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2015 Auditor General’s Report – An Exercise in Repetition

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Barbados Auditor General Report 2014
Barbados Auditor General Report 2014

Reading the Auditor General’s Reports through the years there is a common theme, one of repetition. It bears highlighting that successive governments have felt the wrath of the AG Mr. Leigh Trotman. The latest 2015 Auditor General Report lays bare the same old same old government department breaches we have become accustomed.

A single BU observation to add to the many can be found on p.29 2.38 as follows:

Among the agencies which did not submit information as requested were a number large entities such as:
  • Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC)
  • Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI)
  • National Housing Corporatio (NHC)
  • Sanitation Service Authority (SSA)

The BIDC is currently embroiled in a dispute with the BWU regarding its decision to force 60 year old employees to retire. There is therefore a healthy assumption by BU that the information requested should be readily available given that this government agency is in downsizing mode. Does any entity retrench employees without completing comprehensive financials to inform the decision?

The BTMI was recently established for crissakes. Why should Barbadians be asked to praise the work of the BTMI as a result of increasing arrival numbers yet poor administration results in dishonorable mention by the AG?

The political interference at the NHC forced a Permanent Secretary to retire. Also the Pubic Accounts Committee (PAC) rules were amended because this is the statutory corporation

Last but surely not least the SSA, not one truck until the AG investigates Cahill Energy!

See Auditor General’s Report 2015

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100 responses to “2015 Auditor General’s Report – An Exercise in Repetition”

  1. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Barbados is a parody of the Government at Westminster. We have all the institutions and functionaries on paper but none of them seems to work as intended. As a result, the country has degenerated to become a thriving kleptocracy. Corruption flourishes in almost every aspect of this society.

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Power play.

    “As Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Boyce has responsibilities for energy, immigration, telecommunications and Invest Barbados.”

    http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/81596/senator-boyce-responsible-business-facilitation#sthash.1k9zsQLG.dpuf

  3. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Dah is de man dat did due diligence on Cahill and signed one o de cahill papers?

    De PM is a boss dooh!!
    A boss of asymetric (upside down) tinking, dats wot.

    Wuhloss!

  4. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    Caswell ,Barbados is becoming a nation of irresponsible people. Citizens that do not take responsibility for their lives and livelihood. Still waiting for the slave masters to tell them what to do.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    From page 76 read the report and weep. Even secondary schools having issues completing audits, how difficult is it to complete an audit fr a school?

    Then there is SBRC, imaging so much garbage about Barbados yet the government has to pay minimum fees to Bizzy, just like Ionics. What is happening?

    The issue with completing the NIS audits is of grave concern.

  6. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Stealing, bribery and nepotism are so endemic in Barbados, that even if you attempt to audit accounts in the smallest of social, church or sports clubs, it becomes clear that the FIRST order of business for those in authority is to ‘see what they can get for themselves’.

    The fact that NO ONE is ever held to account tells us that this kind of behaviour is acceptable, although this acceptance is because it becomes REALLY HARD for a thief to condemn another thief for doing exactly as he does.

    This man Trotman just seems to be the ONLY real auditor in Barbados with a sense of honesty and with the balls to call a spade a spade.

    The most scary aspect of this is the extent to which other auditors, including international audit firms, who MUST BE AWARE of the level of shiite going on, are able to cover for the crooks and empower them to continue with their dishonesty and inefficiency.

    Only God can help Barbados now.
    When Karma kicks in, it will be important for us all to remember that it is not only the leaders who are crooked and incompetent…. it is the whole damn country…. which is why we tolerate them as leaders.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    It is interesting to read how many of the secondary schools were unable to present final audits because of cost. Imagine we have reached the point where cost will determine what is right therefore undermining governance.

  8. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    What costs what!!??
    Sounds like just an excuse for the real problem….which is that the true explanations would be just to embarrassing to current ‘big shots’ in position, and so everything will be delayed until conditions are more ‘favourable’…
    People spend money as they like – break all the rules, and then claim that the cost of providing explanations is ‘too high’?
    Which Public Service leaders accept such explanations? …do they still have jobs?

    Shiite man, but if this is the way that out HIGH COURT operates, why are you surprised that even ‘meeting turns’ would do likewise?

    Critical judicial decisions are delayed FOR NO APPARENT REASON, until the decisions become largely meaningless after witnesses, judges, accused etc die or move on in life….and we have a Chief Justice call Sir some shiite ….who continues happily attending cocktail functions talking shiite and playing music….

    What a disgusting place…..

  9. Old Baje Avatar
    Old Baje

    It’s time to set up a chapter of Transparency International in Barbados. Call a meeting, Caswell. I will be there.

  10. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    The government departments, schools, statutory corporations, etc DO NOT “present final audits.”

    Audits are performed by the Auditor General’s Office or an authorized independent “third party” contracted by the Auditor General.

    Management of these government institutions is responsible for the preparation of financial statements of financial position and the fair presentation in those statements, the results of operations and cash flows in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles.

  11. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Depressing reading!

  12. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    The following excerpts were taken from sub-section “Barbados Water Authority New Headquarters,” on page 109 of the 2015 Auditor General’s Report:

    Introduction:

    5.40 The BWA SIGNED an Agreement with a company (Landlord) in March 2013 for the design, finance and construction of its headquarters complex. The Agreement also included the LEASE of the premises to the BWA. The PERIOD of the LEASE is THIRTEEN (13) YEARS.

    Exclusive Rights Granted Before Substantial Negotiations Carried Out:

    5.41 BWA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), dated 22nd December 2011, which GAVE the contractor EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS for the PROJECT. This was eight (8) days AFTER it had COMMENCED negotiations on the bid, and approximately fifteen (15) months BEFORE the Agreement was SIGNED. The MOU also made provision for the contractor to commence certain works as soon as was practically possible after the execution of the MOU. The BWA in essence was BINDING itself to an ARRANGEMENT with the SOLE BIDDER BEFORE SUBSTANTIAL NEGOTIATIONS WERE COMPLETED.

    Commencement of Works:

    5.42 The commencement of works before the conclusion of negotiations placed the BWA at a disadvantage in relation to its decision making. An example of this was observed subsequently, when the BWA received an opinion from its legal representative on the implications of not proceeding with the completion of the building.

    The opinion INDICATED that BWA WOULD HAVE BEEN LIABLE to the CONTRACTOR, the arranger of finance and all other consultants in damages in the EVENT that it FAILED to COMPLETE THE PROJECT.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Who is owns the property on which the new BWA Headquarters were built?

    Did the project go out to tender?

    Why would Dr. David Estwick, the Cabinet and BWA COMMIT themselves to giving the contractor exclusive rights for the project, and to accepting the liability of incurring all costs in the event the contractor failed to complete the project, even “before substantial negotiations were completed?”

  13. Passing thru Avatar
    Passing thru

    Place the schools on the back burner its SBRC and Ionics that baffle and need to be revisited. Turn over the contracts to the DPP let him decide if criminal charges apply. How are companies not delivering on targets paid multi millions of taxpayers money in subsidy. Why are government contracts with millions in free money clauses always involve businesses run by Bizzy, Maloney ,Cow and cronies. Give us answers DLP and BLP.

  14. Denis Is A Crook AC Avatar
    Denis Is A Crook AC

    The consultants hired by Government had suggested that it was not fair
    for Government to pay the full Consolidated Tipping Fee (CTF) for any
    shortfalls in waste below the guaranteed tonnages, and suggested the payment of a percentage of the CTF. However, the proposal from the
    bidder was accepted instead.

    In July 2011 the Ministry of Finance stated that payments to the company
    for the financial year 2011 – 2012 would be capped at $15 million. In
    addition, it was directed that a system be implemented to ensure that all
    tipping was disengaged immediately when the capped sum was reached,
    and thereafter all other materials be forwarded directly to the landfill for
    disposal. However, SSA indicated that it was contractually bound to pay
    the contractor $21,862,800 annually at the current CTF rate

  15. bookworm Avatar
    bookworm

    Bush Tea May 25, 2016 at 7:54 AM #
    Stealing, bribery and nepotism are so endemic in Barbados, that even if you attempt to audit accounts in the smallest of social, church or sports clubs, it becomes clear that the FIRST order of business for those in authority is to ‘see what they can get for themselves’.

    The fact that NO ONE is ever held to account tells us that this kind of behaviour is acceptable, although this acceptance is because it becomes REALLY HARD for a thief to condemn another thief for doing exactly as he does.

    This man Trotman just seems to be the ONLY real auditor in Barbados with a sense of honesty and with the balls to call a spade a spade.

    The most scary aspect of this is the extent to which other auditors, including international audit firms, who MUST BE AWARE of the level of shiite going on, are able to cover for the crooks and empower them to continue with their dishonesty and inefficiency.

    Only God can help Barbados now.
    When Karma kicks in, it will be important for us all to remember that it is not only the leaders who are crooked and incompetent…. it is the whole damn country…. which is why we tolerate them as leaders.

    This! Except that Barbados is beyond the help of any god!

  16. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    Bizzy, Ionics and SBRC doing the dog in Barbados. Boy that man Bizzy Williams is a fine piece of work, he ain’t show no mercy whatsoever pun the GOB and SSA.

  17. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    SBRC being paid a million dollars a month, every month for GOB’s inability to deliver the full quota of garbage contracted for. That wrinkly face white man Bizzy aint got no shame whatsoever.
    Pimps and parasites that Williams Group is.

  18. bookworm Avatar
    bookworm

    Past Zone May 25, 2016 at 10:36 AM #
    SBRC being paid a million dollars a month, every month for GOB’s inability to deliver the full quota of garbage contracted for. That wrinkly face white man Bizzy aint got no shame whatsoever.
    Pimps and parasites that Williams Group is.

    If I pay you $100/day for doing nothing will that make you a pimp/parasite or me an incompetent JA?

    Just askin.

  19. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    It makes the man who is paying INCOMPETENT and makes the man receiving A THIEF.

  20. are-we-there-yet Avatar
    are-we-there-yet

    Artax;

    The revelations in the AG’s report appear quite horrendous.

    As David seems to indicate in his heading to this blog, all the AG reports are “same old” repetitive in structure and content and hints of misfeance and calls for the same improvements and changes year after year. …. but it seems to me that this year’s report speaks to really egregious behaviour in a number of important agencies if one reads between the lines.

    But perhaps I’m overreacting as usual although the current MM situation seems to portend a C change in the whole environment.

  21. Roverp Avatar
    Roverp

    We keep telling young people to be wise…..can they learn it from us?

  22. David Avatar
    David

    How are we able to say we are improving our model of governance yet unable to make the preparation of Financials an efficient one?

  23. bookworm Avatar
    bookworm

    The AG only needs to change the date on his report as it is a repetition of the previous one. Nothing,and I mean NOTHING will be done. His report will not be acted upon.
    The one shining light is that there is at least one senior official with integrity and the balls to stand against the thieving scum in power.

  24. Passing thru Avatar
    Passing thru

    Peter Boos pleads innocent after the Panama Papers reveal his name. Dont cry to us Boos you behave as if you are Mister Integrity. Wait until Loretta Lynch the USA Attorney General gets around to you. The Americans say they will prosecute all mentioned in the Papers. Right is might in the new world order ,the Americans are mightiest of all.

    Jack Warner a countryman of Boos is on the Americans Most Wanted List . Jack all now shivering like a wet puppy he knows he cant wait out Lynch and the Yanks. Boos sorry boy extradition and rotting in a jail with Stanford and Maddoff is hell on earth. Get things right with your soul. Keep your plea of not guilty for the Federal jury stateside.

  25. TheGazer Avatar
    TheGazer

    —- picking up where Caswell left off———

    It seems as if checks and balances are in place and if the necessary audits and reviews are being performed. Yet it appears that the system is not working the way that it should. Is it all lip service? Are people reading a script and ticking off different boxes?

    Is this The Truman Show? Are we actors in a badly written comedy or a horror story? How do we fix our island? Some of us focus on just changing the politicians but could it be that we need to fix citizens (children and adults).

    1) What messages are being sent to the children of Barbados when they become aware of the many problems facing the island? Problems created by dishonest adults.
    2) As a predominantly black nation with black leaders, what messages are being sent to young blacks? Is it one of being your brother’s keeper or of selling your brother to the highest builder? Money trumps village membership.
    3) When a youngster states that he wants to be a lawyer or the PM, what exactly is he/she saying? Does he/she wants to be a part of the solution or to continue our many problems?
    4) Are adults living a life that they children should follow or should the children seek others as role models?
    5) Has our society evolved into one with different levels of citizenship. Is the new Barbados the old South Africa with a few blacks considering themselves as honorary” whites’. A tale two citizens?
    6) Are citizens of Barbados getting a honest day of labor for a day of wages or are workers going through the motions -(just following some template – as someone once said).

    Our election process must mature and become more than a change of batteries; swapping Duracell batteries for EverReady batteries. The politicians are just a part of the problem.

    If political parties lack the will to separate themselves from each other, then we must tell the parties what we want to see in their manifestos. Let us tell them what is wrong and how to fix it. And when elected, we must hold their feet to the fire. Instead of waiting to see what Mia/another will do, let us tell them what to do.

    Poster campaigns and marches and multi-point must become a part of the arsenal of the citizens of Barbados.

  26. TheGazer Avatar
    TheGazer

    *builder=bidder.. but builder may also be correct

  27. TheGazer Avatar
    TheGazer

    When you say ‘A’ yah gotta say ‘B’.

    In my book, the AG is a man of integrity.

    PURDYR… now you need 22.

  28. TheGazer Avatar
    TheGazer

    Twenty two people (needed to clarify, before it is misread)

  29. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/05/25/concacaf-suing-jack-warner/

    CONCACAF is suing the once mighty Jack….he might be praying for the grim reaper to come soon…lol

  30. Pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    Pieceuhderockyeahright

    @ The Gazer.

    In addition to their ineptness, THIS IS THE NEXT REASON THAT WE ARE SO DEEP IN DOO DOO.

    https://i.imgur.com/aRWgvTb.png

  31. Pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    Pieceuhderockyeahright

    @ GAZER

    22 it is

    http://imgur.com/OM5HsUx

  32. Lincoln Firefly Avatar
    Lincoln Firefly

    2.104 Monthly reports from the Turf Club should be submitted to the Accountant General’s Department to substantiate the payment of taxes arising from its betting activities. It was however observed that no monthly reports have been submitted, nor have payments been received from the Turf Club in relation to taxes due from betting since May 2010. A reminder letter was forwarded to the Turf Club on July 11, 2012 requesting that this information be submitted. However, no further follow up action has been taken.
    2.105 The absence of information on funds due from betting results in the underreporting of revenue, and accounts receivable, in the financial statements. This matter needs to be pursued vigorously by the Treasury.

    WUNNA FEEL SIR PARKY SEALE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TURF CLUB IS A SWEET BREAD? WHEN SIR PARKY DONE WITH THE DLP ANOTHER $19 MILLION WILL BE OWED AND WAIVED.

  33. TheGazer Avatar
    TheGazer

    @PURDYR
    Loving it.
    Not much of a praying man, but gonna ask The Lord to lookout fah he.

  34. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    All these infelicities and failures would have been dealt with in certain Caribbean territories by the Governor dissolving parliament and imposing direct rule from Whitehall.This bull shoite as practised by Stuart,Boyce,Decimal Sinckler and Jester Ince would be over in a flash.Police leave would be cancelled and Barbados Rediffusion would cancel programming and the Governors message read.The Regiment would be required to report to the Drill Hall by 2100 hrs.End of story.The HMS Warrants would drop anchor in Carlisle Bay and a barrage of accounting staff would descend on buhbaydus and in no time on a RAF Sweepwing fighter.Stuart and his advisers would be in Dodds.You see what independence do to buhbaydus.A dumbbell in the local Whitehall at Bay St.Nothing will change.Mahoney will continue to flout the laws and get support from certain quarters.All these English Speaking Caribbean countries are independent and all are bankrupt…..no money,no morals,no pride.All rasta music and dreadlocks..reggae pun de hill man.Leh de weed grow man.My advice to all you intelligent young men and women……get to hell out of Barbados….it can only get worse…just like Guyana,Jamaica,Trinidad,St Kitts,St Lucia,St Vincent,Antigua,Bahamas…all dens of iniquity.Get out while you can….go north with your talent,preferably Canada.

  35. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    are-we-there-yet May 25, 2016 at 10:59 AM #

    Essentially, some of the blame for the irregularities in government’s accounting system and the financial statements must also be apportioned to those public sector employees who are charged with managing accounting departments.

    In many cases, Clerical Officers, who may not possess the requisite accounting qualifications, are assigned to accounting sections to perform specific duties. After a few years in the section, that individual may be promoted to Senior Clerk or Assistant Accountant (Z23-17 on the salary scale), not based on qualifications, but mainly on his/her years experience in the accounting department.

    Also, more often than not, that Assistant Accountant or Senior Clerk cannot perform routine accounting duties such as identifying erroneous entries in a trial balance or preparing a simple income statement or balance sheet. Moreover, omissions/unrecorded transactions occur when the individuals tasked with entering accounting data, are not aware to which ledger account such transactions should be allocated.

    On the other hand, assume after working in an Accounts Section for an extended period of time, a Clerical Officer decides to pursue and successfully completes a BSc in Accounting. He/she may reason:

    1) What sense it makes for them, being qualified, to remain as a Clerical Officer at Z24 maximum salary of $2,970.54 per month.

    2) Will their newly acquired skills be utilized by the department or will they remain undertaking mundane duties.

    3) Being fully aware that the word “supersession” is popular in the Civil Service, what are the prospects of being promoted ahead of less qualified individuals who have a considerable amount of years in the service.

    4) Forget about qualifications, hold on to the job, earn a monthly salary and hope for the best.

  36. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Caswell Franklyn May 24, 2016 at 8:44 PM
    “Barbados is a parody of the Government at Westminster. We have all the institutions and functionaries on paper but none of them seems to work as intended. As a result, the country has degenerated to become a thriving kleptocracy. Corruption flourishes in almost every aspect of this society.”

    You call it a “parody” of Westminster. It seems more like a comedy of political errors staged by a bunch of monkeys stealing bananas from the taxpayers’ tray in a land of brass bowls fictionally called Barbaria.

    Even a group of chimps dressed in western-style business suits and unintentionally flipping through the pages of Erskine May’s Bible would leave much more of a genuine impression of being intelligent than the current lot of despicable vagabonds pretending to be ministers of the Crown.

    Under which other Westminster-form of government would the primus inter pares get up in a hallowed parliament and announced to the world his undying admiration and loyalty to a forensically established fraudster, money launderer and tax evader and still maintain his prime ministerial status unless he is indeed a Primate into Parris?

    ‘Dem’ white people are really having a good laugh at the black Bajan politicians ‘monkeying’ around a parliament for a court full of jesters with only the blonde wigs missing as their consummate paraphernalia.

    Even Al Jolson and his ‘blackened’ white minstrels would have done a better job of imitation of the current parliament than the existing lot of real black dim-witted, lazy troupe of buffoons.

  37. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/05/26/bwa-tops-list-of-highly-indebted-state-entities/

  38. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    This is downright criminal…ministers and others should be heavily sanctioned for this, it’s not any type of good management.

    “BWA tops list of highly indebted state entities
    Added by Kaymar Jordan on May 26, 2016.
    Saved under Business, Local News

    inShare
    The embattled Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has come in for unflattering mention in this year’s Auditor General’s report.

    In fact, based on the results of a survey on the indebtedness of state agencies, the BWA has earned the dubious honour of coming out on top.

    In his report, the Auditor General expressed concern that about 50 state agencies’ accounts were not included in Government’s financial statements. However, he said based on a survey of 28 entities, liabilities in the amount of $1.4 billion were recorded.

    This includes $266 million for the BWA, which was broken down into $162.5 million in loans, $46.9 million in payables and $57.2 million in pension liabilities.

    This has nothing to do with the Barbados Workers Union’s demands for payment of over $30 million in increments, which are due to 830 unionized workers who staged crippling protest action in March to force the BWA’s hand.

    The embattled BWA has also recently been grappling with severe water challenges that have left residents in the north and east severely hamstrung.

    Also listed among the highly indebted state entities are the Barbados Agricultural Management Company at $244 million; Barbados Conference Service Limited at $50 million; Barbados National Oil Company Limited at $176 million; Barbados National Terminal Company Limited at $90 million; the Barbados Port Inc at $133 million; the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation at $94 million; the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at $196 million and the Transport Board at $172 million.

    Among the entities which did not submit information as requested were the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, National Housing Corporation and the Sanitation Service Authority.

    The Auditor General, who also highlighted the fact that only three of the 20 Government ministries submitted revenue statements in accordance with the Financial Management and Audit Act, expressed strong concern about the under reporting.

    He said it could result in Government, the public and other stakeholders not having a comprehensive view of public finances, which also affects decision-making.

    ScreenXshotX2016-05-25XatX7.55.23XPM

  39. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    millertheanunnaki May 25, 2016 at 11:06 PM #

    @ Caswell Franklyn May 24, 2016 at 8:44 PM
    “Barbados is a parody of the Government at Westminster. We have all the institutions and functionaries on paper but none of them seems to work as intended. As a result, the country has degenerated to become a thriving kleptocracy. Corruption flourishes in almost every aspect of this society.”
    ……………………………………………………………….

    Caswell has hit the nail on the head.

    Interesting to note,as you should be aware that here in the UK systems are also failing.

    Question:…. is this behaviour any different to that that of 500 years ago when our ancestors Kith&Kin sold them into slavery and indentureship?

    Why do we expect anything different in human beings……we cannot change our genetic makeup without radical surgery.

  40. David Avatar
    David

    News recap by Stephanie:

    Stephanie wrote: "Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Fresh off the press. Here is your daily newscap. NO TAXES PAID BY BARBADOS TURF CLUB SINCE 2010 – This country’s Auditor General has raised the red flag over the operations of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC).Leigh Trotman says not only has the horse racing association failed to submit the required monthly reports to the Accountant General, but it has not paid a single cent in taxes since 2010. Frustrated by the situation, Trotman is now recommending that firm action be taken to recoup the outstanding amounts.In his recently published report for 2015, the Auditor General revealed that a reminder letter was forwarded to the Turf Club on July 11, 2012 requesting that the outstanding information be submitted. However, he said, as at March 31, 2016, no further follow up action had been taken. Back in 2008, the horse racing association, which is responsible for organizing this island’s most lucrative horse racing event, the annual Sandy Lane Gold Cup, which carries a purse of $200,000, benefited from a write off in the amount of $19.2 million for unpaid and outstanding taxes due over a number of years. At the time, BTC President Sir David Seale had announced at an open forum held in the Incitatus Members Lounge at the Garrison Savannah, that Government had forwarded a letter confirming that debt owed by the club for many years would finally be written off. Sir David had also taken the opportunity to thank the David Thompson-led administration, which had just come to office, for taking the decision, saying it opened the way for the BTC to go forward in a positive way.He also revealed that in addition to writing off this old outstanding debt, Government had given the BTC some other helpful concessions, such as what is given to agriculture.And he had high praise for those at the BTC who did “a sterling job working with the past Government, and now the present Government to finally get this debt written off”.He went on to say that high on the list of priorities for the BTC was the introduction of evening/night racing, as this would attract more locals due to the fact that racing would not be clashing with many of the other sports.Sir David also said that with the debt written off, the club would have been in a position to approach commercial banks to negotiate loans for capital development, something that could not have been done when the debt was outstanding. BARBADOS WATER AUTHORITY LOCKED TO CONTRACTORS – THE BARBADOS WATER AUTHORITY (BWA) bound itself into an arrangement with the sole bidder for its new headquarters before substantial negotiations were completed. At the same time, the BWA has failed to provide critical information related to the project.This has been highlighted by Auditor General Leigh Trotman in the latest annual report in which he commented on public-private partnership (PPP) projects, which a number of state agencies have been using to execute some of their participations. Innotech Services Ltd was the contractor for the new headquarters in the Pine, St Michael, under a PPP arrangement. The BWA signed an agreement in March 2013 for the design, finance and construction of the complex. It also included the lease of the premises to the BWA for 13 years. FRESH MOVE TO TOPPLE AKANNI – A FRESH MOVE is afoot to topple firebrand leader Akanni McDowall from the leadership perch of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW). After a no-confidence motion against the NUPW president fizzled last week, investigations have found that the matter has not ended. McDowall explained last week Wednesday that the motion had failed to garner the minimum 50 signatures needed to push it forward for consideration.“The general secretary would’ve written the person who brought it in and said that the no-confidence motion was invalid because it did not have enough signatures . . . . In the union, you require 50 signatures to be able to bring a no-confidence motion against any executive member,” McDowall stated then. CONCERN OVER SHORTAGE OF INTERN SPACES – INDEPENDENT SENATOR Carol Lady Haynes has given her support to the Caribbean Accreditation Authority (Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions) Incorporation Bill 2016 debated in the Senate yesterday. However, Lady Haynes called for a balance between the business aspect and the administrative reality.“I speak particularly of the shortage of internship spaces for which we have suffered over several years now. I heard Senator [Sir Henry] Fraser this morning talk about the original scheme where not more than 25 interns should have been here in Barbados. This is not currently the case,” she said.“I would want to put my concern that as we look at our medical schools, we ensure that we just don’t look at the foreign exchange dollars” because internship spaces had to be found for students. SIX MEN SHED ABOUT TO COLLAPSE – A SIGNIFICANT LANDMARK at Six Men’s in St Peter is falling into the sea. It is the popular shed in the heart of the fishing community which has been a hang-out spot for several residents, particularly men, who play dominoes, cards and generally socialise. Several concerned residents contacted the press yesterday to publicly plead for Government to do something urgently about the beach erosion in the area and save the community shed.Its back section has already been uprooted and is leaning dangerously towards the sea. However, yesterday, the area was visited, men were still fearlessly congregating inside the shed despite the perilous situation. CALL FOR BUS HUB – AFTER COMPLAINTS by residents of his constituency over poor bus service, MP for St Lucy Denis Kellman has called for the creation of a bus hub in the north. He said this would replace Bridgetown as the port of call for many commuters.Speaking at a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) branch meeting in Pie Corner, Kellman listened and responded to his constituents who vented their frustration over the lack of a steady bus service.“One of the issues is that I don’t like to see buses travelling from Town and going through Free Hill [Black Rock] and all of those short distances,” one upset resident said during the meeting. “And have minibuses travelling all through Town, when the further-out parishes are suffering for buses. All through Deacons Road and all those places are getting Transport Board buses.” IPL KEEPING EYE ON GAYLE – West Indies opener Chris Gayle’s “friendly fun” banter with female journalists, has now caught the attention of officials of the Indian Premier League (IPL).Gayle, who has earned millions of dollars in the IPL, Twenty20 cricket’s richest tournament, has drawn criticism for inappropriate sexist comments made to two female journalists in Australia and England respectively. He invited an Australian out on a date while being interviewed on television and subsequently told her not to blush after she appeared uncomfortable with his overture. He also reportedly asked a Times journalist if she had ever engaged in a threesome or been involved with black men. He also suggestively told her he had the “biggest bat in the world” and that she would have to use two hands to lift it.Today IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India might also have a word with the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman about his public conduct. Gayle is slated to play in the final of the IPL this Sunday. The BCCI, however, may not take any action until an official complaint is lodged. DIGICEL & WICB SIGN NEW DEAL – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has inked a new agreement with Digicel that should result in benefits for both entities. As the biggest supporter of cricket across the region for the last 12 years, this time around Digicel will be helping to grow the already massive appeal of the game by sponsoring the women’s and U19s teams – in addition to the men’s senior team.Another major part of Digicel’s new commitment to West Indies Cricket will be the coaching clinics that will be developed across the Caribbean to find and nurture the cricket stars of the future – as well as a strong mix of branding and advertising at home games, activations, promotional opportunities and more access to the teams. And, for the first time ever, the Digicel logo will also have a presence on all West Indies team’s jerseys at ICC events.Digicel’s commitment will help the strategic growth of the WICB’s business and provide greater engagement for fans and benefits to Digicel customers. This includes the support of the long form of the game, and the future of Test Cricket, and this will play out with the broadcasting of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day Competition set to start later this year. CALL FOR UWI GANJA RESEARCH – A GOVERNMENT SENATOR has stopped short of calling for marijuana to be legalised for medicinal purposes, but he chastised the University of the West Indies (UWI) for failing to capitalise of the financial gains to be derived. “What I am saying is we have this talent at the University of the West Indies and we should have been at the forefront of the research of marijuana usage for medical purposes,” Jepter Ince charged while supporting the Caribbean Accreditation Authority [Education in Medicine and other Health Professions) (Incorporation) Bill 2016 in the Senate yesterday. Ince said it was time the university relook its academic base as it pertained to the more traditional subjects, “or not we are going to be left behind – at the side of the road”.According to him, the growing interest in marijuana research indicated its properties could have potential benefits. He believes the UWI was not doing enough research in this area. “We have within the United States where young people are being helped by the private sector as well as government to set up these massive marijuana greenhouses to do research and the results are looking positive. Not only that . . . I have also been paying attention to the marijuana stocks [on Wall Street] and they are what we call penny stocks lying idle. “What is going to happen . . . this is Jepter’s opinion, once the United States reaches the stage where they have found the remedies in marijuana for a lot of diseases, they are going to issue licences to bring that into the country.” RECRUITS – THE NEWEST POLICE CONSTABLES to pass out from the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC) have been urged to never do anything that would cause them to lose their credibility, integrity and honesty as they go about their duties. This challenge came from chairman of Williams Industries, Ralph “Bizzy” Williams, as he delivered the featured address at the 139th Passing-Out Parade yesterday.Williams told them that those three attributes were priceless commodities and they should never allow money or anything to corrupt them because it would lead to regret on a dead-end road.He said in his company he had developed a code of conduct over 20 years ago and because of that, they had lost a lot of contracts but he did not regret instituting the code. BAIL LOTTO – SOME LAWYERS are equating the granting of bail in magistrates’ courts to playing the lottery. Warning that inconsistency with the application of bail was a serious problem, one lawyer called for clear rules that would allow justice to be “dispensed evenly”.The reactions came in response to recent comments by attorney Arthur Holder, who voiced strong concerns about the matter.Speaking particularly about granting of bail to persons charged with drug offences, Holder called for a defined practice direction across the board for magistrates hearing bail applications. Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim agreed there was merit to Holder’s contention. DECOMPOSED BODY IN SERENE FIELD OF GANJA – Police have confirmed the identity of a body removed from a shallow grave in a canefield at Bayfield, St Philip yesterday.Dead is 42-year-old Michael Mapp of Blades Hill in the same parish. Police say the victim was reported missing on Monday but had not been seen since May 18.It was around 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday when family members, who went in search of Mapp, discovered the grave and summoned police. The body was found in a state of decomposition. An autopsy is to be performed to determine the cause of death. In the meantime, lawmen are investigating the discovery of 893 cannabis plants, the tallest being two feet, which were seized, along with 961 seedlings, in the same bushy area where Mapp’s body was found. PENSIONER DIES AFTER BEING BEATEN BY SON IN GUYANA – Seventy-one year-old Rickford Bourne died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Monday evening, four days after being badly beaten by his 36-year-old son Kwame Bourne.According to reports, Kwame Bourne would regularly threaten to kill his father when he did not receive money to support his smoking habit. The incident is reported to have happened sometime during last Thursday, May 19, in Turkeyen. It is said that an argument broke out between the father and son. During the quarrel, the son reportedly picked up an iron bar that was used to reinforce a window and struck his father repeatedly about the body. The now dead man’s daughter, Aisha Bourne who lives some nine houses away, told this newspaper that she received a call from neighbours urging her to check on her father as quickly as possible as they had heard the man screaming. She said that she rushed over but by the time she arrived, her brother was already gone and she found her father lying on the floor trying to bandage his head and covered in blood.She noted that her father had sustained a deep gash on his right forearm; his left eye was completely swollen shut and had at least three deep cuts in his head.The woman said that she subsequently took him to the hospital where he was admitted. Rickford Bourne according to reports was on life support at the hospital and eventually succumbed to his injuries at approximately 8 p.m. on Monday. His daughter told Kaieteur News that she was going to visit her father when she received the dreadful news. Police have indicated that a post mortem will be done Wednesday. They have since arrested Kwame Bourne and have identified the iron bar as the weapon used in the attack. The suspect is due to appear in court on Friday to face a charge of murder. GUYANA HONOURS FREUNDEL – Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is to be bestowed with the Order of Roraima, Guyana’s second highest award, at State House on Thursday.Stuart is being honoured for his dedication and commitment to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and his unflinching support for the rights of Small Island Developing States. The Guyana government has also recognized his long, dedicated and outstanding service as a legal practitioner. Stuart is in Guyana for the observance of the nation’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence.On Wednesday, he paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency. JDAE’S GIFT OF SOUND – Two-year-old Jdae Prescott jumped for joy yesterday when, for the first time in her life, she heard the barking of the dogs in the backyard of her St Thomas home.The toddler covered her eyes, ran to the window, and pointed to the pets that she was used to seeing but had never heard.Jdae, who is hearing impaired, had a cochlear implant (CI) surgically affixed to her inner ear on Monday, making it possible for her to hear for the first time. The child’s family realized something was wrong when, at ten months old, Jdae would not respond to sound, no matter how loud.Tests later proved the girl was hearing impaired, forcing the desperate and determined mother to investigate every possible route to a remedy. Prescott’s relentless efforts led to a partnership involving the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, the World Paediatric Project (WPP) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), which resulted in Monday’s life changing surgery that delivered the gift of hearing to her daughter. Monday’s operation at the QEH was the first of its kind in the Caribbean and was conducted by Medical Director of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine Cochlear Implant Program Dr Daniel Coelho, with assistance from Dr Roy Forde and Dr Chris Maynard, both of the QEH. To Jdae’s father Damian Griffith, watching his daughter react for the first time to the barking of the dogs was “humbling”. Jdae will be three years old in September but she has not yet learned how to speak. The father said the family’s next priority would be speech therapy for her. Well that’s all for today folks. Have a terrific Thursday. 🙂 Shalom <3 Steph."

  41. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    People keeping failing to understand that man made systems throughout the last thousands of years ALL ran their course, nothing man creates lasts forever, it’s all fleeting as is man, lasts for a moment…500 years….then disintegrstes….turns to dust and disappears.

  42. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Vincent Haynes May 26, 2016 at 5:36 AM

    The difference between “here in the UK” and ‘there’ in Barbados is that the heads (leaders) of failing institutions (both public and private and including the Church) fall on their own swords or are forced to ‘resign’ in disgrace.

    Do you really feel Dave Cameron could have stood at the Dispatch Box and expressed such avowed support for a man like Parris and still be the PM the next week?

    If Cameron loses the upcoming Referendum on the EU do you think he could remain as PM as Fumble is doing in light of the Cahill and Maloney scandals?
    Michael Gove or Boris J would be chomping at the bit for the top pick.

    But I like your philosophical view of Life. Nihilism, nihilism, nothing but nihilism.
    What are humans without ART? Just a bunch of apes engaging ad infinitum in one endless round of ESAF with the vital the functions of S&P.
    Shouldn’t we (like Mark Twain or Elbert Hubbard) see Life for what it really is? “….Just one damned thing after another”.

    In memory of the old Barb (with last April marking 400 years of his passing in the parade) maybe we ought to take a Shakespearian view of Life and see it as follows:

    “All the world’s a stage,
    And all the men and women merely players;
    They have their exits and their entrances,
    And one man in his time plays many parts,
    His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
    Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.

    Then, the whining school-boy with his satchel
    And shining morning face, creeping like snail
    Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
    Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
    Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then, a soldier,
    Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
    Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
    Seeking the bubble reputation
    Even in the cannon’s mouth.

    And then, the justice,
    In fair round belly, with a good capon lined,
    With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
    Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
    And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
    Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
    With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
    His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
    For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
    Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
    And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
    That ends this strange eventful history,
    Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
    Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

  43. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    Prominent businessman Ralph Bizzy Williams is urging the latest additions to the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) not to give in to the temptation to engage in corruption.

    Businessman Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams as he prepared to address the recruits.
    Businessman Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams as he prepared to address the recruits.

    Williams, the guest speaker at the 139th passing out parade for police recruits from Anguilla and Barbados this evening, said Barbados remained one of the safest places to live because of the work of the RBPF.

    However, he warned the recruits to be aware of enticements that could affect their integrity and credibility.

    “Do not ever allow money to corrupt your way of life. It is a dead end street that you will regret forever,” he cautioned.

    “As I circulate around I hear people talking about corruption in our society, about white collar crime, about the infestation of drug [related] violence, and about the running of guns and all these sorts of things. It makes me really sad to think that in a place that could be so harmonious and such a lovely place to live, Barbados and the other Caribbean countries, that we would engage in this sort of activity.”

    Additionally, the business magnate advised the new officers to pursue corrupters with the same degree of eagerness and professionalism with which they go after ordinary criminals.

    “Everywhere you think there is corruption you need to look for the corrupters as well, and you need to carry out your duties without fear or favour, irrespective of what it might cost you. It is worth doing for Barbados and for the Caribbean. Please do not be misled into believing that there are no corrupters around, because there can’t be corruption without corrupters,” he explained.

    “I appeal to you not to pay attention to who is the cousin or the family member or how wealthy they are. You need to go after who is doing wrong regardless of where they are in society.”

    A total of 35 Barbadians and 14 Anguillians completed the 15-course training programme over a six-month period at the Seawell, Christ Church-based Regional Police Training Centre.

    In a speech punctuated with funny tales, the Chairman of Williams Industries added that some businesspeople and “some involved in Government [could] do with some of this training because some of them don’t behave with any sort of discipline”.

    He said he was so impressed with the training that he would pledge $10,000 a year for three years in the first instance towards the training facility.

  44. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    Bizzy does really tek micky out of bajans. For years he rode a horse named ‘black bajan employees of mine have shares in Williams Industries’. That horse had 2 broken legs and was lame in the other two legs so he can’t ride um anymore. The employees does be lucky if they get two rice grains from those shares.

    This is man who gave Barbados Ionics and SBRC.

  45. Past Zone Avatar
    Past Zone

    Bizzy offered to contribute/donate $10,000.00 a month to the Regional Training Centre, what a generous and thoughtful man. But considering that he does get $1 MILLLION DOLLARS a month as a penalty from SSA/GOB for not supplying the full quantity of garbage, it becomes clear this is donation is just some scratch grain for the fowls.

  46. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    millertheanunnaki May 26, 2016 at 7:16 AM #

    Chuckle……excellent rebuttal,to which I agree as far as falling on ones sword and honouring the established conventions of the westminster system.

    So tell me has mankind changed in anyway over the millenia from the brutish beast that it is…..The bard had the measure of humanity 400 years ago.

    Change can only come by a change in the genetic construct……for that you have to see if BT can help you by interceding with BBE.

  47. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Past Zone…he is giving them back their own money and calling it a donation, so he is seen as alwsys giving back, but it’s their money…but ALL the black men in government and the police force, are too stupid to see.

    Why do you think the contracts Bizzy, Cow et al make with any of the 2 governments are just carefully worded legal scams so he benefits from millions of taxpayer dollars, then come back later to pretend he is the island’s savior….and black men allow this every year.

  48. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    ” do not be misled into believing that there are no corrupters around, because there can’t be corruption without corrupters,” he explained.”

    Bizzy thinks it’s a joke, they should have handcuffed his corrupting and corrupt ass immediately, if they were not weaklings.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    The AG recommends the government to establish clear guidelines for entering PPPs. And he wonders why the low level interest by the private sector and 2) why has government floated financial rules by not putting out to tender several projects.

  50. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Bizzy Williams really got some gall though. I suppose that he would have made this speech about corruption and corruptors with a straight face. Is this the same Bizzy Williams who publicly admitted putting money in both political parties. Did he not realise that by giving campaign contributions to political parties, without declaring it to the Supervisor of Elections, is an offence. That is also corruption and that makes him a corruptor.

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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