Est.2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Akanni McDowall’s Removal Was Politically Motivated

← Back

Your message to the BLOGMASTER was sent

CONTACT THE BLOGMASTER ONLY

Akanni McDowall,
Esther Byer, Minister of Labour

 

Do you remember that the authorities promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding Akanni’s demotion before they meet with the NUPW to discuss the matter. Well I believe that the union is being played for a fool since I understand that Akanni’s replacement took up duties this morning – Caswell Franklyn, Barbados Underground

The revelation by trade unionist Caswell Franklyn (see above) that the position NUPW President Akanni McDowall was filled raises several concerns. Based on media reports and confirmed by NUPW representative Delcia Burke in a public forum this week, McDowall’s recent contract was terminated BEFORE 31 October 2016 the maturity date written in the contract.  McDowall from all reports was acting in the more senior role for many months.

The more troubling issue for BU is that it exposes Minister Esther Byer-Suckoo and by extension the government as strangers to the truth. Didn’t Byer -who has no standing in the matter by her admission- advise the public the matter is being investigated by the relevant government department?  AND a meeting will be held with McDowall to respond to his concern there was political interference behind the decision to appoint him to his substantive position?

Surely the barefaced dishonesty and incompetence being practice by this government must be addressed by civil society? What role does morality play in our society? How will the NUPW and its 10,000 membership react to the effrontery?

BU is certain McDowall’s ‘demotion’ was politically motivated.

Related Link: The Caswell Franklyn Column – Akanni McDowall Kicked to the Kerb

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

98 responses to “Akanni McDowall’s Removal Was Politically Motivated”

  1. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Several member of this administration lie to the public with impunity, knowing full well that the only body that has the power to punish them is a prime minister who seem to have no balls. He allows them to treat him and the rest of the public with utter contempt. It appears as though the PM is powerless to stop them or that their behaviour is condoned by him. Whatever the case, Barbados has now descended to the status of a banana republic.

  2. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    The prime minister may not have testicular fortitude to act when he ought, but as a man of considerable influence in our society, do you honestly think that the way you characterized the leader of the country sets a good precedent for the young people who sees you as a role model?

  3. HAMILTON A HILL Avatar
    HAMILTON A HILL

    Surprise surprise! this Prime Minister is the same person that heads the only cabinet in our history where in the face of collective responsibility a member publicly expresses dissension, not once but twice, and still remains a part of that cabinet. What is worse is the fact that not even from the media has there been an outcry.Banana Republic status enveloped this country for quite some time now. Watch how this fiasco just blows over and business as usual obtains. Bewitched Bajans !

  4. ac Avatar
    ac

    Mcdowall demotion was of his own making, no man can serve two masters at one time, the lill boy is still wet behind the ears have plenty growing to do some body took away his training wheels too fast it is time he gets them back

  5. lemuel Avatar
    lemuel

    Why do go around butting our heads against the proverbial stone time and time again to come up with the same answer? Members of the DLP during Tom Adams time held prominent positions with the NUPW and the DLP at the same time they were civil servants. Tom never touched a boy, but one eventually ran home or quickly retired because his contention was that Tom was trying to murder him with work.

    Akanni will be easy prey for the powers that be; within three weeks we here on BU shall go on to a new discussion.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    @lemuel

    Is this about Akanni or the naked abuse of power by the executive arm of government by its interference into the civil service.

  7. lemuel Avatar
    lemuel

    David:

    I truly understand Caswell’s point and yours about abuse of power. The only position Akanni can say is his in the public service is the one of Environmental Health Assistant. Where his was acting he had no claims because in the public service for the position to be filled requires that it be advertised. Then he would have to apply. He has nothing to clearly give him a claim to the post and certainly not three months.

  8. lemuel Avatar
    lemuel

    Abuse of power would apply if he had done the prerequisite time and was then unceremoniously removed from the post without regard for the expectation that he would have had in relation to the post.

  9. Retribution-things that make me go hum! Avatar
    Retribution-things that make me go hum!

    Dompey, your response to Caswell is a roll of horse shit!

    Caswell, the PM Is in FULL control and very aware of all happenings in his Party and cabinet. He however, likes to move at his own drum.

    This is just a simple case of jealousy – it spreads in the public service like a bad virus. Bajans hate each other. I know of Akanni and I can attest that his removal is purely politically motivated.

    Akanni, when Jesus say yes ain’t nobody that can say no. Hold yah head up my brother!!

  10. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Lemuel

    Akanni was appointed to act by the Governor-General for a specific period and should only be removed before the expiration of that period for cause. The only cause in this case seem to be that he no longer gives total yardfowl support to the DLP. Mind you, he is not the first victim who the DLP punished for what it perceives as disloyalty to the almighty DLP.

    Presently, there is a case, of a former worker of the Rural Development Commission, before the Employment Rights Tribunal where he swore on oath that he was given his job because of the work he did during the 2007/8 election campaign, and was fired because he fell out favour with the DLP. He also stated on oath that when he got fired, he approach Dennis Kellman, who said that he (Kellman) had to get rid of the worker because he would criticise Kellman of Brasstacks.

    Sent from my iPad

  11. ac Avatar
    ac

    There are a bunch of hypocrites in the NUPW , those who are now jumping up and down making the most noises about Mcdowall demotion were among those one year after Mcdowall became President sending messages for his resignation,
    don/t mek me laugh a couple of days before his official termination is now causing a few heads to turn, it seems to me that after Mcdowall almost demise of NUPW President he should have more to be concerned about who his friends are within the Union brigade then a couple days of demotion

  12. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Stuart is in a catch 22 situation owing to the 16/14 hand dealt his party by the electorate.Stuart likes the trappings of power and prestige but not the work load in the office nor in the society at large.He is therefore willing to sit back and allow his ministers to do as they see fit with the understanding that he will not embarrass or discipline them as long as they don’t go back to the GG like they did in the last session.

  13. recoanthony Avatar
    recoanthony

    ANY FOOLISH PRIME MINISTER THAT GET HIT FOR SIX, COULD BE IN CONTROL OF ANYTHING, WASTE OF TIME….WHAT DE MEMBERS NEEDS TO DO IS STOP THE 6.00 AN GIVE CASWELL FRANKLYN DE VOTE…I’M SURE THEY WILL GET FULL REP. TELL DE GOV. AND THE IMPS IN THERE GO TO HELL

  14. recoanthony Avatar
    recoanthony

    WHERE IN THE WORLD COO-SUCK LOSS THAT SEAT IN ST G SOUTH AN STILL HOLDING OFFICE IN THE SAME POSITION, ONLY BOUT HERE, DEMONIC LYING PARTY DEM IS

  15. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    You people who support the demotion of Mcdowall are wicked-is-shite. Regardless if the youngster may have been a bit feisty in some of the more controversial matters that cause him to come under the microscope, Jesus H Christ the same wicked ass Prime Minister said about the Michael Carrington matter that it had nothing to do directly with his role as Speaker of the House. As a result, the immoral Prime Minister told the other immoral and unethical speaker of the house, and a member of his cabinet, to just go and get a lawyer. He is still sitting in the chair untouched and unscathed. If you apply that same logic to the Mcdowall situation, his NUPW responsibilities had nothing do directly with his role in a senior acting government position. He acted for two years, a clear indication that his work was good enough to continue. His demotion now is merely representative of the dirty stuff the DLP is made of. A bunch of wicked ass dictators.

  16. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    The young man was ineffective as a leader in the first, but I am not saying that his demotion ought not be examine, but the sad fact is over the summer I do recall reading an article on Barbados Today where is was said that the major of membership of the union were dissatisfied with this guy’s leadership, and were actively seeking to removed him.

  17. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    SSS

    This guy may have been acting in his position for two-years, and as one of blogger above pointed out: the position he occupied was not posted, and as a leader of an union he ought to have known that the position should have been posted first before it was given to him. And as a leader of an union he knows better, and I have seen it during the years where employees were offered position where management intentionally did not post, because management favoured the particular employee know that the employee did not meet the qualifications for the job description, or there were things in the employee’s file which might have disqualified the employee.

  18. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    SSS

    “He acted for two years in that position, a clear indication that his work was good enough to continue” Nope!

    Not if the position that was given, was done so through nepotism. I’ve seen incompetent people worked in managerial positions for years and on the account that they were favoured by management for brown nosing.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    He was remove from the position weeks before his contract was to end.

    Minister Byer incorrectly advised the public on the matter.

    You have a hard head.

    >

  20. Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right - INRI Avatar
    Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI

    @ The Honourable Blogmaster

    You are being nice to the Donkey.

    You are restraining yourself and it is noticeable heheheheheheh

    De ole man believeth that it has much to do with certain daily “doctoral regurgitations” read echolalia pertaining to “join the discussion, you never know how expressing your view…..”

    Donkey is a SCVUNT and you dun know that and no amount of cuddling the pudendum and mons veneris going change that.

    I noted that the Sage alluded to his bulleristic indoctrinations at Station Hill AND, even though Bush Tea, Well Weel and de ole man had nothing to do with such pronouncement, we were quickly appended to the diatribe and invective that followed for the Sage.

    All de ole man would say to give the old ham comfort is that all of us men here commenting are homosexuals

    Yessssss, I have said it and we all need to admit to it.

    For how else can Herr Goebbels Fumbles and STINKLIAR (of the unknown decimal point) be able to bend over 270,000 Bajans (and 40,000 guyanese of whom Charles Leackycock is the leader) and bult them (bult indicates the extent of bul*ing) on a daily basis?

    ammmmmmm could de ole man enquire of Donkey, if grease was applied?

    watch now as only one man of the 270,000 Bajans (less the women) that i have imputed are homosexuals, watch now as the one who was bult rises to defend his virtue, virginity and virility being as vacuous as he is….heheheheheheh

  21. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Piece

    For your information Sir,I’ve been in the union for more than three-decades now, and within the thirty or so years that I been in the Union several of those years I have spent being an union delegate, in which I have represented many of my cowork throughout the grievance process. How about you Sir?

  22. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Piece

    Why is that you have to write a book in order to explain what obviously can be explained in a few words? Old man you have missed the entire idea in university regarding how to conveying your ideas concise and effective because your long and boring diatribe as well as your corny jokes takes up too much space on the blog.

  23. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    DOMPEY LEAVE PIECE ALONE
    AT LEAST HE IS NOT A DEVIL
    AND YOU NEVER KNOW HOW EXPRESSING HIS VIEW MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

  24. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Georgie Porgie

    I know de old man ain’t nah Devil but boy, he surely acts like aa Demon at times.

  25. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @Georgie Porgie October 27, 2016 at 11:29 AM “DOMPEY LEAVE PIECE ALONE.”

    What you upholding Dompey for?

  26. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    BECAUSE HE IS JOINING IN THE DISCUSSION YOU NEVER KNOW HOW EXPRESSING HIS VIEW MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
    AT LEAST HE IS NOT GIVING KOOL AID IS HE?

  27. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    ”Not if the position that was given, was done so through nepotism. I’ve seen incompetent people worked in managerial positions for years and on the account that they were favoured by management for brown nosing.”

    So Mcdowall got the position through nepotism and brown nosing? I think that is a lot of government workers in senior positions. Any how, what does that got to do with his demotion? Dompey, where the others attack you viciously for your views, the SSS reads your commentary differently. However, you know if you write shite, I am going to say you write shite. So explain to me the differences between Mcdowalls demotion and lost of his senior government position contract when compared to the immoral act committed by Michael Carrington. Tell me why one was demoted and the other stayed when the matters of concern, as indicated by the Prime Minister of Barbados in the Michael Carrington case, related not to his duties as speaker of the chair.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    Now Mia has joined the akanni fray.

    #itispolitical

  29. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    The unions have to come together and fight this matter to the bitter end or else shut shop and go home.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    The unions have been clobbered almost to submission although the BWU did make a stand against the BWA recently. Truth be told the BWA was and still is in a weakened condition. If the NUPW cannot standup for one of their own like you stated they need to close shop.

  31. Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right - INRI Avatar
    Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI

    @ The Honourable Blogmaster

    I would tend to give another take on this Union matter and your statement of “the Union being clobbered”.

    It is purported that Lyndon B Johnson and a faction of the CIA and the FBI and others within the power elite of the mechanism of the USofA had the Kennedy Boys killed “because they could not be bought out” and the Bay of Pigs incident sealed their death(s)

    It is purported that Patrice Lumumba was similarly killed under similar collusion of the Government of Belgium and the CIA because he could not be bought out and the resources of the Republic of the Congo being used for the self edification of Niggers was well “not kosher”

    The key issue here is one which Bush Tea always repeats in his cry for Caswell Franklyn to rise up – the Cry for Men and Women who cannot be bought by a duty free BMW and other inducements.

    THe problem n these matters is what is your price.

    If anywhere along your almost 9 years of running BU and an offer came from the Troika or the Demonic Lying Party to sell Barbados Underground we could equally experience a situatio where you might abdicate this Social Media platform.

    Let us be serious about this Union predicament.

    We are dealing with men and women who want fame and power and adulation AND, unlike Caswell? are not in this conflict to represent the workers BUT ARE THERE FOR SELF AGGRANDIZEMENT.

    That is the accusation that is always levelled at David Commissiong you know

    It is not that he is seeking to represent the interests of the underdog but that he has another agenda.

    And therein lies the Rubicon which we cant seem to cross.

    It is in our education system, our churches, our police, our society, our region and our world the affliction of me-ism and what we can get for ourselves as opposed to what is my role, what does my job mandate me to do, and how do i live by my implementing the understanding of and commitment to “I am my brother’s keeper”

  32. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Old Man

    You need to read the book called The Kennedy Conspiracies and Warren Investigation,if you believe that Lyndon B. Johnson acted alone when he ordered the death of the Kennedy boys. In that book is was purported that the mafia boss Sam Giancana, Fidel Castro, Lee Harvey, Oswald, the CIA,the KGB, Hoover and the FBI, had something to do with the Kennedy’s death.

  33. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Old Man

    Your limited belief system causes you to surmised that all are motivmotive by monetary gain. If Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr, were motivated my monitary gain, where would our world would be today? There are those of us who are motivated by a sense of justice rather than monitary gain whether ill-gotten legitimate.

  34. Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right - INRI Avatar
    Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI

    Donkey!!!

    Are you some sort of a jenny donkey???

    Which part of “…It is purported that Lyndon B Johnson and a faction of the CIA and the FBI and others within the power elite of the mechanism of the USofA…” means that what is being said is that Johnson acted alone???

    In addition to the fact that you missed the word and a faction…. and others withing the power elite… you will realise that de ole man said “It is purported”

    By so saying de ole man is not stating a fact but is using the third person singular to propose “an allegation or a claim of a fact by a hypothetical third party which, until it can be proved, remain merely assertions.”

    Secondly, doufus doth thou see or hear anyone here on this BU landscape intimate that we have such Mahatma Ghandis or Mandelas on the Local Landscape?

    Why the ef you doan read de effing construct and stick to the effing script?

    The posit that de ole man maketh is that in the context of local trade union movements that it would seem that there are none of you effers who are not motivated by a sense of justice and all that pup dat you talk bout.

    Man jes stop an effing second and read.

    Whu I tell you though?

    If the comment is more than 2 sentences it will likely be outside of your ken and you must not comment on that because you will show up your ingrunce.

    Here is a sentence that you may comment on.

    The cow jumped over the moon. And your question is, where did the cow jump? and so that you will learn something from the exercise, google the distance that the cow would have to jump (from earth) to achieve that task.

    DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT RETURN TO BU until you know what that value is in feet and SI units to 10 significant figures by heart.

    OK?

    Steupseeee

  35. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Old man, do mah aa big big big favour … why don’t you go to bed because I know its way beyond your bedtime, and stop jamming up de blog with your long boring diatribe. I thought we had a talk tah day about the importance of keeping what you’re writing concise and effective?

  36. ac Avatar
    ac

    What was Annaki first order of business ..Shut down de blasted country had the SSA workers out on strike garbage lined strets left and right germs let loose..he did not give a rats a.ss about country or public health risks and concerns then in the face of all that after strike is over demands govt pay the workers.
    Where was his compassion then.? Now after stiffing the SSA workers out of gainful employment he cries about a few days of demotion .Furthermore govt could have been heavy handed when the global crisis was wrecking nations and retrenched some of SSA workers but govt hold strain in favour of not releasing any of them.
    Now all the noise makers sit around like lords of the games calling plays of which they know nothing about

  37. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Piece

    I now realized that it is challenge for you to express what wish to saying in a few effective words. But I can’t hold you culpability for your inability to confabulation in a concise, coherent and lucid way, because it must be contributed to your schooling or perhaps it is your education?

  38. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Attributed old man

  39. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    Dompey. It is coming close to electorate politics and you have joined the “blue” colour brigade with vague and defective reasoning. “Piece” along with others are stating that the removal of someone before his contractual term is flawed and show that politics is the main factor. Why rush to push him to the back of the line when you know his slate is clean. By doing that it goes to show that the public service is rigged (Thrump terminology). How can you justify the removal of an individual without any discussion or him having a negative memo on his file. This is not a NUPW concern alone, or a BWU concern alone…..It is the destruction of Unionism. Sir Frank and Sir Grantley legacy representing the working class is being destroyed by thin skinned morons.

  40. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    The cruel irony is that this Government is formed from a labour party. Democratic LABOUR Party – what a joke!

    Sent from my iPad

  41. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    It seems like most here have chosen to intentionally disregarded Lemuel comment regarding the fact that the position Mcdowall occupied wasn’t posted, so that he an others could have gotten a fair shoot. I told you all here on BU that I’ve seen it happened in my three-decades in the union, where management leaves a vacancy open for sometime, and without posting that position puts an employee who is favoured in the position until the union file a grievance to have him or her removed. In the case of Barbados it is said the Mr. Mcdowall demotion was ordered by the DLP government and there isn’t anything wrong with that because as Lemuel stated above: that the postion Mcdowell occupied wasn’t posted and under the binding union contract the position has to be posted so the best qualify person can occupy the position.

  42. David Avatar
    David

    @Dompey
    An your response shows you have cherrypicked the points you want t address.

    1. Akanni’s contract is due to expire on October 31, 2016.
    2. The minister of Labour indicated that the PAD is gathering information to inform a meeting they have agreed to hold with Akannia?

    Here is another question for your, was the acting job advertised and was Akanni afforded the opportunity to apply?

    #headhard

  43. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    “The cruel irony is this government was formed form a labour party” SO?

    The doctor who pumped those drugs in Michael Jackson veins and ultimately killed him took the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm, but when greed and self-interest compromised one’s morals the results can’t be good Caswell. So I don’t see your point because you have no point, but the load of bullshit you continue to spew, peddle, pump about the DLP government. Caswell you is aa real B fah real boy.

  44. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    To answer your questions: I don’t know if he was offered an opportunity to apply for position, but had he not, you know for certain that Big-Mouth Caswell Franklyn would have made it known.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @Domps

    Again you have cherrypicked your response. What is your position on the revocation of the contract 6 weeks before it was due to end? What is your view about minister Suckoo misleading the public that the contract had come to an end? Try to be fair in your assessment of the situation.

  46. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David, I shall try my best tah answer your questions tahmorrow de wife just tell me bring my so and so ass tah bed. So I don’t want nah trouble because I learned long ago dah when de boss talk that I should listen and obey. Got tah run David later brother enjoy the remainder of the morning.

  47. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    To answer your first question regarding Mr. Mcdowall contract and Caswell Franklyn knows this being that he has had as much or more experience dealing with union affairs than me that : it is illegal to appoint someone to an union or government position if union contract dictates that the position must be first advertise before given and business manual require that it be done. And as Lemuel pointed out above that the fella was given the position by those who ought to known better than appointed someone to a position which mandates that it first should be advertised before given to the best qualify candidate.

  48. David Avatar
    David

    @Domps

    You have clearly demonstrated you have no ability to reason or you are being deliberate to achieve the label of an idiot…lol

    You can have the last word like your mate.

    On Fri, Oct 28, 2016 at 10:09 AM, Barbados Underground wrote:

    >

  49. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    Dumbert

    Is it not that Akanni’s qualification is in line with the said job?
    Would Akanni with his qualification and 2 years performing the job give him the opportunity to hold the post.
    Was this job advertised within or in the media to allow the said Akanni the opportunity to submit an application?
    Has this post be filled and can you state if the candidate is more qualified than Akanni?
    This is below the belt question. Is this another case like family first getting the job just like a certain Minister placing a family member in a management position?

    Let the public know without stupid excuses.

  50. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    …this post been filled……

The blogmaster invites you to join and add value to the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading