Submitted by George C. Brathwaite (PhD)
Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler
Today in Barbados, there are important political questions that must be raised about the relationships between state and society, and between wealth and power. With perhaps less than 15 months to go before the next general election, residents and citizens of Barbados are venting their frustrations about the status quo as issues relating to the economy and society fuel consternation. Barbadians are making their complaints known in a variety of ways, with the popular discourse often pitted in negativity coupled with a burning desire for positive change. Plain and simple, all is not well; and Barbadians are pleading for a better country.
In this article, I reveal several aspects binding the social, economic, and political issues that are consequential to the population’s anxieties. Many factors are giving rise to problems which are in turn erupting into social decadence, economic setbacks, and disarrayed governance. Blossoming in the current pessimistic environment are strains of power and wealth that feature in some uncertainties affecting almost every sphere of activity in the island. Indeed, Barbadians are claiming that our governance structures need serious reforms due to poor macroeconomic management occasioned by paltry performances and everyday governmental blunders.
The wishy-washy combination of ineffective policy programmes that are being repeatedly pursued by the Freundel Stuart administration have become quite staggering and damaging to the unemployed and perilous for the poor. There is a noticeable freefall of societal matters, with the politics of the day plunging into crisis proportions, thereby deepening the depths of national despair. On top of all that is happening, the fiscal dangers and debt burdens are expanding into a devalued sense of financial worth.
I well remember that on Monday June 15, 2015 Finance Minister in presenting the budgetary proposals stated: “The home grown economic stabilization and recovery plan which we [the beleaguered DLP administration] devised right here in Barbados is working. … The Barbados dollar is safe, the fiscal deficit has been cut by nearly half and is well on the way to more sustainable levels, and a tourism-led recovery in the Barbados economy is underway.” Was the gullible Barbadian in anyway deceived by the catchy words and misleading statements that were sewn together and fell from the lips of a political dramatist extraordinaire?
Personally, I do not think that the honourable politician would allow a grab for power to stifle truth. Rather, the population was hopeful for recovery. Of course, there are others still believing that the electorate was thrown a detour which would eventually lead to the sense of false hope that previously underscored the surprising victory achieved by the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in 2013. A three-peat remains possible although highly unlikely in 2017/18.
Strangely enough, in that same presentation, the Finance Minister made the telling point that: “The single largest issue facing the economy is that economic growth in Barbados remains below the 2.5 to 3.0 percent.” At the same time, the novice macroeconomic and financial manager was suggesting that “we must get back to normal levels of growth sooner rather than later.” Who would disagree? Certainly, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Leader of the Opposition, and the population need the road to prosperity.
Since 2008, economic growth in Barbados has fluctuated between the minus sign and the negligible. To date, apart from increased taxation and throwing almost everything into the tourism basket or selling state assets, there has been no clear articulation by the current Freundel Stuart-led government of a policy-direction that would bring about long-term sustainable and inclusive growth in the Barbados economy. Privatisation, once publicly derided by the DLP, is seeping into the national architecture through fractures and fissures – some more visible and obvious than others.
Poverty reduction still appears as fleeting as the capacity for the authorities to reduce public debt and to embark on serious initiatives for job creation. The provision of adequate social services inclusive of education, healthcare, transportation, water and waste management are far away from the ideal but clearly nearer to disaster. By sleight of hand, the unemployment and other informative statistical data continue to be cleverly manipulated so as not to expose the fact that a failing administration offers little respite for our youth, businesses, agricultural and manufacturing industries. Taken together, these factors and issues are dampening ‘real’ progress in Barbados.
Perhaps, five years is becoming too long an election cycle. One can speculate the degree to which the DLP politicians will manage to hold on to their seats given the perceptions that most, if not all of them, have benefitted significantly at the expense of the governed. The restitution of 10 percent of their salaries cannot have helped their cause, especially when public servants’ salaries have stood still for about seven years. How many of the more than 3, 000 are today gainfully employed or are reaping reasonable sources of income?
In addition, DLP politicians have not helped their re-electability after appearing to railroad the Public Accounts Committee and admonish anyone asking for detailed and accurate information on the Four Seasons, Hyatt, or other major projects that have been slated to bring much needed jobs to the local economy. With the thumping of chests each time a new project is announced, can the average Barbadian forget the uncomfortable relationships existing between government and the privileged few of a certain hue?
None are so bold as to overlook ministerial stubbornness, or to see beyond the nefarious intrusion of a wealthy white businessman perceived to be in the business of string-pulling of notable puppets lurking in political corridors. Public administration is marred with the lack of transparency and accountability on matters of national importance. There is certainly a correlation between the lack of transparency and the propensity for corruption. In Barbados, there is a strong incestuous marriage between political power and wealth.
In fairness to the politician, there is nothing wrong with the legal and transparent accumulation of wealth as an individual although government salaries are not of the enriching kind. More pertinent and as one study suggests: “the ‘invisible hand’ of the market depends heavily on the support of a thick ‘glove’ of rules, norms, and institutions … but too often the glove is opaque, obscuring flows of information essential to the efficient and equitable functioning of both markets and the national and international institutions that regulate them.” All persons coming to public office must be transparent in their dealings.
Before the next elections are called, Barbadians ought to advocate for free access to information, particularly on the formulation of agreements which invariably impact the public purse. Barbadians must be mindful that the wealthy and those very proximate to the political elites will garnish favours in exchange for filled brown paper bags and/or external bank accounts. Although the poor of spirit may yet again feel that a sold vote has more short-term worth than the long-term value of social transformation and economic empowerment, the nation must resist such temptations or be prepared to suffer the consequences.
Surely, Barbados has been placed into a position that threatens the livelihoods of every man, woman, and child. We, in this country, can no longer take things for granted and give blind loyalty to the politician or uncritically pelt support to the political party. We must make demands for reform and strengthen our institutional capacities at every level. The harmful status quo must be challenged; and the many prevailing wrongs must be corrected at once.
Dr. Brathwaite you continue to shadow box with an imaginary opponent in the name of a third party/parties.
When will you come to see that the framework which informs your thinking has ceased to be viable?
Your arguments therefore, always seem to be located in a bygone era. Is it not clear to you that none of this is workable? Can you not see that the post-1945 arrangements are collapsing all over the world?
Then would it not be unfair to ask this government to deliver the impossible? To suggest better is possible? Ignore obvious truisms which make it impossible for either political party to succeed? Should that juncture not be your point of departure?
What would it take to untether you from your training, ingrained political-economy frameworks? Does our country have to die before you come alive to the new world?
Could you not see that none of this is workable? That these models have broken down all over the world. When would you be able to join the discourses seeking alternatives?
Even if every indictment of this DLP government is correct, and let us assume that is the case, how do the people you purport to speak for are to benefit from an argument constructed on the bridge of the Titanic?
@ Pachamama
Let the Political Consultant speak.
For in his words we will know where his loyalties lie
Observe!
“…In fairness to the politician, there is NOTHING WRONG with the legal and transparent ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH as an individual….. although government salaries are not of the enriching kind…”
How does this man spout these statements that are apportioning “free passes” to thieving public servants, with such ease in the face of the ongoing political malfeasance by successive parliamentary representatives?
It is as if he is here to say, in flowery language, “look dem does tief, but there is nothing wrong with it…”
Reading Brathwaite is always an exercise in drinking lukewarm tea, that has been in the cup for several weeks but, since one will need something to brek the gas, you drink know full well that it will either make you vomit or worsen your gas problem.
Most importantly, hold the ministers totally responsible whe they refuse to nae the disgusting business people doing the most economic damage to the island, James Paul must think Bajans are as foolish as he looks.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/07/boycott-them/
What kind of jackass is James Paul, how can you boycott a business if Paul refuses to name the business that needs boycotting, he is another dumb minister or whatever who wants throwing out on his ass.
Same thing Paul did with the illegally imported chicken, both him and Dumbville knew who imported the inferior quality chicken illegally from the UK and both refused to name the crook, playing the same stinking game against the people of hiding and protecting the names of the business people destroying the economy, when those names should be made public…real life coons the 2 of them..
Kick both of them out of parliament, they are both useless to the people.
Interesting article,will however question a few areas such as the fact that Bim was going south prior to 2008 and also that the dependency/godfather mentality was created by the political class decades ago making it very difficult for it to change.
What is needed as has been pointed is a paradigm shift in our political culture if we expect to move forward in this Caribbean region,the old ways have run their course…..how it will be achieved and when is a good question.
@well well , what does that have to do with the intelligent discussion raised by Dr.Brathwaite
@ Pachamama
And then we start to observe attendant “plagiarism?” inserting itself
“…Before the next elections are called, Barbadians ought to advocate for free access to information, particularly on the formulation of agreements which invariably impact the public purse…”
So what have 90% of the Bajan Social Media pages been advocating for?
A few days ago the ole man was asked by the Honourable Blogmaster what is the solution regarding this BLP/DLP see saw “real bad word beginning with rass…”
And de ole man submitted that we need to promote a “contractual agreement” with the Barbadian people specifically its electorate.
Truth be told there is no singularity, or uniqueness to that suggestion.
Establishing a contractual obligation between the people of barbados and the political party, something which goes beyond the empty Covenant of Hope AND the “Pathways Dribble” the dead king
But what is of critical note in this blog is seeing an adjusted version of this regurgitated from Brathwaite, in his “warmed over tea” version.
We expect him to “write nuff, yet say nothing” that definitively says “we not only MUST CHANGE THE DLP, BUT WE MUST DEMAND THAT THE BLP (HIS PEOPLE that he is singing for) or the THIRD PARTY, do “such and such”
Just the same ole same ole i.e. “we have problems with our roads, our youth, crime and violence, agriculture, manufacturing, under the DLP”, followed by vacuous references to some unknown research quotation, to make it seem legit, then regurgitations and synopses of what, Due Diligence, Fear Play, THe Sage Annunaki, Are We There Yet, Bush Tea and every body has ben saying, generally the comments that got the most likes and of course the crowning glory
NAMING THE PIECE
Generally it is something emotive like DLP INCESTUOUS or something like DLP RAMBUNCTIOUS or something like that which is the usual bait.
But then as you read his warmed over complaints there is nothing within them that says
(a)He is what you should do to change “a” or (b) after starting with this step then go to step “b”
All the man does is regurgitate what legitimate posters have been saying for weeks and coat the pup in icing, like if it is his own
Steupseee
Come leh we all wuk up and have a good time…
Radical…ya want to take me on, does it not affect bajans negatively, is it not an intelligent topic, what do you have against bajans knowing the name of the business people affecting the economy necgatively…..which is also their business…what do you have against bajans knowing whose business to boycott….do you see a blog headlined businesses to be boycotted.
You do not want to take me on radical, you do not know what being radical really is…..find someone else with your intelligence level to engage..
CHASING RAINBOWS
Defenseless kids with weak parents
Can find themselves in predicaments
Being bombarded with crap on TV
Of lucrative sports in high society
And instead chose the end of a rope
A real shame when they can’t cope
Politicians are the experts on this
On the pulpit they’re never amiss
More than the world they will promise you
Seeing through their hypocrisy nothing new
Come time to pay up they can’t fulfill
As they try to cover up with a sour pill
Some women swallow this wholesale
Watching ads saying you cannot fail
In getting trim to look sexy for today
Even becoming anorexia on the way
But all these dreams fall by the wayside
As the chased rainbows always go to hide
In every walk of life we find
Folks who have this in mind
Even in some schools this some do teach
Trying for rainbows you can never reach
Maybe it’s good to hope and aspire
Better doing that before you expire
I am not advocating being a pessimist
But I prefer being an honest pragmatist
Why not treat everyone with truth and honesty
Than to hoodwink them with slippery casuistry
The world would be a better place for us all
When we treat the other person as a real a pal
All these apologists for the DLPBLP are just trying to get their party elected or to stay in office (power). Their intellects are now owned by those who operate in Roebuck and George Streets.
With all the issue of transparency and freedom of information , how the hell are we ranked so favorable on the International Transparency Index? Or is it the politicians and their cronies alone are being surveyed ?
A good link to judge voter turnout.
http://idea.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d030dc981e01b4e6eb409cf0f&id=ae2b230292&e=07ba8fbc7a >
@ FortyAcresandaMile
The answer to your query about the ratings that barbados has been given is rather simple really
THe following comes from the Transparency International Technical Methodology report
“…The CPI (corruption Perception Index) draws upon a number of available sources which capture perceptions of corruption. Each source is evaluated against the criteria listed below. Contact has been made with EACH INSTITUTION PROVIDING data in order to verify the methodology used to generate scores and for permission to publish the rescaled scores from each source, alongside the composite index score.”
Contrary to popular belief FortyAcres, Transparency International does not investigate any reports of ammmmmmm teifing or corruption it only takes data that is provided by the intitutions that it is permitted to interview in the Country of Interest and thereafter effects comparisons
Your belief like that of many of us is that they do on the ground interviews but it is much a case of interviewing “the fox that is in charge of the chicken coop and is counting the chickens”
In its simplest form imagine that they are interviewing the present Government of Barbados (or the previous one) about Freedom of Information or Integrity Legislation what you think their responses are going to be?
What the author calls “Closeness of Elections”, and which in some societies maybe called “Closeness of Polling Results” is a Key factor. If people don’t believe their vote is required (their choice will win), or if their vote doesn’t matter (their choice will lose whether they vote or not) is what constantly keeps turnout at relatively consistent levels.
It will be interesting to see, now that pollsters have got it wrong on several recent occasions, if turnout increases, simply because voters have learned they cannot trust the polls, so they must vote?
Wait I thought Radical would have a lot more to say, seems like he or she just likes looking at prettily aligned words, now we know why nothing can change on the island.
Hello, hello Radical, ya need more than pretty words to efficiently affect change, when ya find yaself as a country sliding into the abyss.
@ NorthernObserver.
Spot on insofar as the Pollsters can and do influence the results in the manner that , if their opinions are respected, the general public will believe that it is a foregone conclusion and WILL NOT GO anywhere since they fell that “MY VOTE IS NOT GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ANYWAYS!!”
And this is what the DLP is going to rely on in this election.
THE VOTER APATHY that exists among the young people
Coupled with the fact that old people make up the majority of the people who vote anyways.
THe generation of DLP/BLP ites who vote party is dying out and another 15 years all of them will be gone rather, those that remain will not be enough to make a difference
Those that remain will be the more educated and more rational thinkers BUT THE MAJORITY will be those whose level of apathy is genetically engrained.
The issue for any political party that wants to win, note that i did not use my usual chant of “make a change” is going to be to get this sluggardly group off their asses and go to a voting station.
This is why political parties have the wuk-up session right before the day of election.
The young people, even if they wanted to go, still are too drunk to go anywhere.
And they are watching the other young people to see who is going to be there
This is going to be key, the young people
@ Piece. Kudos. I didn’t know that’s the type of methodology TI goes by. But seriously, who are some of these sources/institutions providing information ? Because in a country with no investigative journalism, no integrity legislation , no FOI statute, no modern procurement rules etc …..how do we reconcile the favorable TI ratings with these gaps ?
Interesting to note that no politician or aspiring one has denied that they belong to one class irrespective of party,the political class and we know what classism brings to the fore
@ FortyAcresandAMule
by “reputable organisations” TI means that they rely on the same public institutions of the government(s) that they end up assigning the rating to.
In the process they will also interview “counterpart” organizations that work with the said institutions e.g. International Funding Institutions that work with the same governments like the European Union etc.
Sometimes there might be a third tier like the Red Cross or accredited local NGO
No here is a challenge that you are working with which is a counterproductive environment.
For example suppose TI is examining the bona-fides of the GoB, of course we would expect the GoB to pull all of the supporting documentation that makes it look good.
Then during the evaluation they will go to a “counterpart agency” like the IDB or the EU or let us say Caribbean Export.
Now the latter case best explains why one calls it “counterproductive” because it would only be in the very worst of cases that the CE would give a bad report on the very government forms its directorship.
Similarly speaking, the International Agencies very rarely go out on a limb to share irregularities which might shine an unfavourable light on the host country.
So, in order to stack the odds in their favour, what the GoB may do is provide suggestions of NGOs which TI will interview, but these NGOs are themselves recipients of funding from the same government e.g. that Commission of Pan African Affairs etc.
It is a very enterprising and aggressive Transparency International which would be committed to delving a little deeper into the layers of complicity of a country and be prepared to be more diligent in those examinations when their days on the ground interviewing and commingled with sand and tans and nights that are complexioned by other delights.
I forget the name of the president who when he came here the GoB paved the whole stretch of the highways that he was going to be driving on during his 2 days here.
George writes a lot but says nothing new. His diction is as appalling as his verbosity. He must be in an altered state of consciousness when he puts pen to paper.
If I were the English teacher who supervised his high school education, I would hang my head in shame.
hahahahahahahahahahahahaaha
Lol…..the one Radical is so impressed that he or she still cannot make a sensible contribution.
@Well Well & Consequences February 7, 2017 at 9:38 PM #
You too love a bassa-bassa or comess (as the Trinis would say) – lol
WW&C
Ya see that BLM Toronto lambasted your pretty boy?
http://www.blogto.com/city/2017/02/black-lives-matter-toronto-trudeau-white-supremacist/
btw I gave u a hint about the coconut water importer but ya didn’t bite lol
https://youtu.be/AQoNNbGknrw
Lol…Bajan In NY.
Northern…..Yusra certainly told off Justin lol, Canada does hide it’s racism very well from the world, no denying that.
Ya got me on that one, I totally missed the hint, so i reread the comment, not sure who imported ice cream, only know that the former supercentre now Massy has a wide variety of ice cream as well as beer and I had coconut water from there that tasted like plain water.
But the leaders should still be able to name those business people compromising the economy, Barbados is not exactly teeming with jobs and business opportunities for the majority in the lower income bracket, this greedy way the few business people have about them of trying to monopolize everything and no one else can make any money, stagnants the island and relegates the population to the levels of constantly broke consumers.
When businesses have reached the level of needing to expand for larger cash flow purposes, given the tiny size of the island, practical business sense dictates you expand outward. ..read regionally or internationally. …..not destroy small entrepreneurs on the island so the business can monopolize…..the economy cannot sustain it, nor can the population benefit from it……that is bad business, total greed.
Besides…the leaders are cowards, business people on the island should be afraid to step out of line like that in Barbados, if the island had strong leaders, but none of them are afraid of the fly by night, hand to mouth, beggars of bribes for leaders.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/08/no-drain/
Northern…the BICO ice cream dude owned the coconut water, I only recently in the last few yesrs heard about this dude, fairly new addition to the Barbados landscape…..and he is missing the whole damn point….why dont he export that coconut water back to his homeland, larger population in the tens of millions, more income for his business, monopolizing on such a tiny island is counterproductive. …would hate to think he is trying to do both, that would be beyond greedy, ungrateful and uncaring for those who are trying to make a living on the island from selling coconut water.
Thirwel is also wasting his time, because old schoolers like myself always warn my visiting relatives, do not drink coconut water unless you have seen the coconut cut and the water poured into a container…. bad, stale coconut water can make you ill.
He is taking it upon himself to dictate how coconut water should be sold in Barbados….as I said, some pf those pre bottled coconut waters tastes like tap water….I know the taste of coconut wster, even if it’s pit sweet…and unless additives and preservatives are used, pure, natural coconut water only has a shelf life of 3 days….before it goes completely off.
Perhaps, five years is () too long an election cycle. One can speculate the degree to which the DLP politicians will manage to hold on to their seats given the perceptions that most, if not all of them, have benefitted significantly at the expense of the governed.
And the standard Bajan response is ‘all a dem does teef, we got to get fa we’.
Until the voter is personally affected in this country, the vote doesn’t change.
Bajan businesses have continued to keep this economy barely afloat for one simple reason: unlike Jamaican, Guyanese and Trinidadian business people, we have no-where to run to.
If we had let the system crash in 2012 by creating mass unemployment maybe we wouldn’t be here today.
Del Maestro plant was approved by Town Planning next wil be the Hyatt. There is an election to be won.
@ chad99999 and whoever else
Get accustomed. I will have several more pieces that will upset you as I call out the DEMS for being so blatantly incompetent. You may take that as you wish. I am glad that you were not my English teacher. Keep well.
“Perhaps, five years is () too long an election cycle. ”
I keep saying that…..5 years gives the ministers the time they need to take root and become embedded in corruption, enough to gain another 5 years.
2 year term limits are quite enough, the island is small, it’s a small job, they are contracted for 2 years to do their jobs and then rotated, just like any other job contract, they would not have the time to see the job as a yardfowl collecting parade.
George, don’t get too rattled
A man of your standing is expect to lead the masses, with critical and futuristic thinking
Thinking about the future
And seeing it clearly, years before it arrives
What’s the purpose for history and even current circumstance unless they are about seeing the future.
Not about the next election
@Pachamama
Not at all rattled. Just stating what will be the case. There are some who will agree, and others who will disagree. I will call it as I see it, and who the cap fits, let them wear it. No shame or thunder on my part.
Well Well & Consequences wrote ” pure, natural coconut water only has a shelf life of 3 days before it goes completely off.”
Coconut water has a longer shelf life if it is frozen solid and kept in a freezer until sold.
Over the last few years I have been buying coconut water that was bottled and frozen.
Hants….I am not talking about freezing the life and all the naturally healhy ingredients out of the water, I am talking about healthy, fresh coconut water, besides it never tastes the same after being frozen…..even fruits when frozen lose their healthy vitamins etc.
It’s a matter of taste, but I would not invest my money in frozen cocont water missing it’s natural vitamins.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93329/police-praised-arrests-roseau-protest
Ya know bajans aint about to inhale no tear gas. ..the people are fedup with Skerritt in Dominica and want him gone, but like with all the other wannabe dictators, he is clinging to small island power, when the people dont want you, you listen.
Hants….I too have spent many years in the cold and still cannot get used to frozen anything….particularly food and nstural drinks like coconut water, they must be freshly made and freshly cooked at all times.
My first experience with a frozen tv dinner many years ago in NYC I nearly threw up after it was taken out the microwave, the smell was horrible after being frozen and then bought at the supermarket….same trying to eat fast food…my foods must be freshly cooked, preferably by me.
So I sure wont be spending my money buying stale coconut water from the BICO dude,
@ Well Well & Consequences,
When I am in Barbados I buy coconut water from the street vendors.
In the GTA the main stream supermarkets are selling green coconuts.cdn $2.99 each
West Indian grocery stores sell frozen coconut water .cdn $3.50 600ml bottle.
Life is good.
Lol…Hants, ya do the best ya can…I notice in NYC ya will get the coconuts come in whole from some countries like Brazil etc….wont be freshly picked, but they are still in their shells, never saw that in GTA.
David February 8, 2017 at 1:05 PM #
Del Maestro plant was approved by Town Planning next wil be the Hyatt. There is an election to be won.
Del Maestro paid good money for his planning approval, never let it be said that our politicians weren’t good value for money. I bet he’ll get a Bajan work permit as well so he can hide here from Canadian prosecutors.
He received the TPD permission, he is now waiting on the waiver of 4 million on equipment stored in the Port by the government that all agree -according to him- his company qualifies.
@WW&C
there is a longer story, which I do not recall exactly. When BICO MADE (not imported) ice cream here, they were tariffs on imported ice cream to protect the manufacturing jobs. Then BICO had a fire, they were issues with the insurance, and memory says they did not meet the time line to rebuild, and subsequently those tariffs were reduced, to reflect that Bico ice cream was not made here.
Possibly, Bico and the GoB, have continued to battle on tariffs. And hence this latest episode, maybe more to display the tariff situation, than about coconut water.
BICO had a fire and the first thing they did was to appeal to the government for a subsidy, rather than talk to their business insurers. They also wanted to export to the US, what happened there?
I will tell you: the protectionist Yanks most probably objected to the milk the product was made from, or some other bogus health issue. In the meantime, they were exporting more US ice cream to Barbados.
But coconut water is not the only problem. Massy in Oistins often sells Canadian carrots. What is wrong with Barbadian, or Caricom, carrots? Why do our customs and agriculture officials allow Canadian carrots to be sold in local supermarkets?
Just think about the air miles.
@Hal
The water is being imported from Guyana so what is the problem?
This is a country where Barbados dollars can be redeemed.
@Hal
Also note that supermarkets have been importing coconut water for years, in cans with preservatives even.
@FB
” I bet he’ll get a Bajan work permit as well so he can hide here from Canadian prosecutors”
So you know both men faced the courts, one was convicted (which I believe may still be under appeal), the other was found innocent, They have not “hidden” as you put it.
@HA
why not? we allow Canadian people to stay in our accommodations?
I found CostaRican christophenes in Emerald City, Mexican pears (avocados) at Cost U Less, even okras from Guatemala.
Until one has a strategy to food production, it is a free-for-all.
And we have farmers who grow many of what is mentioned, but they sell directly to the restaurants and hotels; one never finds their produce at retail.
Yeah Northern. …it appears to go deeper…I heard rumors about that, was not in the region at the time, why I know so very little about the dude, if bajans boycott the water, he can try exporting it to Ireland or whereever he comes from, but trying to put vendors out of business when they have been around since I know myself, decades now, so he can sell less healthy coconut water, he is way out of bounds….the government must set boundries for these make a quick buck at the expense of others business people.
I recall a photo of a young man who had an excess of pawpaws.
We can identify the sources of various items, but our feast or famine approach to agriculture can only lead to excesses (wastage) and shortages (importation). A national policy which covers from planting to marketing is required.
When MR B plants a yam, he should have an idea of a who the possible buyers are; Mr A at the hotel should know what and when he can expect produce from Mr. B.
Too much of a laissez faire attitude for too many things. Leadership is required.
In the 70s the Barbados Marketing Corporation bought the fruit and vegetables our farmers produced.
Chicken farmers had their broilers processed by Bolden in St.Philip.
Farmers were supported by the MOA haggats hall.
40 years later and we spinnin top in mud.
David February 8, 2017 at 3:02 PM #
@Hal
The water is being imported from Guyana so what is the problem?
James Paul apparently wanted to impress the coconut vendors he is working on there behalf and failed to research the matter before ranting. The importer said he paid in Bds dollars, so the foreign exchange drain is fantasy. It is reported that Guyana is a major importer of Pine Hill Dairy products which the Guyanese are planning to boycott after Paul’s ranting was publish in their local press. As you rightly asked, why didn’t Paul oppose the importation of canned coconut water from Asia? Stupse
…..working on their behalf……
Guyana has reporte in the press as not accepting Bim dollars readily.
Like I read somewhere earlier today, did James Paul oppose Rock Hard cement or that is being bought with bajan dollars? lol
And to add to the above, has James Paul opposed the construction of a solar panel plant by Dean Del Mastro? Anyhow, this plant is another scam!! The plant will be closed as quick as it opens, it is just a carrot to get the free money from the solar field. Who’s buying the electricity by the way?
It serves Paul and the government right, boundaries should be set for all, which part of the island is very tiny none of them understands and the majoruty 260,000 people who live there have very little to no opportunities, particularly in business. …a clear case of the ministers all being useless cowards.
Guyana population = 800,000 or more
Trinidad population = 1.3 million or more
Asian population = 4.4 billion and more
Barbados population = 285,006
Barbados a poor island should be creating and manufacturing enough to export to these populated markets….instead of the other way around…useless governments caused this mess.
Deltro to build solar panel plant in Barbados.
It will run on a 24-hour basis, five days a week.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93331/deltro-build-solar-panel-plant-barbados
Why Canada’s clean energy investment plummeted in 2016
http://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/02/06/news/why-canadas-clean-energy-investment-plummeted-2016
@Hants
hidden at the bottom was
“Town planning approval has also been given for a 70-acre Solar Farm at Waterford, St Michael.”
I thought they building solar panels, not solar farms?
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/solar-energy-uk-government-accused-trying-to-kill-off-climate-change-theresa-may-a7570161.html
While the airheaded May is fighting clean, cheaper electricity in the UK.
Let’s see what Del Mastros delivers to cut down on Emera’s greed.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93352/-fair
This gross and greedy pig Bizzy “give me”…would say the same thing or worse, were it a black bajan got the approval.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93354/williams-solar-farm-wait
No one else but him and his ilk must progress and make millions in Barbados, well he and Cow are living to see differently. ..am sure they will see more, the more decrepit they get.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/08/city-stink/
ACs…yall shitbomb has hit city streets..lol ah want to see Sealy and Boyce go swimming in it..haha
@ All
While de ole man holdeth no brief for Del Mastubator (of the Bajan Government) I would ask that some consideration be given to the discussion of our own Bajan born and bred Solar Dynamics Limited.
“…Barbados enjoys international recognition as a leader in the development and use of solar technology for solar hot water systems, and is among the top five leading nations in the world in the penetration of solar hot water systems per 1000 households. (The Energy Institute)…”
Further into the fairy tale we read “…Since 1974, Solar Dynamics has been at the forefront of development of solar hot water systems for residential and commercial use.
Our company was the brainchild of Canon Andrew Hatch, who revived The Brace Research Institute’s Professor Tom Law and solar water heater project. We are the recipient of loan funding from Christian Action for Development in the Caribbean, a division of The Caribbean Conference of Churches…”
I challenge any reader here to tell me why in 2017, Del Masturbator-of-th-Bajan-Government a la Darcy Boyce Minister of Energy, should be setting up a farm in Waterford’s restricted Water Zone to poison Bajans with the effluent of the solar plant? when we have “… James Husbands GCM, who was awarded the “Gold Crown of Merit” in Barbados’ Independence Honors of 1994, for his contribution to energy saving…”
“…James was adjudged the Anthony B Sabga Caribbean Award of Excellence winner for Science and Technology in 2008. He is the recipient of a “Pioneer Award” from The World Renewable Energy Congress, at its congress in Scotland in 2008…”
Come leh we wuk up and have a good time…
@ Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right,
James Husbands may have chosen to restrict his business to the production and sale of Solar water heaters.
I hope the land in waterford is not suitable for agriculture.
I don’t see why solar panels should cover acres of land.
@Hants
The land was reportedly owned by farmer Patrick Bethell and compulsory acquired by government. Was planned to be a Botanical Gardens and again reportedly to be a zone 1 area. We invite feedback evidence to discuss the matter from an informed position. Unlike Glyne Murray it is our right to engage in robust inquiry and discovery if public financing and approvals will be required.
#transparency
@ Hants
Do these names sound familiar?
Kodak, Blockbuster, Borders?
De ole man has copied this from the wealth of info out there on companies which do not move into the 21st century
“…Its crucial for brands to embrace new technologies emerging within their industry, especially when it has the potential to disrupt the current business model.
TECHNOLOGY WAITS FOR NO MAN, or brand, and ignoring those that threaten your business is a surefire way to lose out to smaller, hungrier competitors who are itching for an opportunity to shine…”
Enter Del Masturbator-of-the-Pooch-sucking-people-of-Barbados and the 6 other Solar Heating Companies that now exist in Barbados.
Sir James is a well intentioned man but you see technology? it does not give one badword about your personal likes and dislikes AS BLACKBERRY has found out yes???
Piece…is Blockbuster still around, I still got a card, but haven’t looked at it in years.
Technology is moving along quite nicely and changing, upgrading every 6 months, either move with it or get left behind.
Blockbuster LLC (formerly Blockbuster Entertainment, Inc.), often shortened to Blockbuster, is a …. The stores were rebranded to Blockbuster, making it the …
Number of locations: 12 (US); 27 (AU)
Founder: David Cook
Founded: October 19, 1985; 31 years ago; Dallas, Texas
Services: VHS/DVD home video rentals
I just checked….this is all that’s left of Blockbuster. .12 stores in the USA….27 in Australia, they used to be huge….only 1 store left in Texas…ya gitta keep up with the times.
One of my daughters is really happy she did not go and work for Blackberry, which was headquartered right outside her university. ..they are now bottoms up….only lasted a few years.
Why Germany is moving from nuclear to alternate energy.
https://www.facebook.com/alternativenewsnetwork.SR/photos/a.1864626843770187.1073741826.1864624903770381/1943917292507808/?type=3
David
Yes I remember when the land in the Belle was acquired for use as a botanical garden and one person was sent off to get his Masters degree in that area of science.
My recollection suggests it is a zone 1 area,not sure exactly what will be constructed on it.
Recently Bethel was asking for his money or for its return.
Interesting how SOL was promoted as Bim first in the purchase of BNTCOL but Bizzy is not accorded the same……….I wonder why?
@Vincent
Waterford is where Del Maestro is suppose to build his solar farm. Yes it appears Bethell is waiting to be paid.
@WW&C
“One of my daughters is really happy she did not go and work for Blackberry, which was headquartered right outside her university. ..they are now bottoms up….only lasted a few years.”
Go check again. They are very much alive. Slowly exiting the hardware business, but very alive in the software end. Their stock trades daily on the TSE, symbol is now BB versus the old one RIM (for company’s original name Research In Motion)
As far as Blockbuster they declared Bankruptcy in 2011, and Dish Network bought what stores remained from the Trustee. In 2013 Dish closed all these stores and the only ones <8 which remain are Franchises not covered under BBusters bankruptcy proceedings.
Ah know Nothern…RIM opposite UW died…they realised software is the way to go….front end and back end engineers now rule the tech roost…but they are late to the game, competition is tight, they missed out on getting the best software techs while they were playing around with hardware.
I just realized Blockbuster had taken a hit, they too have to get with the new programs.
David
Is it time to post one on the many parties recently formed in Bim,like this one that has gotten bad press already?
http://barbadostoday.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=d13288d6e435e8111d9c39065&id=8c5defa8f4&e=d16b80b1d3
@Vincent
What is there to discuss? Like SB the UPP has reveled nothing that is comment worthy so far about the candidate lineup. Grenville has been a blogger for years and therefore his notes by requests have been posted on BU. We have received no similar requests from the UPP.
David
Agreed……they need to hit the road with this age old reliable tried and tested method
Barbados Labour Party was live.
1 hr ·
All of the candidates of the Barbados Labour Party joined their colleague Jeffrey Bostic in a mass canvass today in the City of Bridgetown. We paused at 2:00 p….
See more
https://www.facebook.com/BarbadosLabourParty/videos/978281462315236/