot be video conferenced, do you expect the Minister of Finance or the Commissioner of Income or Land Tax to walk on water, not attend, or travel economy class for such a trip?
Have enough pride that even if you don’t have a cent in your pocket you can at least give the appearance that you have a million dollars. Nobody has to know that you don’t.
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Wonder who is paying for the Prime Minister’s upcoming overseas trip to speak at the DLP Canada 8th Annual Errol Barrow Memorial Dinner in Toronto on September 20; Taxpayer or Party.
http://dlpbarbadoscanada.com/event/8th-annual-errol-barrow-memorial-dinner/
Will the PM, George Pilgrim and the rest of his entourage (six policemen to ensure tight security?) be traveling first class or economy?
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It is impossible to prepare a budget and include ACTUAL revenues TO BE EARNED and expenses TO BE INCURRED, because a firm may not earn revenues as expected and prices usually fluctuate.
Therefore, government departments and statutory corporations prepare statements of PROJECTED revenues and expenditure (i.e. what these government entities EXPECT to earn and spend) during a given financial year. The “ESTIMATES,” which is similar to a mater budget, is a set of interconnected budgets from all government departments, quasi and statutory corporations.
Each government entity is given a “vote,” which is allocated to “heads” such as personal emoluments, other personal emoluments, supplies and materials, maintenance of property, travel, utilities, training, NIS, etc. When money allocated to a “head” is spent before the financial year has ended, the minister has to seek a supplementary vote.
As such, it is erroneous to suggest that “the ESTIMATES of revenue and expenditure will NOT answer many of the queries and DOES NOT “list the costs incurred in and by every government office, as well as revenue earned.” You must take note of the word “estimate.”
The Auditor General does NOT base his audits on the estimates, but on financial statements, since they will present a true representation of actual income and expenditure.
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I remember when Maxine McClean was tasked to answer why officials must travel when they can save some coppers and use technology to conference.This was around the time of the Samoa expedition.She simply summed up that they have to be there.I think they need to review the policy and try to put that rating about Barbados being a technology savvy island in the Americas to good use.The authorities talk about need innovation and productivity until the opportunity strikes.Then the public is wrapped across the knuckles that its not feasible.
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@Suckabubby,
Oh dear here we go again. I have to put in my mouth and set the record straight. A visit to the Ministry of Foreign affairs Conference room will show the equipment etc used for teleconferencing. in 2012, I and a number of authors and booksellers, went to Cuba to attend the Cuba Book fair. We (about eight of us were briefed by the Ambassador to Cuba on everything concerning our travel to Cuba;accommodation, value of the currency, steps to be taken in shipping books etc. This was done by teleconference. Despite what some of the uninitiated may feel, our Civil Servants in the main, are conscientious and spend judiciously. After all they also pay taxes to,o and therefore they would be wasting their own money.
Did you ever consider that if it was an international conference some of the other delegations in other countries might not have been so equipped.
@Artra,
Isn’t it true that when travel is undertaken the officers travelling have to account for funds expended (by filling out a form) and returning the form with receipts accounting for any expenditure? When they travel does’t the money come out of the treasury? Isn’t there an accounting officer in every department whose function is to account for funds expended, according to what is budgeted for?What are you trying to imply? Estimates are prepared before the budget is presented. After the vote is approved the accounting has to account for the expenditure. Unexpected things do occur; such as the tripling of certain costs when the ABC highway was widened. (Don’t make me have to go to the archives to defend myself.)
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Alvin Cummins August 20, 2015 at 2:58 PM #
“@Suckabubby,
Oh dear here we go again. I have to put in my mouth and set the record straight. A visit to the Ministry of Foreign affairs Conference room will show the equipment etc used for teleconferencing. in 2012, I and a number of authors and booksellers, went to Cuba to attend the Cuba Book fair.”
And I can show you an island full of canefields but that doesn’t mean anything is growing.A briefing about a conference and actually attending a conference is as night and day.And 2012???
“Did you ever consider that if it was an international conference some of the other delegations in other countries might not have been so equipped.”
Did you ever consider thats their problem and not ours?
If all that equipment is there ,Ms McClean should have said so instead of answering in a coarse bombastic tone of voice.
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@ Due Diligence,
In Canada we have agencies that protect visiting Heads of state. They will be “in the shadows” since it is not a ‘state visit”.
The PM is entitled to his own bag carriers but he wouldn’t need 6. lol
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@Suckabubby,
Do you agree that some conferences require government’ presence?If you and your representatives are bombastic in their approach, why would you expect the respondents to be meek, and shrinking violets. Why would you consider a robust answer to be bombastic.
She right!
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I am ALL for some Government Ministers travelling overseas, especially if they decide to not come back.
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Looka wunna, yuh doan unnerstand that likely some officialdom does need a lil hotel room to spend sum luvvin time wid ‘ac’..
😉
Yuh want Bushie tuh get all fuh himself?
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Beauty about that is, when he wifey call an ask, ‘how yuh doing out there in Thighland?’, he can truthfully answer, ‘darling, I spenning some time in ‘ac”……to which her answer will be ‘oh, its hot nuh?’ reply from officialdom ‘yes darling, real hot’….. hhaaaaaaaaaaaa
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Question is: How is remuneration received. Does the official pay first, and submit an expense account? Or does the government pay directly? Or does the official carry a government issued credit card with a limited LOC? Then depending on the answer you can look into inappropriate expenditures. But, in today’s economy government officials should set the example in a depressed economy. When travel is determined to be necessary, then it’s cost should be frugal. Another question, doesn’t the government get a deep discount from the airline doing business in it’s country? But, it seems that there is a defiant government attitude in we’ll do whatever we want, and you can’t do anything about it but make noise. No impeaching wrong doing in the house, etc. Just have to wait for the next election………………………….
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@racehrse,
Instead of speculating why don’t you check with a government department and see for yourself how it operates. You can then report first hand, how it was.
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Alvin Cummins August 20, 2015 at 6:36 PM #
“Do you agree that some conferences require government’ presence?”
No.
“Why would you consider a robust answer to be bombastic.
She right!”
Robust is when you have specifics, she didn’t.
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Pompasetting is the name of the game!
Basically that is all these inertia addled degenerates are good for.
Leaderless kleptocracy run amok.
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It was the DLP that started all of this overseas travel back in the 60’s. The original DLP ministers were always all over the globe, especially EWB
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The issue is not whether BLP or DLP ministers and public servants are traveling too frequently, it is the need for the government to be transparent about it.
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Attending conferences provide the opportunity for those attending to add to their income through access to the generous allowances per diem etc which they use as a means to an end. Although the allowances are guaranteed, some of them wouldn’t even travel unless they have their allowances in their hand no matter how important the conference according to their rationale.
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The simple way around all the speculation is to engage the public. Instead this Jack ass administration seems to believe that proper public relations consists of planting moles on social media to respond to speculation.It matters not how many mouths are in drive. Speak to the fact that the brain thrust of this admiinistration is stuck in reverse.
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Beside these expenses for travelling we should ask why we see so many “official” Mercedes in Barbados. In Barbados too many people drive Mercedes for free when the normal population can only afford a Toyota Yaris. If these officials had to work on the free market they won´t drive Mercedes. Officials should adapt their choice of vehicle to the current economic situation – and that is a bike to bring them in shape.
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Part of the issue is that these luxury vehicles are foisted on government wrapped in a deal government is too weak to reject.
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How were the diesel powered BMWs procured by government for cricket world cup disposed if? A check will exposed how these custodians if public funds operate.
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@ Alvin Cummins
Sir, have you ever known government to be cooperative when requesting information? Whether in person or by phone, they’d rather dismiss you from their offices for simply wearing shorts. (On an island) figure that one out. Or wearing camo. Silly rules for you, and me but they do anything they please. Look at the almost nude women that are allowed to jump at crop over. Government gone bad……………
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Crusoe wrote
I am ALL for some Government Ministers travelling overseas, especially if they decide to not come back.
SWEEEETTT!
Reminds me of myself at a Uni Meeting in like 1976 when the topic of certain students going to Sth Africa forced me to interupt proceedings in the Auditorium to say”I think they should go——————- on a ONE way Ticket!”
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@ Racehrs.
Reading your blog I can understand what is wrong with my island.
“Look at the almost nude women that are allowed to jump at crop over. Government gone bad…” You say.
What have the costumes at Crop-over got to do with government? Where is your consideration of the freedom we are constitutionally guaranteed? Do you want a restrictive government in the form of ISIS; that beheads people, that restricts the freedoms of women?
You don’t have to go in the office to get a copy of the estimates. The government printing office in Bay Street (part go Government headquarters) should have a copy for sale. Freedoms have limits though, because shorts with undershorts showing indicates a disdain for authority and an abhorrence of decency. They would be right to throw you out if you showed up like that. A polite, respectful demeanour will obtain the type of response suitable.
The young people took to wearing camo in the commission of crimes, with the result that the members of the Barbados Defence force were blamed for these crimes. The decision to ban the wearing of camo by anyone who is not a member of the BDF was the answer. You want the government to restrict what the women wear, but not ban camo. What are you? Why is the wearing of camo so important to you? Would you die if you did not have anything in camo? You talk about “them” doing anything they please? You have the freedom to do anything you please; as long as you understand that in any society there are laws, standards and guidelines restricting those freedoms and there are consequences for non adherence to them. Do what is right and you will have no trouble living in any society.
Wheel and come again.
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@ Alvin Cummins
No, reading your blog is what is wrong! Sounds like you have eaten at the government trough! The point is government feels like it owes no explanation to it’s citizens. No accountability. And BTW where were your auditors during the Clico fiasco, they couldn’t find $300,000…
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It is instructive that only idiots like Alvin, AC and Dompey seem to be able to ‘see’ the DLP’s perspective.
When you have people in government, ..who have shown themselves to be unable to resolve simple matters like the dismissal of the NCC ‘temporary’ workers after two years; who makes a meal of reducing staff in the BIDC; who admits to having no ideas on addressing the array of problems we face with crime…
…you KNOW that your ass is grass….
One has to wonder why they don’t just GO AWAY….
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Alvin Cummins August 20, 2015 at 2:58 PM #
Mr. Cummins, you obviously DO NOT have any knowledge of what budgeting entails and more so, accounting procedures, since you are confusing the entire process. Also, you are not familiar with the definitions of accounting terms such as “budget” and “estimate.” A BUDGET IS SIMPLY A LIST OF ESTIMATES.
Budgets/estimates are prepared for three main purposes: as a means of enhancing the business decision making process; FORECASTING income and expenditure and as a guideline to monitoring business performance.
It is also erroneous for you to suggest that an accountant’s function “is to account for funds expended, according to what is budgeted for.” Budgets are used by managers to monitor the performance of their respective departments. Accountants account for ACTUAL income and expenditure.
At the end of each month, the accountant prepares statements of ACTUAL income and expenditure for managers, who in turn use this information to make comparative analyses with the statements of budgeted income and expenditure, so as to identify areas where excess spending occurs, etc (performance monitoring).
Within the context of government, “The Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals” is a speech made, in many cases, by the minister of finance, in which he/she basically explains the domestic and international economic environments, how each sector of the economy performed within these prevailing environments and outlines proposals government intends to implement to ensure social and economic development.
Unfortunately, by mentioning “Unexpected things do occur; such as the tripling of certain costs when the ABC highway was widened,” you have entered into the depths of political tribalism.
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David, have you and your team started to troll through the email dumps from the Ashley Madison website of ‘Life is short. Have an affair’ sloganed fame to see which Bajan .gov’t emails or otherwise familiar local names were signed up?
Surely with all this travel brouhaha stuff the guys and girls of the Civil Service may have used some seminar down-time for safe social “affairs” of the type proposed on that website. LOL.
Realistically, what people do with their own time is really their own business if its legal, but stuff like this is so salaciously funny. Oh lawd, the perils of a modern life.
And don’t look for my email there, you will not find it. LOL.
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Artax, you are being a bit harsh on Cummings I suggest. Surely he understands the budget/estimates/accounting principles and practices. Afterall the gentleman says he has attended uni to complete different studies and during those stints he must have done at least one business principles course.
Couple that with his long involvement in the business of politics and it’s reasonable to think that he must be au fait with what you espoused.
So it comes down to your final comment that ” [he has fallen] into the depths of political tribalism”.
He just dismisses all reasonable and practical perspectives for his beloved DLP even when he knows he flies in the face of common sense and common knowledge.
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Didn’t Alvin serve as an Intervener on the PUB and FTC on several occasions? Shouldn’t he know the meaning of estimates,budgets and forecasts?
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@Artra et al, including Yard Duck Bushie.
Before I left the island, many years ago, to go and further my studies, I was was senior accounts clerk in the department of health. As a Civil servant, (for over eight years) I worked in Education, Labour, Health and at the hospital. Part of my duties in Health was to prepare annual estimates of expenditure; that is estimating what funds would be required for the coming year. and prepare the annual budget for the department If we needed to purchase new vans, to determine the funds what would be required to purchase the one or two, or three vans and JUSTIFY why they had to be purchased. I had to determine how many doses of Vaccines would likely be required, costs etc, for the year. I was required to meet with the P.S. in charge of the department, and go into the house of assembly, when the particular head was being debated, so that I would be present when questions might be asked. This is a practice,used by each department, or ministry, that at present may be discontinued, I don’t know, but the head of department still has to account for the proposed expenditure. Based on these estimates the necessary funds would be budgeted for. If I am not mistaken this is still the method by which the budget is prepared for presentation in the House, when they are seeking funds from the Consolidated funds for functioning. If this is presently (within the last few months)not done then tell me the method used. I know about budgeting, etc. (leave it at that.) I’ll just say that in these dAYS OF TECHNOLOGY, NO ACCOUNTANT has to wait until the end of the month to be up to date with actual expenditure and revenue. If the system is set up properly this information is accessed instantly. I might also add that I have been treasurer of an NGO for the past four years and the financial statements are always audited by a qualified auditor and submitted to government on time.
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2Racehrse:
CLICO is a private company. Government auditors have no business in their offices.
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@Artra, race hrse, et al.
Ah what the heck!: Certificate ..Public Administration, From the University of Toronto.(Canada)
Certificate in Hospital and Health Care Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, (Canada) Had to do Accounting in each course.
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@Alvin–CLICO is a private company. Government auditors have no business in their offices.
Alvin, please tell me you are not serious!
All Financial Instutions MUST BE tightly controlled by Government Audits. In Canada as a Financial person, my Corp is audited by both the Ontario Securities Commission and the Super of Insurance, and correctly so as even the very largest Institutions conduct themselves dishonourably if left to their own devices. Case in point in 2008, major Life
Assurance Corps in TO were audited and the Super had them call the Banks to arrange massive loans ie $5BN+ immediately! This industry in Canada HAD an excellent Global Rep.
Lacks Monitoring and Controls by Govt is EXACTLY why CLICO is a Massive Mess! Any experienced person examining the GARBAGE product that caused this mess could have put a stop to it! I have sicked the Authorities on financial criminals before and sometimes because it appears a lil grey they watch and wait, usually until many are hurt and complain.
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hope alvin Cummins credentials and his employment history would close the clap traps of the BLP orangutans who just can.t get over the fact that people ideas and philosophies can be of their own thinking even though at times aligned with an organization.
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@ Money Brain.
Government auditors do not go into the auditing of private companies. The Supervisor of Insurance is to supervise the companies. If he does his job he should pick up any infelicities right away. In this case the Supervisor of Insurance; From the time this fiasco began, went after the wrong person. I have said it before a check of the Organization chart of CLICO(the parent company) shows who should have been held responsible long ago. This thing did not begin under the DLP. It began during the reign of King Arthur; ably assisted by his deputy. What did the Supervisor of Insurance report to them? What action did they take?
By the way, what about Manufacturers Life Ins. located right on Bloor St. East near Yonge Street? What happened with them
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Alvin
I was alluding to Manufacturers LI, they needed the $5bn injection in Dec 1980. Government employees are supposed to conduct the audit at the end of the day.
CLICO should never of happened and if King A is involved he and ALL concerned should be prosecuted to the FULL extent of the Law and I mean harshly. There is nothing worse than teefing seniors $$$$$$ and placing them in the catfood aisle. Could be wusser than murdering them as they have to experience long term misery!
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@ Alvin
I don’t think Parris received any Clico funds from Arthur BLP, I think it was Thompson DLP.
@ ac
You missed the point too! Nothing to do with Alvin’s credentials. It’s about the government you both choose to follow. Go read their manifesto, and see what they have lived up to so far!
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Aye, Alvin Cummins. You miss me, sweetie. I am back from a very nice holiday in my beloved island. Gosh, I must admit Barbados is a lovely rock but could not help notice how run down and garbagegee things have become. Also, too, I notice the moment I hop off the plane how miserable looking folks appear to be. Anyway, crop over was the hoop la and foreday morning jam, mmm let us just say it is a great precursor to the main event Crop over. Bajan men are such horny devils. So as per usual Alvin Mr, Wash pan qualifications pelting them out there so to convince others of his great wealth of knowledge and experience. Agenda clear, defend these despicable, insulting dictators at all cost. Sounds very much like Alvin Cummin’s style of doing business. Lord, I got some more to throw in he pooch hole but all in good time. Alvin dear stay tune for, ”T-Day because this is your life. Later hon.
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@ Racehrse.
The BLP government was in power when the EFPAs were being issued and invested in by money managers. The Supervisor of Insurance was aware also that the level of the reserves of CLICO, required by law, was not to that required by law. I NEVER said or indicated in ANY way that Arthur received CLICO funds from CLICO or Parris. As Prime Minister at the time he should have taken steps. The DLP had not been elected yet and Thompson was still working as a lawyer in his law firm; working for his client Parris.
The BLP has to bear a great deal of responsibility for the fiasco. As I have said before, the DLP always has to clean up the mess when the BLP has to leave office. CLICO started when they were in office.
@Hants;
I am not sure how much you know of the issue; outside of the politics.
The Flexible Premium Annuities (FPA), and the Executive Flexible Premium Annuities (EFPAs) offered higher % returns on the investments (Good old Ponzi) and a lot of people invested (gambled). The scheme collapsed. Result a lot of people were left holding the bag. Trinidad government spent billions (T&T) bailing out their people. Caribbean governments still trying to work out the way to solve the tangled web necessary to help everybody else in the branches of the Caribbean countries. Difficulty,,,no funds in the governments’ coffers.
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“Alvin Cummins August 22, 2015 at 1:13 AM #
@ Racehrse.
The BLP government was in power when the EFPAs were being issued and invested in by money managers. The Supervisor of Insurance was aware also that the level of the reserves of CLICO, required by law, was not to that required by law. I NEVER said or indicated in ANY way that Arthur received CLICO funds from CLICO or Parris. As Prime Minister at the time he should have taken steps. The DLP had not been elected yet and Thompson was still working as a lawyer in his law firm; working for his client Parris.
The BLP has to bear a great deal of responsibility for the fiasco. As I have said before, the DLP always has to clean up the mess when the BLP has to leave office. CLICO started when they were in office.”
Mr Cummings in your effort again to give your beloved party a pass on mismanagement you rightly but conveniently choose to place the blame for me not having been able to claim the $22000. due me on my matured policies on a Government thrown out of office by the electorate for mismanagement because a DLP led administration by Mr David Thompson convinced us that they could and would do better. History has now proved otherwise. Perhaps my naivety led me to believe Mr Thompson when he said he would not lie cheat or steal and when he said CLICO was a well run company and injected ten million dollars of taxpayers money into the company to prove to Barbadians that he had confidence in the company but I believed.
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Not only is Cummings giving his ” beloved party a pass on mismanagement” but he is brazenly condoning the unethical behaviour of its leader Thompson.
If “The Supervisor of Insurance was aware …that [CLICO] level of the reserves…was not to that required by law” when their attorney Mr Thompson was working for them then he knew this too and also their other operational issues.
Yet Mr Cummings is content that despite Thompson’s clear knowledge of CLICO’s operational stability or lack thereof he had no issue whatever making assertions to the Bajan electorate to the contrary and then by his conspiratorial machinations effectively moving the sum of $3.3M from the Barbados Treasury to his own law firm while the sitting PM.
In the US during the financial bailout crisis the actions of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson who was a former CEO of Goldman Sachs and thus a powerful Wall St banker came under careful scrutiny. A scrutiny borne of concerns that he manipulated bailout funds in order to also benefit himself or associates. There were no such links found as his divestment was comprehensive and apparently iron-clad.
Thompson was supposedly divested from his previous business as an attorney for CLICO too, yet he was able to move that $3.3M check to an account at the firm unbeknownst, it is said, to anyone else there.
That’s unethical. That’s fraudulent. That’s criminal.
So based on the actions laid out in the Judicial Manager’s report, our PM’s estate would be embroiled in numerous lawsuits if this was a US jurisdiction and with Cummings’ long list of accomplishments re financial management he knows this.
Yet again he chooses to display his standard disgusting dishonesty re all things DLP.
One wonders why he notes his certification when he clearly has no ability to use any of the knowledge objectively. Waste of frigging time and energy!
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If a society cannot trust its elders to impart knowledge by dint of experience to add value to improving live why bother to get old.
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Oh dear me! David I hope to get ‘old’ or in my case ‘older’ and hopefully be able to maintain my objectivity and ideally to ‘add value to improving’ life, so that statement above re trusting elders is COLD! LOL.
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@David,
Nothing wrong with getting old and even old and foolish.
You just have to know your limitations.
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@ SSS
Imagine This.
You come all the way to Barbados and you ent even come and say nuffin to de ole man!!
Den you gone back and come here to BU and ent say nuffin to me or the nex fellow who trying to likted you, I is not going mention he name, he know who he is, and you ent even say nuffin to me nor he but you hailing Alvin Cummins!!
I dun wid you…you hurt do ole man feelings
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On getting ole…
It is said that wisdom comes with getting old, de ole man ent know causing wunna dun see dat I is not wise at all…
But I gine try a ting here regarding the phenomena of thievery that is endemic in these acts of larceny and state supported embezzlement.
Walk wid de ole man for a little bit …
Imagine me a lacklustre man/woman with little common sense, nor any particular ability to perform any act of import and impact, in my substantive job. Whu somtimes some uh we ent even gots a job!!
I am a lawyer who takes 20 years to resolve the estate of Antionette Thompson, long dead and turned to dust and while it is evident that I, as a singularly incompetent lawyer, would have been relegated to the shadows of existence, up comes death, and removes another similarly incompetent bungler from the PM position and jes so, I inherit that seat,
Wunna grudgeful minded Bajans can bet your last dollar that I WILL NOT RELINQUISH THESE REIGNS WITHOUT A SERIOUS FIGHT
Now go through the list of these “singularly sterile performers”, Garner, Payne, Nitwit Bratwit, Prescod, Toppin, Marshall, Boyce, Stinkliar, call any name from either camp and I you listen you will hear the resounding sound of the national psyche pointing the finger of Guilt straight at you and me.
The voice says “Thou are the one who voted them skunt in”
So we establish that these are “non-performers”, people who we, you and I brass bowls have given “the keys to our purse strings”.
And no, we did not do this unwittingly, we did it knowingly, with “malice aforethought”, and have so done, every five years, since independence.
Now back to dese stellar under-performers dat we elect.
Dem know dat dem dint no braniacs at school and along come an opportunity that can mek dem some money, if dem play dem cards right. MP car, expense allowance, cell phones fuh we en we family, LIME and FlOW paying fuh dat (I ent say Toppin nor kickbacks) but de pint dat I tryng to mek is dat dese menses and wummens ent got a chance of a snow-cone in Hell to mek a living, furder-more be independently wealthy IF DEM DID REMAIN IN DEM SUBSTANTIVE PLACES OF EMPLOY!!
Add to dat de fak dat dem is no Newtons!! I did say dat already right? I ole so i ent gine recall evah ting!!
So along come dis election situation dat you and me does engage wid dem and for dem every five years, wid a clause date tell dem as long as wunna do 10 years we guaranteed wunna pension. So we put de management uh we collective skunts in de hands of dese stellar under-performers, wid dese ministerial travel perks and we cant unnerstand why it feel like a fellow squeezing we collective delicates (now mind you I did not say nuffing bout WeJonesing!! ef a fellow like squeezing a next fellow balses dat is he business!!)
Finally, add dis to the mix.
When you is an idjit and you getting old, whu is you prospects fuh a proper paying job?
Wunna gots to be fair.
If dese under-performers did remain in dem substantive jobs, dem wudda get ole like de ole man, AND DEADED, in obscurity widout a pension, and unable to mek ends meet like thousands uh we pensioners “far from the maddening crowd”.
We put dem into the limelight skippa so when dem is squeezing we delicates by flying bout wid dem outside womens, and menses, and in-betweeners, all de ole man gine recommend is cricket balls guards (dem is some for ladies too) so dat when dem squeezing we can pretend to grimace, causing jes tinking bout de daily squeezing dem putting pun we done give de ole man a headche
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“David August 21, 2015 at 4:13 PM #: Didn’t Alvin serve as an Intervener on the PUB and FTC on several occasions? Shouldn’t he know the meaning of estimates,budgets and forecasts?”
So was Malcolm Gibbs-Taitt…….. so what is your point?
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@ Cummins
First things first, my sobriquet on BU is ARTAXERXES……. NOT “Artra” so PLEASE use the correct name.
I was employed as an accountant in the civil service, therefore I’m fully aware of government’s accounting procedures. The duties you mentioned performing are performed by the Accountant and not a senior clerk in the accounts department.
Also, Caswell can correct me if I’m wrong, but there is no post I’m aware of in the civil service such as “senior accounts clerk.” You were either a clerical officer or a senior clerk.
Secondly, I NEVER mentioned that “NO ACCOUNTANT has to wait until the end of the month to be up to date with actual expenditure and revenue.” Hence, your comments pertaining to this matter are blatantly UNTRUE.
You have a propensity to interpret other individuals’ contributions to suit your purpose so as to facilitate a reply that either boosts your ego or is in defence of the DLP.
As such, it is pointless engaging you in a “discussion,” since you always attempt to change the issue into a topic about YOU (how many books YOU wrote, where YOU worked, what YOU did, what YOU achieved, etc.), or the DLP.
Okay, three cheers for you for gaining a “Certificate …Public Administration, From the University of Toronto, (Canada).” And I’m an ACCA qualified chartered accountant.
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@ Cummins
You also mentioned that “the DLP always has to clean up the mess when the BLP has to leave office.” However, you conveniently forgot to mention the “mess” the DLP CREATES while cleaning up the mess.
For example, shortly after the 2008 general elections, the DLP unscrupulously terminated the services of many employees of statutory corporations to employ DLP supporters. Remember, Thompson said, “The fatted calf, under David Thompson’s watch, will be slaughtered and shared among those of you who have stood this course…”
Fortunately, those terminated persons were able to successfully sue the government for wrongful dismissal and were awarded millions of dollars in compensation.
One case that immediately comes to mind is that of former RDC director, Peter Scott. Scott was stopped on the ABC highway, on his way to work, and given a letter informing him he was being sent on leave until further notice. He subsequently sued for wrongful dismissal and awarded $1.7M with 6% interest, retroactive from April 2010, with an additional $100,000 in damages for public humiliation.
“Justice Sonia Richards, in a case brought by dismissed director of the Rural Development Commission (RDC) Peter Scott, ordered the Government agency to pay him damages for loss of earnings that amount to the salary he would have received until November 2021 when he would have retired.” [Daily Nation – November 11, 2014]
Another exapmple is former UDC director, George Edghill. He was awarded over $800,000 in damages for wrongful dismissal as well.
“More than four years after having his five-year contract terminated by a then new Democratic Labour Party administration Edghill is to receive $809,744,43 plus six per cent interest per annum. At the time he had been in the post for just six months.” [Barbados Today – September 24, 2012]
The Treasury was forced to part with millions of dollars to pay damages to persons who were wrongfully terminated and to employ DLP lackeys who were employed to replace them.
These are just some of many thoughtless and emotional decisions made by Thompson for which the taxpayers of Barbados have to pay the cost.
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“These are just some of many thoughtless and emotional decisions made by Thompson for which the taxpayers of Barbados have to pay the cost.”
Like the thoughtless and emotional ‘ever so welcome wait for the call decision’ to root out the Guyanese from Barbados.
Bushie and David stay out of this.
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Remember it is not always what you do but how you do it
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My sweet piece
I am so sorry hon. I came just days before foreday and crop over. After that, I had so much to do and so many invitations for lunches and dinners. My friends would not let me come up for air. Believe me, I have a lot of friends, both high and low and they had a lot to tell. What you been doing piece? Hope you are fine. At least you are one seeing eye old fella that support facts and not nonsense.
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@ sweet Piece
As you know, I have placed Alvin on my list of those who do not really love their island. They just love themselves, their ability to support their prestiges and defend their nonsenses and the nonsense of others. Unlike him, I have said on here that you could not be more DLP than me. On the other hand, you cannot despise the doings of the BLP and be opposed to them more than me. But the SSS believes in doing what is right even if it means having to behave in a way that may appear to others as very bad and wrong. At the end of the day, I am that I am. And I am not the sweetest girl, nor one who will tell you up front, I am a lady. All on here know what I say and what I give. I do not have to pretend. I am me. We have people on here who are party loyalist. Loyal to the point that even if their party does shite, they say: it’s all in the toilet paper and the procedures involve in the WIPE. I cannot respect that or them.Because for me: If it is ugly how the heck can it be good looking; If it is shitey how the heck can it not smell buppy; if it chose to operate like it corrupt how can it avoid not being ridiculed as being corrupt; If it appears shady and behave shady how the heck can you say its appropriate conduct. Alvin Cummins paints that type of picture in the nonsense he throws out on this blog in defense of party and not country. It is the same nonsense that made me tarnish the ass of the other AC, who, come what may, will defend to the bitter end, the doings and dabblings of an administration that have done immense damage to themselves personally and to their image as a party in the whole. Who behaves like a dictator, remain silent as a leader, defends in disdain and expects to be praise for such negative conduct. These are things that cannot be ignored. These are injurious dispositional traits that have affected the society and are the catayst of poor country management now fueling a set of social ills we are now having to deal with on the island that made many of us what we are today. Yet you have people on here who refuse to call a spade a spade because they pledge their allegiance to defend and remain faithful to their puppet masters. Sorry, that ain’t me and will never be. You can only accuse me of being a filthy bitch and I prefer to be a bitch and remain true to myself rather than be a pretentender walking about under the cloak of uprightness making everyone believe that I am good. Sorry either you are hot or cold. Luke warm is too dangerous a position that lacks integrity.
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@ SSS
I have grown to respect the position and the reasoning behind it. May the wind always be at your back and while I regret not seeing you while you were at the foreday movementations, (de ole man cant go to them tings, Hants will, in addition to Donna, (she is a new lady here) will explain why, aided and abetted by Lawson, it is always a pleasure to see and hear you here.
DO NOT FLINCH FROM THE CAUSE!!
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My sweet piece
Even if I had allowed you to see me, how the heck would you have been able to hold me down LOL. ? Do you not know that my type of wine might be too strong to handle your type of skin LMAO. However, it would have made for an interesting encounter. Who is this Donna that you are referring too here. Is she a bad ass or a pretender like all the ACs on here? Do you know that Alvin Cummins is trying to get me lock up? I think it has something to do with defamation of character. He’s been trying to connect the dots.
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I saw a clip of the DLP’s conference on DLPTV tonight. Were these few people shown only the ones who attended? Where have all the dems gone? The attendees certainly did not look as though they were at a 60th celebratory event!
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@ Prodigal
Skippa, even the damn ministers shame as shiite to show dem faces in pub-a-lick… far less the yardfowls…
Wuh even AC like she avoid um….. 🙂
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Prodigal Son August 23, 2015 at 9:55 PM #
“I saw a clip of the DLP’s conference on DLPTV tonight. Were these few people shown only the ones who attended? Where have all the dems gone? The attendees certainly did not look as though they were at a 60th celebratory event!”
Prodigal, you mean not even some of the 200 new members George Pilgrim said joined the party lately?
Interestingly, the theme of the DEMS’ 60th anniversary celebrations is: “Celebrating 60, IT’S ALL ABOUT MEMBERS.” Imagine that? After sharing the “fatted calf” among members and supporters during the past 7 years, the DEMS are not ashamed to ADMIT “it’s all about MEMBERS.”
They named schools, polyclinics, buildings, roads after former DLP politicians and supporters; giving “free money” to losers like Esther Byer, Patrick Todd, Harcourt Husbands and Hanyesley Benn, as well as two time losers, Irene Sandiford-Garner and Jeptar Ince; appointed Philip Greaves as acting governor general; created the unnecessary post of “Caricom Ambassador” to appease Dennis Kellman and reward Bobby Morris for being the 2013 election campaign manager; employed Maureen Holder and John Lovell for public relations purposes and re-employing Dale Forde at CBC; appointing prominent DEM Sandra Forde as general manager of the Transport Board; appointing a retired man in the twilight of his years, Tony Marshall, the ambassador to the UN…………. the list can go on and on and on.
Unfortunately, after being retrenched over 1 year ago the former Beautify Barbados employees are yet to receive their severance pay and the former NCC employees’ case is yet to be heard at the ERT (even after Stuart referred the matter to a non-existent tribunal in the first place).
Yes, Prodigal, it’s NOT about the PEOPLE of Barbados, “it’s all about MEMBERS.”
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Prodigal Son August 23, 2015 at 9:55 PM #
Prodigal, the DEMS “ain’t got no shame atall, atall.” I had to “laugh out loud” at the below information pertaining to the celebrations, which was found on the DLP’s web-site:
“A number of reports and resolutions will be discussed during the conference.” “These reports will provide valuable insight into the work that this DLP administration continues to do as we create a Barbados which is socially balanced, environmentally sound, economically viable and characterised by good governance.”
Hahahaha! oh lawd! B.G.U.R!!!! ……… “the work this DLP administration CONTINUES to do as we CREATE a Barbados which is SOCIALLY BALANCED, ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND, ECONOMICALLY VIABLE and characterised by GOOD GOVERNANCE.”
Hahahahahaha! wuh loss! Murder! muh belly!
How can Barbados be SOCIALLY BALANCED when certain individuals are receiving the majority of government contracts; Trans-Tech continues to fix Transport Board buses and SSA trucks, while UCAL are given less buses to repair and employees continue not to be paid on time due to the debt owed to the company by the TB; poor people have been denied the opportunity to gain tertiary level education; over 4,000 civil servants retrenched; civil servants not given a salary increase during the past 6 years, while the cost of living and inflation continues to rise, and people awaiting tax refunds, in some cases, since 2012.
We all know what the DLP’s idea of an “ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND” Barbados is about. Cahill is a perfect example.
Against the background of the medium term fiscal and medium term development strategies failing to achieve their objectives (ask Delisle Worrell, um is he who say so); a lack of innovative and sustainable economic policies, which led to numerous credit rating downgrades (ask David Estwick); lack of investor confidence; an over taxed society, how (at this stage) can Barbados be described as being ECONOMICAL VIABLE?”
The DEMS promised to introduce integrity and freedom of information legislation immediately after being elected IN 2008 and parliamentarians to declare their assets and sign a code of good conduct………. 7 years on, they have FAILED to do such; a DLP affiliated lawyer charging $766, 855.24 for a job for Barbados Caves that was previously done for $17,000 with no reprimand from Denis Lowe (the CEO was subsequently dismissed and replaced by Bobby Morris’ son, Rovell Morris). The others??? ……… too numerous to mention.
Now they are demonstrating their arrogance by mentioning “GOOD GOVERNANCE.”
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@David,
“North American markets were reacting to deep sell-offs on Asian and European markets. China’s main index sank 8.5 per cent — its biggest drop since the early days of the 2008 global financial crisis — amid deepening fears over the health of the world’s second-largest economy.”
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@ The Yard ducks,
You mention the “people given choice portions of “the fatted calf,” are these not Bajans? Haven’t the BLP supporters also been given choice jobs during the 15 years of BLP governance? Where is Liz thompson?
At the beginning of the CLICO debacle, wasn’t David Thompson’ working as Leroy Parris’s Lawyer and not a CLICO lawyer? There is a difference in law, a subtle difference, but a difference no less. Please explain why you claim that Thompaon removed 3.3 million from the “Barbados Treasury and transferred it. That money was paid by CLICO to Parris for services rendered.
Balance,
at least you admit that I “rightly…put the blame on a government that was thrown out of office for mismanagement,” but you should sue Lawrence Duprey for your pension, not the Government of Barbados. CLICO was his baby from its inception. CLICO was a private
company.
Integrity legislation was promised by the BLP: remember when Mia got up in the house and purported to list her assets. It was never introduced during your terms in office. Surely if you folks were serious it could not have taken 15 years to draft the necessary legislation. Or did this thought about this type of legislation only come to your consciousness when the DLP won the government. I agree it should have been passed by now, but you are not blameless. By the way where was this talk about “freedom of information legislation”
during the election campaigns?
Numerous downgrades? How many during your terms in office? Did ANY occur during those years? Oh, the Caves! You really want to talk about that? I don’t think so.
UCAL? Tell me when it started and why.
@SSS,
Dots connected. All in good time!!I If greedy wait hot will cool, except I am not greedy. I am a VERY patient man.
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No one has to wait for Pols to be CORRUPT they are, and they are so regardless of Party, Political Philosophy or Nation, the only question is extent. The whole reason for being in Politics is to have power over people and enhance their Net Worth.
Most Pols dont give a RAHTEEEEEED about anybody unless they serve as a means to their objectives ie Votes/ Re-election. How come Putin is one of the richest men on Earth like $100 + BN??????
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Artaxerxes,
Boy, if yuh doan laugh yuh would cry! Wuhlaus! When this stuff was read how could they keep a straight face?
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@Artaxerxes August 24, 2015 at 7:25 AM “this DLP administration continues to do as we create a Barbados which is socially balanced, environmentally sound, economically viable and characterised by good governance.”
Lotta long talk.
Stupseee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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@ Cummins, the DLP Himaar
Why do you DLP himaars always try to change the context of any “discussion” on BU, into a DLP versus BLP scenario? I have mentioned in a previous post that you have the propensity to interpret other individuals’ contributions to suit your narrow political objectives and respond to defend the DLP as well as to boost your ego.
Your attempt to defend the indefensible is not only pathetic but you go about the undertaking in an immature manner. If anyone criticizes the DLP on any issue, your general retort is “the BLP did so and so, too.” That is so juvenile for a man your age.
BLP or DLP giving jobs to primarily to supporters is WRONG and should not be condoned by Barbadians. When elected, each party has an obligation to HELP ALL BARBADIANS and not ONLY party supporters.
Firstly, the following excerpt was taken from the Friday, December 3, 2010 edition of the weekend Nation newspaper:
“Former cabinet minister Elizabeth Thompson is joining the United Nations in New York as an executive coordinator for the next global conference on sustainable development. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY AT UN HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK BY FARHAN HAQ, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who also announced that Brice Lalond….”
“UN sources said that Thompson’s “outstanding performance” DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS AND THE ROUND OF INTERVIEWS for the previous post put her on track for this newly created position which is based at UN headquarters in New York.
Surely you must agree that the BLP was the Opposition in 2010 and her appointment was ANNOUNCED by the UN and NOT the BLP.
Secondly, you are correct in stating that the BLP promised to introduce integrity legislation. In 1975, the then, Leader of the Opposition, J.M.G.M. Adams, tabled a resolution in Parliament calling upon the Government to introduce legislation to compel members of Parliament to disclose their assets. Adams subsequently introduced Integrity in Public Life Bill in Parliament in 1979 when he was PM. As such, the BLP is equally to blame for not introducing ITAL.
However, when Mia Mottley “got up in the house and purported to list her assets,” it was on July 09, 2008 DURING HER RESPONSE to Thompson’s budget speech. Surely you must admit that Mottley is the first parliamentarian to publically declare assets.
She challenged government MPs to do likewise, thereby exposing Thompson on the foolhardiness of attempting to implement ITAL within 100 days of assuming office.
It is now August 24, 2010, five years and 1 month after, and no DLP MP has DECLARED his/her assets as yet.
Shame on you!!
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@Hants
The volatility caused by uncertainty out of China shows how interconnected the global market is today. Hopefully Trump will be elected and the US demand will pick up the slack.
@Alvin
Are for real? Why was the BLP voted out again?
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@Artraxerxes,
Your words:”…It is now August 24, 2010, five years and 1 month after…”
“Shame on you.”
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@ Cummins, the DLP Himaar
Thirdly, the talk about Integrity, Transparency and Accountability Legislation (ITAL), came from David Thompson during the 2008 election campaign.
On Thursday, January 03, 2008, Thompson held a media conference during which he distributed documents outlining a legal proposal to promote accountability, transparency and accountability in public life and fight corruption.
He also promised that the Ministerial Code would take effect immediately after a DLP government is elected and The Freedom of Information Act and Integrity Legislation would be implemented within the first 100 days in office.
Furthermore, perhaps you should read pages 46 to 48 of the DLP’s 2008 election manifesto under the caption “22: Good Governance” to avail yourself of the information contained therein.
Likewise, and if they were serious, the DLP could have used the 14 years in opposition to draft ITAL. And as such, if you were to add those 14 years to their 7 years in office, it gives the DLP 21 years to adequately prepare the legislation and have it ready for parliament.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fourthly, let us discuss the downgrades. Although Barbados may have experienced downgrades during the BLP’s terms in office, I have not found any information to suggest the credit rating was downgraded to a magnitude of junk bond status. Now, that is the difference.
New York, May 14, 2009 — Moody’s Investors Service has placed Barbados’ government bond ratings on review for possible downgrade in order to assess the credit impact of further deterioration in the country’s debt metrics in the coming years.
New York, October 13, 2009: Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Barbados’ government bond ratings following several years of deterioration in credit metrics. The Baa2 foreign currency government bond rating and the A3 local currency government bond rating were downgraded to Baa3 and Baa2, respectively.
New York, June 13, 2011: Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the Government of Barbados’ domestic currency rating to Baa3 from Baa2. The Baa3 foreign currency bond rating has been affirmed. The outlook on both ratings has been revised to negative.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012: Standard & Poor’s downgraded the country’s national debt to junk bond status in 13 terrible words: “We have lowered our sovereign credit ratings on Barbados to ‘BB+/B’ from ‘BBB-/A-3’.”
New York, December 20, 2012: Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the Government of Barbados’ foreign and local currency bond ratings to Ba1 from Baa3. The outlook remains negative.
New York, June 02, 2014: Moody’s Investors Service has today downgraded Barbados’ government bond rating to B3 from Ba3. The outlook remains negative.
Friday, December 19, 2014: Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Ratings Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit ratings on Barbados to ‘B’ from ‘BB-‘. The outlook is negative. The country’s ‘B’ short-term sovereign credit rating was affirmed. However, the transfer and convertibility assessment was also lowered to ‘B’ from ‘BB-‘.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014: Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), which is based in Trinidad and Tobago, said that it dropped by two notches the island’s rating on the Government debt issue of Bds$600 million to CariA- from CariA+ and a CariA on the local currency down from CariAA-.
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@ Cummins, the DLP Himaar
According to information received from my mates who are employed by UCAL, that organization was created after the Transport Board closed its maintenance department. The then government allowed the former workers to form “United Commercial Autoworks Limited” and sub-contracted the bus repairs to that company. It must also be noted that Leroy Trotman is the chairman of UCAL.
Now, if you have information to the contrary, so be it.
Unfortunately, after much talk about ENTREPRENEURSHIP, this DLP administration had the perfect opportunity to assist those retrenched former NCC, Drainage and Beautify Barbados employees to endeavor in an undertaking similar to UCAL, while guaranteeing them sub-contracts to clean the highways and drains, thereby creating a set of entrepreneurs.
Instead, this DLP administration sub-contracted all that work to one of their financiers, Mark Maloney. And the matter pertaining to the former NCC workers is yet to be heard by the ERT and the former Beautify Barbados employees are yet to receive their severance more than a year after they were retrenched.
Cummins, it seems as though you live by the rule “if an individual criticizes of the DLP, he/she has to be a BLP.” There are those of us who think independently and without political bias.
Finally, Cummins your attempts, like so many other DLP supporters that come to BU to defend shiite, are very weak.
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@Artaxerxes,
Re above blog, sorry I spelt it wrong. Won’t happen again.
I read your contribution carefully. Won’t comment although you have some things slightly out of context. Example, Does the last paragraph refer to T&T or Barbados? People get on as if Barbados (under the DLP) is the only place that gets downgraded.
DLP could have used the 14 years in opposition to draft legislation, etc. 14 years in opposition… first 5 years of opposition…2 members in Parliament. Members elected Dennis Kelman and David Thompson…Party in confusion and turmoil. Branford Taitt is booed at elections for leader of the party..Clyde Mascoll leader of Party. Next five years party wins seven seats…Party still in confusion..Mascoll leaves party and joins BLP. more confusion; Politics of inclusion. etc.
As I have admitted, and said, they could have and should have passed that legislation when they won in 2008, but what happened soon after the election victory?
but…
By the way where was Dorcy Boyce before he was appointed a minister in the DLP administration?
Anyhow, IDWD!
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Alvin Cummins August 24, 2015 at 9:05 PM #
“@Artraxerxes: Your words:”…It is now August 24, 2010, five years and 1 month after…” “Shame on you.”…”
You are such a jack-ass grabbing at straws. Obviously I meant 2015, but in any case, the DEMS was the government in 2010 and 5 years after you are still the government.
Come on, for a man who professes to be an author, surely you can do much better than this.
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David, your remarks “The volatility caused by uncertainty out of China shows how interconnected the global market is today. Hopefully Trump will be elected and the US demand will pick up the slack” are perplexingly strange.
How would a Trump presidency cause US demand to pickup?
What strategies will he be able to implement as a President or policies will be initiate that will cause the Chinese to import more US goods and stop all the American firms from importing from their factories in China and returning stateside?
Please enlighten me?
And what exactly happened today that basically does not happen daily in the interconnected world of finance?
Yes the market hit some unprecedented lows before climbing back somewhat but isn’t volatility a natural aspect of markets and particularly modern markets which are more devoid of human intervention and where many buy-sell orders are automated. An aspect in itself which drives many of these grievous swings.
And btw I still do not expect him to get his party’s nomination. It’s great to make pretty speeches and say that you will build a wall, but when pressed by a journalist on HOW and details if your response is to the effect ‘I will employ managers to manage this process. These politicians only have hacks who know nothing about executing’. Words to that effect were his astute response on ABC’s ‘This Week’ Sunday political program.
Help me understand what it is you see that the Donald will do so differently and well to improve the US trade v China.
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Alvin Cummins August 24, 2015 at 9:44 PM #
“I read your contribution carefully. Won’t comment although you have some things slightly out of context. Example, Does the last paragraph refer to T&T or Barbados? People get on as if Barbados (under the DLP) is the only place that gets downgraded….”
Cummins, I have to agree with Bushie’s assessment of you. One of the fundamental attributes of being an author is the ability to comprehend. I DO NOT BELIEVE you are an author. I suspect you have been bluffing your way through life.
You chose not to reply because you CAN’T, and your cop-out is I “have some things slightly out of context,” while citing if “the last paragraph refer to T&T or Barbados?” as an example. How the hell does my last paragraph of the post you referred to has anything to do with T & T, when I clearly stated “Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), WHICH IS BASED IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO….”
Let me explain it for you, CariCRIS is a CARIBBEAN RATING AGENCY, which is BASED in TRINIDAD & TOBAGO.
Shiite, man!!!!!
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@Dee Word
It was a tongue and cheek remark.
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…You are such a jack-ass grabbing at straws…
Artaxerxes do not forget a pretender and make-believer. You just have to read what he throws out on this blog. All a compilation of the little bits and pieces he knows that he feels, no other can dicifer – why? He is Alvin Cummins qualifications extraordinaire, book publisher and noted authority on things DLP. He has the wherewithal to call people unintelligent – what a laugh. I wonder what the heck he does in a church that makes him believe he is God ordained and God entitled. Even purporting that his life is governed by the lord he makes a mockery of the faith he should hold dear to his heart as one so advanced towards the end of life. Pathetic little puppet. I just can’t stomach pretenders.
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“Numerous downgrades? How many during your terms in office? Did ANY occur during those years? Oh, the Caves! You really want to talk about that? I don’t think so.
UCAL? Tell me when it started and why.
@SSS,
Dots connected. All in good time!!I If greedy wait hot will cool, except I am not greedy. I am a VERY patient man.”
Your response is incoherent; but try not to get flustered Mr Alvin. I recognize your difficulty in trying to defend the indefensible.
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@Alvin Cummins
You ain’t start to connect the dots yet, but I hope you do. Just stay tune. I patient too sweet P. But I tend to give in when I see shite.
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This from:
http://www.cbc.bb/index.php/en/news/barbados-news/item/2253-ministers-permanent-secretaries-and-senior-public-servants-on-retreat-at-crane-resort
Friday, 21 August 2015 17:18 Item title
Ministers, permanent secretaries and senior public servants on retreat at Crane Resort
No other institution in Barbados possesses as wide and varied skills as the public service, but these skills have to be channelled in ways that would contribute to national development.
This assertion from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, during his brief remarks at the end of a recent two-day retreat for cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries and other senior public servants, at the Crane Resort in St. Philip.
The retreat provided the opportunity for government’s policymakers and their top administrators and advisors to discuss major matters relating to the functions of government; explore relationships among key government agencies.
Mr. Stuart noted that the public service as a whole has more members of the public that any other institution, and that its decisions affected a wide cross section of persons.
He stressed that a well-functioning public service is a must, adding that the sector must be so configured as to facilitate and manage change.
He also called on his cabinet colleagues to ensure that the skills of public servants are utilised and mobilised
Meanwhile Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has highlighted film, the arts, information and communication technology and green growth policies as some of the areas in which Barbados would be keen to receive assistance from the Republic of Korea.
Mr. Stuart identified those areas recently during a courtesy call with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Lee Doo-Young, at Illaro Court. Also present was first secretary and consul, Sanghoon Lee.
The prime minister says South Korea has a good reputation in the area of film and the arts, and Barbados is seeking to develop its film industry.
He also added that considerable interest was being expressed in the sport of taekwondo, and suggested that with assistance from the Koreans, it could become more popular.
Mr Stuart noted that South Korea has made significant advances in green growth policies, and Barbados is committed to a green economy.
He also praised South Korea for its work in information and communication technology.
Mr. Stuart says there were other issues both countries needed to discuss, such as tax agreements.”
I guess we will soon hear of a delegation of Ministers, permanent secretaries and senior public servants (including the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Tourism going of to South Korea to learn about film, the arts, information and communication technology; and the sport of taekwondo.
And of course Minister Down Lowe to pick up a few pointers on Korea’s green growth policies
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I’ve heard it said that the British know how squeeze a penny so tightly that the Queen must scream ! It is part of their culture ! P.M Cameron will think nothing of “scoffing Pringles while squashed in his seat in economy class”. But don’t expect our “Johnny-come lately” government officials…politicians and civil servants… to indulge in such parsimony. They consider themselves to have “arrived” and to be entitled to “big mout drinks, big ride, and big shelter”, all at our expense ! They laugh at us !
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