Bajans Overly Taxed and NOT Loving It!
Submitted by Old Onion Bags
Chris Sinckler, Minister of Finance
How many of you had any extra money to spend on gifts this Christmas? I bet most of you (if honest like me) would agree, ‘tings were tight, tight. Over taxation, high food and gasoline prices had people ‘pun lock.’
How much longer can we continue this way though? Better believe me when I say Bajans are overly TAXED nowadays. People all over Barbados need some reprieve Mr. Sinclair (not more taxes as you have hinted). How much longer can they take these draconian measures and not fall through the social net? They need relief and they need it like yesterday. A voice hollering in the wilderness….dun know.
What is the sense of being able to boast of cutting the deficit by a mere 6% and the country’s people are suffering like hell? Jobs a thing of the past, who working, doing so with fear shivering, peoples’ children who worked hard to achieve university status, now left with a broken dreams, ( EWB recently emptied promise).
Mr. Sinclair, you are on video boasting in Parliament of the tough times our generation has been through and of how it makes for character. Yes sir Mr. Minister we agree, but are you not forgetting… back in those days you could beg for a breadfruit….a turnover was for 5c….you could eat food at the neighbors’ and\or find a job if you wanted one. Times have changed sir … they have obviously become harder. What WAS in those days, won’t cut it today.
By taking so much money out of the economy in the forms of increased taxation and surcharge on fuel, the money supply has decreased. The money multiplier effect has thereby waned as a result, and there are less dollars to be circulated and personal savings are being withdrawn from the banks. For those so interested….. money creation is the process by which the money supply of a country is changed. There are two principal stages of money creation. First, a central bank introduces new money into the economy termed expansionary monetary policy…. by purchasing financial assets or lending money to financial institutions. Secondly, the new money introduced by the central bank is multiplied by commercial banks through fractional reserve banking; this expands the amount of broad money (i.e. cash plus demand deposits) in the economy so that it is a multiple (known as the money multiplier) of the amount originally created by the central bank.
Mr.Sinckler, with this government’s so called mid-term fiscal policy, you all have successfully choked up the country’s monetary plumbing real good. Disposable income has dried up and money is no longer flowing down. The system needs an enema, and real fast….to releases some frustrations and anxieties the hard working and unemployed people are left to bear.
With this administration having just another two years, how many more taxes do you plan to implement? A new on-coming cell phone tax promised of 22% in 2016, one wonders what next… a bedroom tax maybe?
Barbados Underground 
Onions
It is good to see you back.
Appealing to this Government is like talking to the wind. They don’t know what to do, it is as simple as that. They have taken so much money out of the people’s hands, in the form of taxes, that it is crippling the economy. And worse yet, at Christmas time, they made sure that people did not have cash to spend by paying public officers on December 22nd with one and a half shopping days left. Utter madness. But that is economics DLP style. They want you to spend to stimulate economic growth and simultaneously taking away what little you have to spend.
LikeLike
Good to see you back, old onions bag!
This minister really does not care neither does he know what he is doing. I just cannot understand the madness in this government’s policies……….give the investors who should have the money to invest in the economy…….40 years tax free, no taxes….zero……. and instead put the heavy burden on the taxpayers who can no longer bear the brunt of his failed policies.
Sandals got 40 years tax free, Cahill got the whole hog even lands belonging to the taxpayers and heavens knows how much they have now given to the new kids on the block….the Canadian frauds!
Kill the Bajans is their motto.
LikeLike
Prodigal
It is worse than you think, the investor, who by the way was not seeking Government concessions, was put out of Barbados because he would not hand over part of his investment to a politically connected person. They were calling it a joint venture but the local was only putting in his political connections, not one cent in the “joint venture”.
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
Barbados is not over-taxed, the problem is that public finances are badly managed by this government. Then again, this has been happening since constitutional independence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hal it is good to see you around. We were given the opinion you were taking a break and would have returned to sharing your perspective with the BU family.
LikeLike
I agree with Hal above. Barbados’ revenue as a percentage of GDP is quite normal for a “high income country”. What is lacking is effective management of the revenues generated, including the fact that a good percentage of that revenue goes towards debt servicing (albeit domestic debt). Another issue is the growing informal economy. A study I read a while back estimated the informal economy was around a third of the formal economy. This means tax revenues which otherwise would be collected are foregone. The establishment of the BRA is one good step to help correct this by streamlining tax collection in an effort to identify and reduce the level of tax delinquency. However, a major issue is public distrust of the way their tax dollars are being spent. If the public feels their tax dollars are not being used efficiently and effectively, they are less inclined to pay their share. The problem of effective resource mobilisation and management is not a DLP or BLP issue but a governance issue which has existed in Barbados for quite some time…
LikeLike
Keep hearing the ring leaders of Doom and gloom talking about taxes but not one of them including the leader of the BLP Mia Mottley is yet to offer any alternative /solution to paying off the barbados debt yes debt owed to international financial institutions which has accumulated high interest over the years, while resolving the long term financial stability of the country
After six years that is the million dollar questions that needs to be answered All have heard about the quick fixes from the BLP but still not heard how the BLP economic policy/s would be efficient (excluding painful measures ) in the long term to tackling high debt and sustaining barbados economy growth and viability
LikeLike
@Alicia
There is the trap right there.
It seems the debt burden, and we have had to listen to perennial reports from the CDB for example on this matter, is and will act as a drag on any serious attempt to more effectively manage public finances. We continue to borrow but there seem to be no visible strategy by government to effectively allocate/deply borrowings to optimally drive GDP and other metrics. The rhetoric we hear is all politically motivated and this is affecting the public confidence you mentioned.
LikeLike
@David, I agree the high debt burden constrains our fiscal policy space and that borrowing should be for development-oriented projects. Borrowing is a necessary evil for a small developing state like ours with limited domestic resources. A significant portion of our debt servicing is interest payments. Part of the reason for the high interest rates is that our high GNI/GDP per capita constrains our ability to access most concessionary loans which have no or below market interest rates. Moreover, having a speculative grade sovereign credit rating constrains our ability to raise capital on international capital markets so bond issues are not an immediate answer.
To the Government’s credit, several of the loans they have received from Multilateral Development Banks like the IDB and CDB for instance are for projects aimed at bringing efficiencies to various departments. An example is the CDB one aimed to improve the workings of the Immigration Department. This should have spillovers for trade facilitation and improve our competitiveness. Besides borrowing for development-oriented projects, we need to make more optimal use of the tax revenues collected rather than just paying salaries. That to my mind is what successive governments have failed to do effectively. We only need to look at the Auditor General’s reports to see the flagrant mismanagement.
LikeLike
Agree Alicia that what you stated addresses current state, however, what economic and social policies have we seen that address glaring structural problems. What we are seeing is an improvement in global economies we do business and it has floated our boat somewhat. What we have not seen is our leaders enthusiastically searching out new and bold opportunities any good crisis offers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@David, on that we are in complete agreement!
LikeLike
In other words where there is no vision the people are taxed into oblivion.We are on the way to hearing…..”Brother,can you spare a dime?”And Kofi say we punchin’above we weight!What a big joke!
LikeLike
Keep your eyes on the progression of recovery:
1. Build up to 50 years of Independence
2. 3rd Quarter Central Bank report indicates that country is on full economic recovery under skillful management of MoF
3. Unemployment figures drop dramatically in the months leading up to Christmas
4. Massive 50th Independence party with feel-good emotions spread throughout nation
5. Full employment by Christmas along with enormous tax roll-backs because of our spectacular economic recovery
6. Gigantic PR campaign in January reminding everyone of how lucky we are to have such a skillful team managing the country’s finances and returning Barbados to it’s former glory
7. With full employment, a Christmas spend beyond the imagination, reduced VAT, Land Tax and personal income tax, an election will be called and we the brightest and best in the Caribbean will vote DLP for a third term.
LikeLike
@ FearPlay
I fear that you are correct. And that Mottley has been uninspiring and somewhat ineffectual in her job is not helping. There will probably be a low turnout unless some emotive issue arises (like if they want to proceed with Cahill).
LikeLike
The bogeyman “taxes” raises its oniony head once again about over taxation and like Pavlov’s dogs we react accordingly. Let’s peel a few of the layers, in the last few weeks Jeff C had a column on the Gov’ts proposal to impose penalties on certain professionals to close the loopholes that they exploit which certainly exist in the public’s imagination or are as real as Gov’t postulates.
Hal A writes (and I paraphrase) that it is not an issue of over taxation but Gov’t mismanagement of tax revenue since 1966. The upshot is that we have had three “brilliant” Finance Ministers in that period and somehow that has escaped them but I digress as Hal’s theory has drawn some support ………
Let’s say we are overtaxed then Gov’t should immediately abandon all efforts to stem the flow of “lost’ revenue from these professionals and simultaneously reduce the burden on those poor souls who are bearing the burden of this “over tax” while implementing measures to correct the mismanagement of tax revenues. There I’ve said it – a real mouthful – problem solved.
Grecian formula anyone? That grey is only a figment of your imagination
LikeLike
@Sargeant
The problem is multifaceted this we all know.
Has anyone noticed how our infrastructure for water generation and distribution has been deteriorating?
LikeLike
I would gladly pay all taxes as long as ALL categories of working people are made to do the same and as long as I can see value for my money. Neither of these conditions is met in Barbados. Should I “be content” with this?
LikeLike
The DLP [over] taxes, the BLP [over] spends
Same old, same old.
If the frequent [even if mild] earth tremors have damaged the telecommunications lines, don’t we think that they may also have damaged our water pipes and or reservoirs.
But nobody is saying that.
LikeLike
@Donna December 30, 2015 at 11:05 AM “I would gladly pay all taxes as long as ALL categories of working people…”
Not only working people, but also people who have never worked a day in their lives but who have inherited assets and income.
They too should pay their fair share.
LikeLike
David
Was VAT not the tax to be implemented over time to,end all taxes and were not the reasons given all about the difficulties in collecting&managing the existing tax structure.
LikeLike
@Vincent
Correct.
LikeLike
ac December 30, 2015 at 6:33 AM #
“Keep hearing the ring leaders of Doom and gloom talking about taxes but not one of them including the leader of the BLP Mia Mottley is yet to offer any alternative /solution to paying off the Barbados debt yes debt owed to international financial institutions which has accumulated high interest over the years, while resolving the long term financial stability of the country….”
I told you not to continue with this shiite in 2016…… trying to defend the indefensible.
Surely ALL BARBADIANS should RECALL that the DLP, in their 2008 and 2013 election manifestoes produced ALL the ANSWERS to Barbados’ social and economic woes. Now, eight years after, the DEMS are still BLAMING their FAILURE to address economical issues on the economic crisis and BLP.
This DLP administration increased the national debt by borrowing money for UNPRODUCTIVE PURPOSES. Let us not forget that the DEMS economic policies resulted in CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADES by the INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS and CREDIT RATING AGENCIES.
AC shiites, tell BU what does that have to do with the BLP?
Several institutions, associations, clubs and ordinary spoke-persons gave ADVICE or SOLUTIONS to this administration only to be dismissed as being “PROFITS OF DOOM AND GLOOM OR BEING IN BED WITH THE BLP.”
Supplementaries bfw for January 2008 – March 31st 2008: $680,399,208.00
Here is the amount of money the DLP took from the Treasury that stinking, lying Thompson, Stuart and Sinckler told Barbadians was “EMPTY” – during the period: April – December 2008.
Financial year: 2008-2009
10, July, 2008 – $15, 000,000
29 July, 2008 -$4,809,359
29 July, 2008 -$500,000
8 August, 2008 -$33,569,474
8 August, 2008 $5,698,586
7 October, 2008 -$80,004,807
14 October, 2008 -$10,000,000
4 November, 2008 – $3,287,503
16 December, 2008 – $88,624.00
16 December, 2008 -$129,760.00
16 December, 2008 -$1, 059,110
19 December, 2008 -$55,868,735
19 December, 2008 -$64,068,575
$274,084,533
Two hundred and seventy-four million, eighty-four thousand, five hundred and thirty-three. Now add that to the $680, 399, 208, it took between January and March 2008.
$882,483,741 from an “EMPTY TREASURY,” and in an economy that the DLP said was in shambles?
LikeLike
Shite Man what are these UNPRODUCTIVES PURPOSES OF WHICH YOU SPEAK , Further more how much of what was left in treasury by the BLP went to pay govt workers and tell the audience mr economist how much of the remaining reserves after govt workers were paid would have been sufficient to pay all the outstanding debt left from the past administrations
Don/t mek me laugh with this litany of numbers that does not substantiate the real reasoning for govt additional borrowing in order to stave off doom and gloom
LikeLike
A view…
LikeLike
As I look forward…I love to peep into the future. Exactly how much debt would DBLP have accumulated for the taxpayers, after, their 8+ year rein of whining….from 2008-2018
LikeLike
A man like Sinckler who even cannot control his one weight by natural means is simply unable to control a budget.
ANIMA SANA IN CORPORE SANO EST. The old Romans are right!
LikeLike
Yes……. UNPRODUCTIVE PURPOSES…….. such as GIVING Leroy Parris $10M, is ONE example.
LikeLike
it is MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO is it not?
even if you are a nutritionist you must be careful about commenting on a person’s ability control one’s weight by “natural means” what ever that is supposed to be
so many xprts are contradicting each other on this issue
LikeLike
This DLP administration will go down in the history of Barbados as the worst government ever to “rule” this island. There is not anything you or the other DLP yard-fowls could present to BU to convince us otherwise.
That stinking liar, David Thompson, promised us ITAL immediately after elections and an end to corruption. It is now 2016, 8 years on, and the status quo remains unchanged. Thompson operated his campaign similar to that of Donald Trump, by telling Barbadians things they wanted to hear. Such as the former administration sold land to foreigners and that too many Guyanese were here so he “will send them back.”
That hypocrite and porn facilitator, Donville Inniss, after being asked if politicians should agree to a reduction in salary just as civil servants were asked to “hold strain” on salary increases, told Barbadians that he had bills to pay and a child to send to university.
LikeLike
Shit Man yuh come in the class room as an economist spouting large gawd blimma words like UNPRODUCTIVE PURPOSES wuh eva dat suppose to mean and use LP as an example wud bout OSA thiefing cheque he got from CLICo dat dont count as money
Yuh got yuh jackass version of time and events but fail miserably to tell the whole truth about the times and events that helped poised barbados in economic doldrums and why the failures of the past administration policies were some of the main causes for the next govt to implement harsh measures and additional borrowing
i know yuh would continue to repeat a litany of warm over blackbird soup but bro it is tine for solutions people asking for change also asking for answers none of which the blp can offer
LikeLike
WTF, you talking ‘bout Owen Arthur “thiefing cheque ($75,000) he got from CLICO dat dont count as money” and playing dat you fuhget dat stinking David Thompson and Leroy Parris CONSPIRED to teef $3.333M frum de same CLICO, under the guise dat it was fuh Parris gratuity?
The FORENSIC AUDIT into CLICO’s operations revealed this NOT me.
LikeLike
Look, legion, you better hush you mout’ yuh, you closet full a nuff skeletons.
LikeLike
More whining……every brother/sister government blames the other brother/sister government for leavingv he taxpayers with large unsustainable debt, bad debt, bribery, corruption, thiefing……but NONE want to itemize their own roles in making fools of the taxpayers with their lies and all the above…..nauseating.
LikeLike
jack ass and talking bout downgrades did not the blp have downgrades in the best of economic times dont mek me laff out loud and hard yuh talking nonsense u ought to go back and reflect on how good barbados economy was then and was subjected to down grades yuh ole hypocrite trying to hoist bull kites with out high wind ,
LikeLike
“THE PEOPLE OF St Joseph have been told not to expect relief any time soon.”
“BWA says Bajans may have to put up with water rationing.”
LikeLike
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting positive GDP growth for Barbados this year as a result of increased tourism arrivals and accelerated growth in key markets.
After a slow 2014, conditions in the country’s economy have improved with lower oil prices, new tourism investment, and falling inflation rates, the IMF said in a recent report.
The IMF predicts a one percent expansion in real GDP by the end of 2015, a significant leap from .2 percent in 2014 and no growth in 2013.
With lowering oil prices, the current account deficit is expected to drop from 8.5 to five percent in 2015, while private capital flows are expected to stabilize with foreign reserves at about $545 million by the end of the year
Executive Directors of the IMF praised the authorities’ implementation of necessary reforms to help spur macroeconomic growth, but called for caution going forward in dealing with the country’s looming challenges including external risks, high debt and fiscal deficit levels, and competitiveness.
The directors emphasized that Barbados’ growth strategy should center around strengthening the business environment, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of public services..
LikeLike
Fool and DLP yard-fowl pimp, you should stop trying to push DLP propaganda, especially when you are ignorant of the facts.
America is known to have one of the best economies in the world and their currency was devalued twice in the 1970s. However, under the Bretton Woods treaty, all other countries had to devalue their currencies so that the parity “status quo” would remain the same.
The Barbados economy was downgraded under a BLP administration but to the extent it was subsequently upgraded thereafter. In Barbados economic history, the credit rating was downgraded EIGHT TIMES under this inept DLP administration, as follows:
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-.
LikeLike
Imagine that, you and the fool we have for a prime minister, Fruendel Stuart, should be ashamed to quote from the IMF, especially AFTER the big nosed ugly idiot DISMISSED Moody’s and the IMF’s downgrades and reports as “what they say has as much value as what you would see in any garbage dump collected by the Sanitation Services Authority.”
So you want us to believe they are speaking the gospel now?
Guh way, do.
LikeLike
Artaxerxes,
I applaud your patience! I would have answered, “Steupse!”
LikeLike
@ Donna
Bushie applaud both you and Artax!
wunna does actually read AC… !!??
Bushie tries to avoid stepping in jobby…
LikeLike
Ashamed for what if the govt hard worked and initiatives bear positive fruit and international monetary financial institutions gives barbados a thumbs up with positive outlook why should govt not appreciate
After all this kind of news serves the right purposes purposes of confidence
LikeLike
Ok, Donna
“Steupse” to the legion’s last response
LikeLike
Bushite yuh need to shut up u need a big slap across the stink mout of yours and a lie that yuh tell you read my comments cause the downrates on my comments can be attributed to yours as one of the many
You are such a bold faced liar
LikeLike
Bushie,
I scroll quickly past. The “steupse” is my default answer.
LikeLike
Art….and they don’t have enough trucks at the SSA to collect that garbage anyhoo..
LikeLike
The Nation editorIal was besides itself today in lambasting from David’de pit bull’ Estwick to the big-chain-open- neck- thug- looking 80 year old excusative chairman of the BWA to the rude,rough neck policeman type Ghanian expatriate acting general manager.The people of Barbados have never been worse served by the Waterworks ever.Its nothing but a bloody disgrace to know our people are without running water in their homes in the year of our Lord 2015.Between that African man and that octogenarian who also lived in Africa,the two of these guys have taken Barbados back to the 19th century.Nicky Sealy got to be turning in his grave at what has been done to his legacy of skilful management of our water supply to every corner of Barbados up to his final days there when he was dealt a serious blow to his honour by the other nincompoop PM Sandiford,need I say also a DLP PM?
Poor management of the BWA.Poor management of the SSA.Poor management of the QEH.Poor management of the NHC.Poor management of the economy.Poor management of Education.Poor management of Transport.Double poor management of the Environment and Drainage.Poor management of social services.Poor management of Agriculture and Lands.
It’s been another bad year for Freundel Stuart and his band of Buccaneers and the Fatted Calf Brigade.We dare not ask Dr Boobie Durant to offer up a prayer for Barbados based on his record.
LikeLike
cheeze on bread here comes another BLP knuckle head bailing water for the blp national brigade .Poor fellow
LikeLike
@Gabriel December 30, 2015 at 11:03 PM “the rude,rough neck policeman type Ghanian expatriate acting general manager.”
What is an expatriate?
When does one become a Bajan? 3 years, 5, 10, 20, never. Is that what you want for born Bajans who live and work abroad?
He is not Ghanian.
He is a scholar and a gentleman.
We are lucky to have him.
LikeLike
@Vincent Haynes December 30, 2015 at 4:14 PM “Was VAT not the tax to be implemented over time to,end all taxes.”
Dear Vincent: Do you [and David] believe in Santa Claus?
LikeLike
Just read the last DLP manifesto:
page 9: Construct a new General Hospital
page 15: Increase the threshold for assessing land tax from $190,000 to $250,000
… Reduce the operational costs of Government Departments and Statutory Corporations …
… Expand Ronald Mapp Highway to four lane …
… Reduce the operating costs of the Transport Board by sourcing electric and hybrid buses … Pass a Freedom of Information Act
OK, Donny did that: … Particular focus will be placed on Film production.
LikeLike
@AC that IFM prediction for growth in the tourist industry may not materialize this season. To date the winter on the East Coast of the US is extermely mild.
@Hal Austin 35 new taxes were introduced my the DLP. In my opinion the majority of Barbadians are over taxed. Over taxation is a symptom of the real problem which is political mismanagement.
LikeLike
Continued: In comparison to the DLP manifesto the BLP manifesto was simply not bold enough. Read this here:
“Increase the land tax exemption thresh to $200,000”.
$400,000 and they would have won the election.
On page 56 the BLP also admits that a new hospital can´t be built immediately.
Less realism and they would have won the election.
LikeLike
AFTER the big nosed ugly idiot DISMISSED Moody’s and the IMF’s downgrades and reports as “what they say has as much value as what you would see in any garbage dump collected by the Sanitation Services Authority.”
Take it easy Arta – Do not let Ac make you raise your blood pressure with the New year on the horizon. Ac i believe tries to play devil’s advocate because he/ she can’t be stupidly ignorant of the facts all the time.
LikeLike
What ac cited in the IMF report was the facts unless the IMF is as “stupidly ignorant as ac and also playing devil.s advocate .
LikeLike
What is puzzling to many is how can oil price drop almost 30% in the year and we have not seen close to the same movement in Barbados. It is obvious the government has been diverting the benefit of the drop to shore up other areas. BU would have no problem with this approach if we were seeing an equally aggressive alternative energy strategy.
LikeLike
@ AC the IMF report is a prediction. The act of God or climate change that has resulted in an extremely mild winter compared to last year is a fact that will in some way affect tourist arrivals
LikeLike
@ David December 31, 2015 at 7:01 AM
“What is puzzling to many is how can oil price drop almost 30% in the year and we have not seen close to the same movement in Barbados. It is obvious the government has been diverting the benefit of the drop to shore up other areas. BU would have no problem with this approach if we were seeing an equally aggressive alternative energy strategy..”
A rather insightful remark there, David (BU).
But the current administration is caught between an alternative energy policy rock and a very hard fiscal place.
The forex savings from lower oil prices have been an economic lifebuoy. How else would the government be able to pay its overseas bills while trying to maintain its ‘champagne taste and mauby pocket’ presence at too many international talk-shops and “nato” fora.
Any major moves to make alternative energy financially more attractive than fossil-based energy generation would make both the sale of the BNTCL and the proposed merger of the BNOCL and NPC for future privatization a most unattractive investment decision. Unless SOL or some other business vulture is prepared to take them off the Government’s hand for a song or at scrap value.
What about the now 100% foreign-owned fossil-fuel electricity generation plant at the Spring Garden? Would the government be prepared to subsidize its owners for its future underutilization and the company’s inability to recover its full fixed costs in a ‘shortened’ payback period (that is, capital charges including an inflated ROI from its recent acquisitions)?
We will not even mention the much talked about offshore drilling programme for overly heavy hydrocarbons in a country already suffering from dying coral reefs and almost totally dependent on a fickle industry called tourism.
LikeLike
@Simple Simon 11.18p
I take your word that the person with whom I had a conversation on a matter concerning my water supply is a scholar,a gentleman and not Ghanian.The person with whom I spoke was a perfect pig,lacking in manners and of a culture alien to barbadiana,therefore we are not speaking of the same individual.My sincere apologies to you.
LikeLike
The issue of unclean community water tanks is troubling. Minister Estwick, over to you.
LikeLike
@Heather correct ‘ predicated on influences those infuences which the blp charged had no influence irimpact on the barbados economy and which were major factors in the influence of down grades
However now these factors have emerged and been a source of buoyancy and elevation for economic movement the blp instigators are standing on the front line to dismiss
LikeLike
@David expect the fast tracking of desalination plants.
It is the logical solution to water shortage problem.
You can’t risk waiting for rain to fall. These drought conditions may be a yearly problem.
LikeLike
@Hants
This is exactly what the acting GM is quoted in this week’s news, using brackish water etc. It appears yours is the direction they are going.
LikeLike
@ac, Do you live here?
LikeLike
@retribution none of your business… hmmm the blp bridage is now caught like a deer steering in the higlights with the economy moving foward and there party in disarray.
Four years ago the instigators had predicted a total collapse of barbados economy but such occurence has not happened .Presently the only collapse about to happen is steeering the blp instigators in the face tightly wrapped with doom and signed by gloom having negative indicators pointing directly in the direction of the blp party
LikeLike
Moot points. When was the last time the IMF forecasts were even close to accurate? They massage as the year goes along. Like the budgets of most MofF’s anywhere, they are usually wrong, and in favour of less revenue and greater expenses. Debt is a bitch, like cancer it just eats into anything good.
The income tax system is on life support; too many ways to avoid, and every government desperate for revenue are clammering and competing for anything they can get. Consumption taxes are the new focus. If only because they are more collectible. User fees a natural target. As are levies on asset bases versus income bases.
Happy New Year…it will be an interesting one across the Globe. I predict it will be the International Year of the Default.
LikeLike
@ David December 31, 2015 at 10:52 AM #
“This is exactly what the acting GM is quoted in this week’s news, using brackish water etc. It appears yours is the direction they are going.”
David, what the same acting G M spoke about was known long time ago. it was long ago projected that the rate of consumption of potable water far exceeded the rate of replenishing the aquifers. This situation was made worse over the recent years by the careless failure to institute or maintain (as of former days of commonsense) effective rain water catchment methods to reduce the amount of surface water going straight into the sea.
What effects do you think the filling-in of ponds and other natural water-retention features, concreting and paving of former grassy areas and the stark and stupid removal of hedgerows of khus khus grass from around the former arable fields of sugar cane would have on the state of the aquifers?
Barbados has now met its Waterloo, both figuratively and literally.
The question to the Minister: Where has the 60% increase in water rates gone? Down Maxwell pond?
Why not invite a foreign investor or enter into a PPP arrangement with a local consortium to build another desalination plant to help the people in need of this most vital resource? Given the government’s drive towards alternative energy there certainly will not be a shortage electricity from the WTE plant or from solar energy farms to ‘fuel’ such a much needed additional desalination plant.
The existence of potable underground water was the reason why Barbados was ‘settled’ by the English on a permanent basis giving rise to its former “superior” infrastructure compared to the other territories. Don’t let the shortage of potable water be its tourism demise.
Piles of unsightly garbage, poor treated sewage and lack of clean water make a deadly cocktail mix for socio-economic disaster. Let’s not mention the “C” word, here.
LikeLike
@Miller
We need to stop the 60% leaks in the mains, we need to reduce operating cost by aggressively implementing renewable energy supply; the BWA is BL&P’s biggest customer.
On 31 December 2015 at 19:54, Barbados Underground wrote:
>
LikeLike
I wonder if all of this BWA brouhaha,was simply in order to pave the way for a desal plant,which I am still not convinced that we need once we practise what Miller has supported me on.
LikeLike
Miller is right. We have known of these problems and did not do enough to solve them.
David wrote “We need to stop the 60% leaks in the mains,”
Yes but that is difficult and will take a long time. Note that “New pipes” increase the pressure in the existing pipes so more leaks are created since all the old pipes are not replaced simultaneously.
LikeLike
@ Vincent Haynes there is now an emergency and something must be done.
Wunna could bring some Indians to do a rain dance but that may not work.
LikeLike
While the govt was busy finding solutions Mia was busy telling the whole world how bad it was for people to invest in Barbados
Here are some snippets of her glorious sound bites to frighten and scare away
“We have reached a point where every week matters,” Mia Mottley, the leader of the opposition Barbados Labour party (BLP), thundered at a rally in the capital of Bridgetown on Sunday. “We are not yet at rock bottom, but we are fast approaching that point.” whi;le calling for Sinckler head to be handed over on a plate in Parliament
LikeLike
Four years ago the daunting task of stabilizing the economy seemed a fruitless task for govt giving the negative mitigating factors
here are some of the conclusions made by the IMF
“Downside risks are significant, and strong and prompt adjustment is crucial,” the Washington-based lender said. “The authorities face the challenging task of raising foreign reserves and reducing the fiscal deficit in an environment of low growth, high debt and a fixed exchange rate.”
the govt has stayed focus amidst the dissent of the doom and gloomers and barbados has started to see a glimmer of light after being in the dark for four years
LikeLike
@Miller
What effects do you think the filling-in of ponds and other natural water-retention features, concreting and paving of former grassy areas and the stark and stupid removal of hedgerows of khus khus grass from around the former arable fields of sugar cane would have on the state of the aquifers?
+++++++++++
So it was the height of folly for a Gov’t to propose the paving over of Graeme Hall Swamp to erect a “Waterpark” for the benefit of tourists?
LikeLike
@ Sargeant December 31, 2015 at 6:46 PM
If only you knew the vital role the same Swamp plays in the natural eco system- both onshore and offshore (coral reefs)- you will certainly know the answer to your own question. Same thing applies to the remaining mangrove-type outlets to the sea.
Nature is not fool. Frig with Her at your own peril. Time longer than twine.
What do you think is going on with the ‘dumping’ of hundreds of thousands of litres of bleach and other chemicals (both household and industrial) into the island’s fragile limestone underground? Same thing applies to the thousands of kilos of plastic ending up in the underground cisterns and offshore trapped in the coral reefs.
Ten to 20 more years and the full effects will be seen especially on the West Coast.
Fortunately, the modern tourist is certainly more environmentally aware and committed to Nature’s plans than the stupid Bajans bent on the destruction of their own habitat and capacity to survive what is in store for small islands like Bim.
LikeLike
“Drivers who pass schools on their daily routes will have to pay more attention when students go back to class. Under new rules, drivers who encounter crosswalks with crossing guards or flashing overhead lights must wait until pedestrians make it all the way across the street before proceeding.”
LikeLike
Those residents of the areas affected by the shortage of potable water should install a water tank without delay.Seeing that the African scholar and gentleman has made it clear he does not have the wherewithal to bring relief to so many hundreds of households in St Lucy,St Andrew,St Joseph and St Thomas and neither does the octogenarian executive chairman( read an 81 year old pensioner and member of the fatted calf brigade preventing a younger and less tired Bajan earning a decent salary)and when you consider that the Minister with line responsibility for Water Supply and Management is dumb or otherwise silent and ineffective and the the Prime Minister cannot be bothered to speak to the long suffering residents of the affected parishes,then it is time for these citizens to show their disgust in a tangible way and organize a mass protest next Wedneday January 6th when this government launches its 50th anniversary event.
LikeLike
Neither party has offered any real solutions when you think about it. The business sectors lobbying has prevented foreign investment. Gas in the states is $1.50 a gal or 37.5 cents a liter. You can get a to go box(2 pc chicken, roll, mashed potato’s, cookie, and large coke) at KFC in the states for $5.00 US or $10 BBD. Double that in Barbados. The duties at the port/airport are unreasonable, and merchants couldn’t get there goods for a week because of transportation problems. Land taxes aren’t being paid, some water service was received free for 2 yrs, and a dumping fee was instituted, along with a 22% VAT on data usage and you wonder why drugs are being smuggled in, people are being robbed, and they’re dumping garbage all over the island. We have, and have had a bunch of idiots in government elected, or otherwise for years. But, if you look around you can tell the ones living high on the hog. Bring in some competition that will offer better prices, and employ more people. You don’t need any incentives then to make it a level playing field. Agin the business lobby, and import duties are only making the rich, richer……………..
LikeLike
@racehrse
For the record, I think your US prices are on the low side (at least – not applicable to NJ)
LikeLike
If they do the commonsense as racehrse proposes, then in their minds, the politicians and others will have to not only cut down on their bribe intake, but a cross section of the taxpayers will also start benefitting financially without having to become yardfowls and enablers.
The politicians would see this as not being in their own best self-interest. You are dealing with leaders in the lowest sense of the word, who lack morals and any degree of ethics.
LikeLike
@TheGazer
Check http://www.gasbuddy.com They track the price at the pump by City, State, or Zip code and even give you what stations offer the best price. If you minimize the national map it shows color coded prices across the country. $1.40 to $2.60 a gal.
LikeLike
“ac December 30, 2015 at 8:21 PM #
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting positive GDP growth for Barbados this year as a result of increased tourism arrivals and accelerated growth in key markets.”
Don’t you think that after seven years of incompetence that it is time a miracle occur.
LikeLike
Question:
If the world economy determines how good or bad our economy is how come when it is bad it’s the world economy’s fault and when things appear to be getting better it is the government’s policies that must be applauded?
LikeLike
We have not had a leader with vision in a very long time. It is more than our water reservoirs that are running on empty.
LikeLike
If I were a person living outside of Barbados I would not spend good money to come to this filthy place. What tourism product what!
On New Year’s Day my garbage was finally collected after an extended period. The guys said they were as usual borrowing a truck which kept breaking down. My neighborhood was a mess. Those guys were working like madmen to get the place clean. If Lowe worked as hard and as conscientiously we wouldn’t be the rat’s nest we are.
LikeLike
Donna January 4, 2016 at 10:56 AM #
“Question: If the world economy determines how good or bad our economy is how come when it is bad it’s the world economy’s fault and when things appear to be getting better it is the government’s policies that must be applauded?”
You have raised a very interesting point, which contains “TRUTH” and “FACTS,” two “elements” some yard-fowls are always alluding to.
LikeLike
Donville Inniss is one of the guest on today’s edition of “Brass Tacks,” which is focusing on a review of business in 2015.
LikeLike
I hear $1.5 million of the TAXPAYER’s monies being spent tonight, on this 50th Ann. indep. Celebration…$250,000 fireworks even. How could such be spent on this kind of nonsense and Bajans struggling? Some could not even afford a HAM this Christmas, far-less pay taxes still owed and outstanding? Yet this administration blowing up money like Guy Falkes and it aint even November or Old Years. The real cost to the country however, is the business and structural adjustments to be made starting mid-day. Retailer Massy wisely has closed its Btown businesses from 2.30 pm to avert losses whilst many others are seemingly following suit…
LikeLike
Will Flow follow.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER DIGICEL has saved local mobile phone users some serious dollars.
See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/76414/digicel-absorbs-cell-tax#sthash.PHLY1lv1.dpuf
LikeLike