This week Barbadians were treated with the news that the government released five million dollars to the account of the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) to settle income tax returns. And that an additional five million dollars will be disbursed in the coming days. If public comment is to be believed, outstanding returns go back many years.
Clearly the government- like any citizen- has a responsibility to honour financial commitments in a timely manner. The minister of finance has offered the explanation that government’s cashflow is the reason for the delay issuing income tax rebates.
The blogmaster is happy for those Barbadians who will be FINALLY receiving tax returns.
What piques the curious mind of the blogmaster however is why now. Clearly the saying that ‘timing is everything’ appears to ring true in the scenario unraveling in the light of day. The idea the Minster of Finance and Cabinet may have orchestrated the payment of outstanding tax returns days before Prime Minister Freundel Stuart will be forced by law to declare the date of the general election – or have it done for him – is mindboggling. Not because it is to be expected from politicians, after all, political parties are in business to win elections. Are we not an intelligent people endowed with basic reasoning and observation skills to appreciate the rush to settle outstanding monies due to Barbadians? Does anyone care to question the political morality of the Cabinet of Barbados?
The blogmaster will be following the debate we hope this matter will generate in the coming days as a barometer to measure the ‘citizen maturity’ levels in the Barbados space. The media- traditional media to be clear- has a role to play because we know by its track record the Fifth Estate will continue to play the leadership role by sharing unfettered perspectives on all issues. The role of the Fifth Column will be vital to shore up the political efficacy which has move to a slow drip to a free flowing leak in the last decade.
What the blogmaster found appalling is Commissioner of the Barbados Revenue Authority Margaret Sivers being coopted by the government to issue a public statement on the matter. This is a government with a legacy that will be defined by stealth in its communication strategy. The BRA as far as we recall has a public relations officer in its employ if BRA’s management was minded to publicize the boost to its cashflow.
We are tired already.
Give us a Rh break!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.