est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Barbados Economy and Covid 19 in 2021

The BU COVID 19 graphs (Thanks to Lyall Small for your sterling effort to the cause) continue to show Barbados authorities and PEOPLE doing a satisfactory job to curb the number of infections. We have to continue the trend despite the fact COVID fatigue is present. Recent ash fall from La Soufriere has has not…

,

The BU COVID 19 graphs (Thanks to Lyall Small for your sterling effort to the cause) continue to show Barbados authorities and PEOPLE doing a satisfactory job to curb the number of infections. We have to continue the trend despite the fact COVID fatigue is present. Recent ash fall from La Soufriere has has not helped.

The blogmaster takes the opportunity to caution with the opening of the country- schools and tourism industry- we need to implement conservative protocols. If there was any doubt why the country needs to find avenues to generate economic activity the Central Bank of Barbados first quarter review delivered this week by Governor Haynes is mandatory listening – see also Barbados Outlook 2021.

Attached are the usual weekly charts up to 30th April.  Barbados recorded what might be a significant spike, reported last night, that has been largely attributed to an outbreak at the Psychiatric Hospital.  The authorities have successfully managed several similar spikes this year so it is likely that we should be able manage this one.  However, they should carefully reexamine some of the details of the planned management of the disease over the next 3 weeks or so, especially as related to indoor audience sizes and traditional schools if the spike continues.  Trinidad has recorded a significant spike over the past week or so and their PM has reacted very strongly.  Jamaica has at last started to show a slight diminution of active cases.  Guyana’s cases have continued to increase – Lyall Small.

139 responses to “Barbados Economy and Covid 19 in 2021”

  1. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    (Quote):
    Delving deeper into his analysis of the Central Bank’s grim report, Howard said he was in full agreement with Haynes’ warning that the country could not afford further shutdowns. However, he questioned the 13.6 per cent jobless numbers, calling on the Central Bank Governor to provide the public with the methodology by which that figure was derived. (Unquote).
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    How come the Guv can find an unemployment figure to fudge for this qtr’s report but could not find one for the previous one?

    How can people know if the current “13.6%” fudge is an improvement over the previous quarter given that so many of the previously unemployed are no longer in receipt of unemployment benefits from the NIS and have been ‘forced’ to join the army of the “Voluntary Idle”?

  2. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Why do so many people on BU expect more from this government. For the record, Barbados is a quasi apartheid state. The BDLP have never been committed to developing a country that elevates her majority black population to become self-sufficient and socially intellectually progressive.

    How can we discuss expanding our economy when the country’s infrastructure is derelict. Our sewage system is virtually defunct. I would be surprised if more then one percent of Barbadian homes contain a bio-digestive sewage system. The remaining 99% dump their raw sewage directly into the ground as they have been since Barbados became a British colony.

    The QEH’s physical condition is damning. It is a national disgrace. We can lump in our infamous national sport’s stadium. Along with our transport system. Need we be reminded that the era of the water standpipe has returned.

    What can we draw from this? Our leaders want their black population to live on their knees rather then stand on their feet. We also need to recognise that our leaders are incompetent.

    Do not expect a turn around in your economy. By the way has Barbados ever had an authentic “economy”?

    For those of you with the energy and that includes you Cudhear Bajan; it may be beneficial for all of you to abandon Barbados.

    PS. One Bajan who has done this, is Kemar Roach – the cricketer. He has just returned his best bowling figures of 8-40 whilst playing for Surrey. county cricket club.

  3. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    I’m seeking some clarity on certain aspects of this ‘discussion’ about government’s inefficient revenue collection systems and long queues to pay driver’s license fees, duties, etc.

    ‘Are you trying to tell me it has to take a’ Prime Minister, whether it’s Mia Mottley or Verla DePeiza, to address the issue of long queues and one cashier serving customers renewing their driver’s licenses ………

    …………. when there are employees within the BRA who hold either supervisory or management positions and roster cashiers……. that, based on their daily experiences, are fully aware of the situation and could make the necessary decisions to rectify it?

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller

    You of all people know there is a definition that informs the unemployment number and it is an indicator to be used in context.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    The issue at BRA and Barbados Licensing Authority is structural. There are the usual management issues but it is a bigger problem. The system and procedures is horse and buggy stuff which has been and is being exploited by all and sundry.

  6. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Barbadians have lived with a false sense of security and the notion that a resilence of the people would help to weather the storms
    Maybe so however Barbados has reached a cross road where there are two forces standing in its way
    One called the Economy
    The other called Heatlh both are of real importance to the security of nation and .testing the resilence of the people and country long term survival
    Now both of these forces are testing govt internal and external fortitude
    So far govt has failed to find a balance for both
    Hence COVID still remain a champion on calling health matters as well as economic matters
    While the economy stutters and flounders with no end In sight
    In the earlier days of Covid I remember proposing govt putting a focus on redevelopment plan for Bridgetown one which would have boost outside as well as local confidence in Barbados economy exhibiting that govt is serious about creating a growth avenue
    Investors local or international always look at the starting point and how the wheel is being driven

  7. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    I have posted on two occasions the Estonia government website where everything is carried out online. From voting, to renewing a driver’s license and everything else in between.

    Would it not be cheaper and more productive for our government to pay the government of Estonia for their I.T. template. We would have a proven system that works rather then implement a Barbados government I.T. system which is likely to fail. History should inform us that our government is incapable of running anything.

    Let’s learn to walk first before we start running.

  8. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Don’t expect the lines to get any shorter as govt revenue falls and govt having to find a way to save money
    Hence look forward to a shorter work week for these govt business to operate at full capacity
    The govt has used a tight fisted policies defined and designed by the IMF to which govt agreed
    Now that the revenue continues to fall the fall out would mean more strignet and stingy policies by govt to save money .
    Govt financial policy ot being tight fisted has collided with COVID tighted fisted economic malaise on the country
    Can’t blame workers for long lines workers have to do the job with the manpower given to them
    Less all forgets govt retrenchment workers across the board to save money
    Now the back lash of long lines and inefficiency raises its ugly head
    Go figure
    How about those millions spent on buses which are running on empty capacity
    Think about those things while we speak of saving money

  9. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    @ Miller,
    I know that you enjoy some of my links. Here is one that sums up Mia’s predicament with the precarious state of the Barbados “economy”

    Substitute Mia for the legendary Michael Caine.in this British crime caper.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCaSyid4m0l

  10. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    The new Corona protocol for vaccinated people is a bad joke. With this totally nonsensical, insane discrimination against vaccinated people, the tourism sector goes down the drain.

    Our Supreme Leader should imprison and convict the medical professionals who recommended this idiotic protocol. I’m guessing the usual black racists who don’t want whites (tourists) are behind this.

    As long as Barbados continues to discriminate against vaccinated persons, the international travel warnings for Barbados must remain in effect.

  11. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    “Would it not be cheaper and more productive for our government to pay the government of Estonia for their I.T. template. We would have a proven system that works rather then implement a Barbados government I.T. system which is likely to fail. History should inform us that our government is incapable of running anything.

    Let’s learn to walk first before we start running.”

    I happen to share some of the views of the above writer, but the prescription above is more like using a wheelchair than walking.

    We have seen that when it came to the port, our IT experts experienced a great deal of difficulty when installing the new system. However, I still support developing homegrown IT systems. We cannot just get solutions from elsewhere and find ourselves unable to fix or make patches to the system when there is a problem. Perhaps the failure may be in who gets the contracts, not the brightest and the best but an old crony.
    —-xxx————
    A ‘friend’ once said that the problem of Barbados is not corruption but incompetence. It was good analysis but it offers up the simple solution “hire competent people and the problem is solved”.

    If you keep the people who hire cronies and favorites in place then the hiring of competent people will not occur. Sometime one would think that we are fighting Medusa; ignore the thousand heads and focus on the root causes”
    Lack of effective integrity legislation
    No sunshine laws (transparency)
    An unequal justice system
    Favoritism/cronyism/who you know
    .
    .
    Root these things out and systems will start to work.

    And for some problems we can find temporary and workable fixes..
    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/04/30/bwa-introduces-24-hour-tanker-service/

  12. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    “In the earlier days of Covid I remember proposing govt putting a focus on redevelopment plan for Bridgetown one which would have boost outside as well as local confidence in Barbados economy exhibiting that govt is serious about creating a growth avenue.”

    “In the earlier days of COVID” Barbados was on lock-down and curfews, which held up ‘government’s’ overall redevelopment plans for Bridgetown, the completion of the new Fairchild Street Market; construction of the proposed ‘Freedom Park’ on the site where the old National insurance Building, Fire Service Headquarters and Golden Square Market were once located……. and refurbishment of old government owned buildings, for almost ONE YEAR.

    The construction of government’s new housing and private sector building projects were also affected.

    Taking these facts into consideration, please explain to BU how your “proposing govt putting a focus on redevelopment plan for Bridgetown” would have been feasible at the time?

  13. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    angela cox May 2, 2021 8:11 AM #: “Less all forgets govt retrenchment workers across the board to save money. Now the back lash of long lines and inefficiency raises its ugly head.”

    The “long lines” were NOT a RECENT development, but EXISTED during the tenure of the former DLP administration.

    Therefore, if we were to follow your argument, then, the “tight fisted policies” of the DEMS during 2013 and 2014, which saw the “retrenchment of workers across the board to save money,” ALSO created a “back lash of long lines and inefficiency raised its ugly head.”

    As such, BOTH the BLP and DLP have to be BLAMED for those inefficiencies.

    “Think about those things” before posting shiite.

  14. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    If Barbados harasses vaccinated people on entry, I would not be surprised if US, EU, UK and Canada soon require native Barbadian men to present an HIV test and a criminal record. After all, the risk of HIV and criminal behaviour is incomparably higher in the Caribbean than in the North.

  15. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    I stated that Barbados should learn to walk first before it starts to run; and was shocked that my view was countered by someone who stated that Barbados should learn to use a wheelchair before learning to walk. This statement cannot be refuted! LOL. Even the good doctor would struggle to come up with such a reply.

  16. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Think of Barbados split in two pieces one piece Economy and the other Health
    Govt now having to find the glue to close these two gaps together
    Also think of the importance of timing and why it is necessary for govt to act sooner rather than later

  17. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    In the earlier days of COVID
    govt boasted about small numbers
    There is absolutely no excuse why govt could not have pursued a plan of revitalizing Bridgetown a safe and confidence building step in the right direction
    A direction which send signs and positive messages to the local and foreign investors
    Also a foundation upon which jobs can be built
    The only shite being emitted is the call for the people to tighten belt and stay on a course of a deadly economic path well defined by govt stringent policies and a sure way path of increasing crime rate and suicides
    Go figure
    The givt gambled and lost
    Hint take a good look at international countries with more COVID related problems than Barbados and their quick action to steer an path towards the country and peoples economical survival
    Although Govt might not have the financial power
    A policy of stepping out of the familiar box and turning head into a direction where other countries are seeing success is better than staying into a mindset of stubborn and tight fisted policies while the country foundation falls to the ground
    Govt has been slow to move country forward only seeing policies from a political advantage
    Buying buses
    And garbage trucks with more on the way
    Oh forget tearing down buildings while replacing with empty spaces

  18. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    listen to this logic
    But garbage trucks to.pick up tons of garbage
    Meanwhile the landfills cells are filled to capacity
    To govt and yardfowls such a reasoning makes sense so buy garbage trucks
    Never mind that if the problem of the landfill is not corrected all the garbage trucks bought would become meaningless or of little use since there would be no place to dump the tons of garbage
    Which throws my mind back to a recent scenario where a video was being circulated showing govt sanitation workers dumping bulk garbage in an area off limits to garbage disposal
    When the workers were question about the illegal dumping they said the permission to do so was given by a govt official
    But why is a question which needs to be asked
    Govt promised transparency but has yet to deliver
    A jogging of my mind on that story reminded me that land fills are over the capacity
    Hence solution for remedies are necessary
    Red flag moment if u please

  19. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ Cuhdear Bajan

    Yes the registration on gov ezpay is not the most user friendly I will admit. For older persons it would be very frustrating but it is a foreign template that was adapted for us here on the island. What I am saying is with all our trained software people here a much simpler form could be used where it does not have a list of every country in the world that one must then scroll through etc.. Also they need to interface their systems better as well. For example when you renew a drivers license it gives you a receipt for the money but it doesn’t say the period of years you have paid for or when it will expire. Again that is because it is a generic system and not one tailor made for us.

    Having said that it’s a good first start just needs simplifying for us here thats all.

  20. John A Avatar
    John A

    @David

    Yes I am glad to see what professor Howard has stated as many of us here have been warning of this for a while.

  21. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Ask Mia

    After ten years of being in the wilderness the govt dream of managing the Barbados economy became a reality with a first of ever victory of defeating the Dlp.by a whopping 30-0 victory
    More than less the people having a loud voice of asking for better
    Lo and behold Barbadians now have to awaken to a reality of no jobs
    Plunging household incomes
    Heavy taxation
    Fees upon fees
    No water
    Increasing crime
    An a health crisis with no end in sight
    Some economist are suggesting that plans for more belt tightening would come
    But what more does the bajan household have to tighten?
    Xxxxccc
    During the early periods of COVID
    suggestions made to govt were ignored
    Govt remained callous and toothless without having answers
    Now the arrogance of the blp supporters makes cause for a vicious and unwarranted reason / position to attack those who speak against govt policies
    Go figure

  22. John A Avatar
    John A

    Further contraction as the professor states means that government must do everything to make it easier for us to pay them what is owed. In a case of declining incomes you don’t think common sense would dictate one must get in all you can?

    I will also like to refer to BU Hansard where I said that the first quarter was going to show us the real financial mess we are in. Well with the loss of business in April due to ash and covid restrictions, the second quarter ain’t start so good neither. We need to understand the seriousness of where we are and read the professor’s article a few times to understand what lays ahead.

  23. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    Until a technology (holistic) solution is implemented we should have seen a workaround by now.

  24. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    We need to do our own due diligence holding govt feet to the fire seeking transparency and accountability
    Not awaiting for a three month period to let govt officials.to give their version of transparency wrapped into a drawf mjndset of accountability
    When last has any one heard AG speak on the matter of crime and violence
    More than that he seems to have become an expert advisor on COVID practices and lockdown
    Last night the increasing noise if gun fire and shootings made its way across Radio news paper and Television
    The increase of crime sends a stern warning to govt as to what to expect if joblessness continues to escalate
    Be warned

  25. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    “Don’t expect the lines to get any shorter as govt revenue falls and govt having to find a way to save money. Hence look forward to a shorter work week for these govt business to operate at full capacity.”

    This is a gem! Revenue down, so leh we reduce our opportunities to collect revenue whilst paying the same salaries.The 🐈 got 🐶. 🤣🤣

  26. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ all
    Still trying to understand what was the big surprise of the Governor of the Central Bank review/ statement.
    We must all agree that the government cannot be blamed for COVID and the volcanic dust. Quite frankly it has handled both quite admirably.
    However, the question is whether it has clearly demonstrated how it plans to proceed with social and economic policy, in what is now accepted as the “ new norm “
    The highly regarded economists , Stevens and Howard, seem to differ substantially on this question ( Today’s Sunday Sun)
    The current state of affairs is in concord with a woman , who was told to leeave her man/ husband because of “ blows”. The new man also beats her but she is not supposed to complain because he keeps telling her , that she doesn’t get as many blows as she used to get with the previous man.
    We have reached a very sad state, when we are now finding excuses for abuse . Chances are that the woman will eventually succumb to the continuous beatings inflicted by these men.
    De blows gine kill she …………..

  27. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Rodney labour day message

    The government made a serious blunder when it tampered with the severance laws in June last year being the beast it is it would never admit that it was wrong
    The workers that suffered most from the blunder work in the tourism sector force to wait out 22 weeks of unemployment dependent on the unreliable NIS payments they are further punished by having to stand on the sidewalk in the sun Covid and the dust begging for severance
    The flag ship of Barbados tourism Hilton hotel should have been the leader in setting the example for the others to follow but instead this callous and uncaring government the owner of the Hilton disappointed the workers and left them holding the bag
    I spoke of a worker of one of the hotels who had serious underlying conditions but was force to go back to work in construction only to have something drop on his foot and because of his condition he died from the consequence just last month a friend of mine who worked at a hotel came to me and outline his plight of suffering waiting on his severance and the fact that he was so broke and depressed I give a little help since I am in the same boat but the fact that he couldn’t get medication or eat properly was a concern to me that gentleman died last week waiting on his money
    The trade unions just like the government have disappointed the workers and as far as I am concern have no creditability the workers are back to 1937 suffering at the hands of the elitist aide and abetted by an elitist government God lend a hand and send relief for the suffering workers

    Copied from fb

  28. John2 Avatar
    John2

    Mari

    You are famous for copying thing from Facebook that are beyond fake news

    My memory jog me back to the BA plane with 4 Mercedes engines in the volcanic dust etc

  29. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @ac
    you are ducking the issue. We cannot blame consultants?
    They can take a page out of the DLP playbook, stop paying suppliers, including the NIS, and use that cash. THIS is what the IMF has tried to correct, so maybe they say “no”. But who cares, we have their money already!!
    They can print more money? It is OUR currency.
    I don’t know how many people filed with the BRA in 2019 or 2020. But 100,000 at $500/month will cost $50 Million/month. So a 6 month program is $300M. Is this good?
    They can place government employees on a reduced work week. Then JohnA can line up twice as long.

  30. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The residents say the leak near the Rock Hall Christian Mission Church started last Thursday and was still spouting water up to this morning.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/05/02/rock-hall-residents-plead-with-bwa-to-fix-burst-main/

  31. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    N0
    Without full fledged transparency nobody knows what govt is doing
    Maybe with revenue dropping like hot cakes only a matter of time before truth drop of govt tongue as to what is being done
    Presently sitting from my vantage point the ducks guts is bloated
    So the revert to old policies by past govt might already be in process
    Recently I did hear talk of govt access to funding and pay debt was to crank up the printing machine

  32. TheOgazerts Avatar
    TheOgazerts

    “One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Barbados TODAY: “The Water Authority has been called dozens of times. I’ve called this morning, I left a message on the voice system, which they have instructed you to, and no one has returned my call.”

    Two points
    (1) Do you remember when they destroyed the underground structure. You can search the stories and I doubt if you will find the name of those responsible or destroying the structure. BT has demonstrated a reluctance to call names and so I am surprised that they now want to name of the person they spoke to. For ths story the name is unimportant.

    (2) This is about reporting a water leak. Why should a citizen wish to remain anonymous? What is it that person who made the call fears?

    Trying to figure out what i the full story is difficult, but it should be clear that unless Bajans find their voices, that day of no/slow responses will be upon us for some time.

    If water scarcity is real, then, perhaps then BWA needs to create a small emergency response team team whose sole task is to fix all reported water main leaks within a 48 hour period. The call comes in, it gets logged and reported to the team whose task is to fix them as quickly as possible.

  33. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    There appears to be numerous low hanging fruits that BWA could go after.
    Identify quick wins and pursue them.

  34. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ The Ogazerts May 2, 2021 2:16 PM
    “If water scarcity is real, then, perhaps then BWA needs to create a small emergency response team team whose sole task is to fix all reported water main leaks within a 48 hour period. The call comes in, it gets logged and reported to the team whose task is to fix them as quickly as possible.”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Such a ‘practical’ solution was recommended to the BWA some years ago but, presumably, fell on death ears wearing trousers with deep pockets.

    However, that proposal required the maintenance function be operated on a contracted-out basis to a firm(s) of private sector plumbers and would require the elimination of the BWA in-house unionized ‘gangs’.

    The BWA unionized staff make up a significant slice of the contributors to the revenues of the ‘BWU’ which is certainly facing serious financial challenges during these times of significant job losses in the private sector.

    The plan is to fix and upgrade the mains network (distribution infrastructure) through government-arranged financing methods and then ‘divest’ the future operations to private sector interests; possibly foreign players.

    The BWA will soon be put on the privatization block but under a different modus operandi currently at play with the Transport Board.

    Now that the IMF is a permanent resident in Barbados it clearly has been revisiting the plan to privatize that entity which is the last remaining money rabbit in the public utilities hat used by the political class to feather their nest of corruption as definitely demonstrated during the last administration’s regular raiding of that SOE through the dishing out of heavily padded contracts (as confirmed in the AG’s report) to their ‘business’ friends and political family.

  35. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    @ Tron

    “The new Corona protocol for vaccinated people is a bad joke”

    “What is this NEW PROTOCOL of which you speak, enlighten me”

    My personal view is in the future, POST COVID or some semblance of post COVID, all international travelers will have to have 100% Verifiable PROOF of their VACCINATION STATUS with respect to COVID 19 to enter a country. This proof will have to be in someway tied to their Country Passport and ONLINE verifiable by the Immigration Control of the country their entering. I can also see numerous various country commercial establishments also requiring some verifiable proof of Vaccination to enter and use their facilities, ie: hotels, gyms, fine dining restaurants, entertainment venues etc. in a foreign or local establishment.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    Barbados it was reported by the MoT has started a pilot with Virgin. It seems the shared vaccination database will be supported by airlines?

  37. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ Wily Coyote May 2, 2021 3:48 PM

    I am talking about the new entry protocol that comes into force on 8 May. Fully vaccinated people will still be forced to take a Corona test at their own expense before entry and will be detained for another two days in a measly hotel for a second test after entry at their own expense.

    It is obvious that our government’s medical advisors adhere to the old voodoo beliefs and know nothing about modern medicine. Anyone who has been vaccinated with the elite vaccine from Biontech-Pfizer or Moderna no longer poses any danger to other people.

    Half the world is vaccinated and Barbados still hangs on to Corona tests. What madness. This protocol is the final shot in the arm for our tourism industry on the island.

  38. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    @ Tron

    With this COVID Virus “CAUTION” is the name of the GAME. We have a proliferation of EXPERTS medical & otherwise, most genuine, some crack pots and then we have the dis-believers. The present vaccines (ALL) are not cure all vaccines but prevent severe sickness and significantly reduce deaths. They are very similar to the winter FLU vaccines presently in use, reduce effects. We are dealing in UNKNOWN territories and an abundance of CAUTION in developing future protocols are warranted. I would have to agree with Barbados planned PROTOCOLS, initial abundance of caution which can easily be adjusted in the future when more comprehensive data becomes available. Its much too risky to get to enthusiastic and have to revert to extreme restrictions in the future if you’ve GUESSED WRONG, and at the time being its’ all GUESSING as the FACTS are limited.

  39. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    @Tron

    As a country reliant on Tourism, already significantly damaged by this VIRUS, it is best to deal with a heavy hit of FINANCIAL PAIN upfront and survive rather than jump to soon to open up only to revert to long term closures down the road when the smart protocol countries are well on their way to recovery.
    Tough LOVE up front will always win out in the long term.

  40. Rickross Avatar
    Rickross

    Solar is now ‘cheapest electricity in history’, confirms IEA(International Energy Agency).

    Huge Oil Import Bill A Threat To Barbados??? Competitiveness :
    Faced with a staggering oil importation bill to the tune of $787 million, Barbados has no choice but to press ahead with energy initiatives if it is to maintain its competitive edge.

    “This expenditure has undermined our competitiveness and distorted electricity rates to an unprecedented extent.?? This situation has become the greatest challenge of our time and we cannot continue business as usual ,” Prime Minister Freundel Stuart emphasised.

    Govt phasing out gas, diesel vehicles:
    From next month, Government will be looking to phase out the importation of gasoline and diesel vehicles.

    Minister of Energy Kerrie Symmonds, speaking after a 40th anniversary service for the National Petroleum Corporation at Sanctuary Empowerment Centre, Country Road, St Michael, yesterday, said it was part of the effort to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels by 2030.

    He added Government was leading by example, with the fuel import bill ranging from $450 million to $800 million a year.

    Barbados’ fuel import bill has increased for the third year while the country continues efforts to become a renewable energy economy.

    Based on information released by the Central Bank on Wednesday, Barbados spent $728.1 million on overseas oil products last year. This is about $16 million more than the amount in 2018 and is the highest total since 2014 when the bill was $877.5 million.

    Barbados has not made any significant progress in reducing oil import despite a lot of hot air from politicians. Barbados cannot achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030(less than 10 yr) based on current trends.

    Code words from Minister of Energy Kerrie Symmonds is “phase out”.

    BLlP Manefesto 2003-2008 :ENERGY
    Safe, reliable energy products at
    the lowest possible prices
    remains the anchor of our
    energy policy. While we will
    continue to ensure the
    availability and efficient use of
    petroleum products, we will also
    vigorously pursue the
    development of renewable
    energy sources.
    Given the existence of the
    Caricom Single Market &
    Economy, our energy policy will
    be geared to regional realities
    and opportunities.
    In pursuit of this, a BLP
    Government will:
    Increase production of
    petroleum both on-shore
    and off-shore.
    Intensify the $30 million
    capital programme to double
    the number of households
    with access to natural gas
    (from the current 13, 000 to
    26, 000).

    In 2003 the BLP promised to vigously persue renewable energy.

    Barbados position in the world:
    *Costa Rica has produced 95% of its electricity from hydro, geothermal, solar and wind over the past four years.

    Uruguay is now almost 100% powered by renewables almost after less than 10 years of concerted effort. The country invested heavily in wind and solar, rising from just 40% renewables as recently as 2012.

    Health effects of all petroleum products:

    Various chemicals in petroleum products present in refineries can cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

    Examples of chemicals in petroleum products and the health effects they cause are included below.

    Acetaldehyde may increase the risk of cancer.
    Benzene can cause leukemia. Exposure during pregnancy may affect the development of the child. Benzene exposure may also harm the male reproductive system.
    Benzo(a)pyrene can cause lung cancer.
    1,3-Butadiene can cause blood and lymphatic cancers. Exposure during pregnancy may affect the development of the child. 1,3-Butadiene exposure may also harm the reproductive systems of both men and women.
    Carbon monoxide exposure during pregnancy can affect the child’s brain development and cause loss of pregnancy.
    Ethylbenzene may increase the risk of cancer.
    Naphthalene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure may increase the risk of cancer.
    Formaldehyde (gas) can cause leukemia and cancers of the nose, throat, and sinuses.
    Lead is added to some types of aviation gasoline. Lead exposure during pregnancy can affect brain development and cause learning and behavioral problems for the child. It can also harm the reproductive systems of both men and women. Exposure to lead may increase the risk of cancer.
    Nickel can cause cancers of the lung, nasal cavity, and sinuses.
    Sulfur dioxide exposure during pregnancy can affect the development of the child.

    Risk of leukemia as a result of community exposure to gasoline vapors:
    March 2011 Environmental Research 111(4):597-602.

    … Relatively low-level exposure to benzene experienced by petroleum distribution workers has also been associated with an increased risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), some types of which are recognized precursors to Acute Myeloid Luekemia (AML) (Schnatter et al., 2012). Several studies have reported excess morbidity from leukemia or MDS in population groups either residentially or occupationally exposed to petroleum or its products (Schnatter et al., 2012;Barregardt et al., 2009;Talbott et al., 2011;Stenehjem et al., 2014).

    After three decades of epidemiologic research, diesel exhaust was classified as a carcinogen in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2012 based on evidence of its carcinogenicity to the lung (1).

    Increased cancer risk for petroleum industry workers and people living near plants:People working in the petroleum industry or living near petroleum facilities are at increased risk of developing several different cancer types, according to a new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARCWHO)..

    Offshore petroleum work was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and leukaemia.

    Living close to petroleum facilities was also associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia.

    Documents lay bare petrochemical industry’s $36 million ‘research strategy’ on carcinogen:
    1)For decades, the petrochemical industry spent millions on science seeking to minimize the dangers of benzene, a carcinogen tied to leukemia and other cancers.

    2)Our review of some 20,000 pages of internal records reveals the petrochemical industry went to great lengths to rebut studies showing harmful effects of benzene in low doses.

    Fossil Fuel Companies Distorted the Science about the Dangers of Benzene:
    To avoid regulation and protect itself from lawsuits, the fossil fuel industry funded nearly $40 million of research downplaying the link between the petrochemical benzene and cancer.

    Cleaning up Nigerian oil pollution could take 30 years, cost billions – UN NEWS.
    “In one community, Nisisioken Ogale, near a Nigerian National Petroleum Company pipeline, families are drinking water from wells contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, at levels over 900 times above UN World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines…”

    Nigeria: Study predicts “epidemic” of cancer in Nigeria’s oil producing region by 2025.
    ” studies published in American Journal of Environmental Sciences found that more residents of the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria are at a greater risk of developing different types of cancer due to exposure to crude oil pollutants. The studies, which predict ‘epidemic’ of cancers in oil producing areas of Nigeria by 2025, stated that more than 25 per cent of Nigerians are at an increased risk of developing cancer due to exposure to toxic chemicals from crude oil pollution, Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)…”

    Nigeria seeks EU help to counter cancer outbreak in polluted delta:
    Officials from the Federal Republic of Nigeria arrived in Brussels on Monday (26 June) to seek EU help with establishing cancer screening centres in the Niger Delta, a hugely polluted area where a large proportion of the population suffers from cancer.
    00

    SHELL Oil Spill in Barbados:
    ” multinational company, Shell had faced two lawsuits over the impact the 1995 and 2003 aviation jet A-1 fuel leaks from its Grantley Adams International Airport/Oistins Terminal pipeline had on nearly 200 acres of farmland and on the communities. The farmers had charged that oil spilling from the seven-mile pipeline wrecked crops, contaminated water supplies, reduced the fertility of the soil, caused a decline in production and earnings and forced some people out of agriculture..”

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    A good article by Harry Russell in today’s Nation to associate with the side discussion about the NOT fit for purpose system at BRA/Licensing Authority.

    The law and us
    I HAVE FAMILY and close friends who are lawyers whose logic too often I do not follow. I believe that lawyers, with all due respect, have developed different brains. It may be a process of training so as to differentiate them from ordinary folks so that when we find ourselves in difficulties we are constrained to seek their services.
    My namesake in the SUNDAY SUN of newspaper April 25, 2021 questions “whether government can place civil servants on fixed term contracts without their agreement”. But she also states that the Crown is specifically excluded from the Employment Rights Act. Is this a legitimate loophole? However, by Common Law, she states that a contract of employment relationship is a contractual one “requiring the consent of both parties and could involve damages for wrongful dismissal”. See what I mean by twisted logic?
    As far as I know, if I engage someone to be a gardener, I include in the contract verbal or written, my right to dismiss the person on two weeks’ notice or payment in lieu of notice and the person consents to this. But I am only a layman.
    However, our civil service at this moment comprises of persons who have worked for 20 or 30 years and depend on staying on the job for another ten years, having planned the obligation and mortgages to be fulfilled by the time they are scheduled to retire and collect pension. If it is planned that a position for continuation now depends on a job assessment, then the Government will have more control in the decision for him to remain in the job. Is this control or progress? Perhaps the Government is thinking of sweetening the pot.
    Dragging us willingly
    A previous prime minister in frustration describes the civil service as an “army of occupation”. Could this be the time to put an end to the occupation? After all, we are now entering the computerising age and Government might be dragging us willingly or unwillingly into the future.
    So does the Government have a fight on its hand? Why? It must have considered the legal argument put forward by my namesake. The Government has a “woogle” of lawyers at their beck and call. Yet we see that some senior posts are already being advertised.
    One General Secretary has already voiced objection to this move and I expect much more opposition to come. But the Government has the main expected source of opposition in its bosom and only the poor Bishop on the Opposition. The Senate can talk ‘hoosey’.
    Leading the way
    Barbados intends to bring its systems in line with modern technology. If it does not, we fear that we will be left behind. That thinking may not only be evident from the actions of the Government, but banks are leading the way. I peeped into a bank and saw of the six stations, one cashier
    station in operation and at least 50 people outside in the sun – some of them older than me. Banks are relentless, and the devil takes the hindmost.
    In the line outside the old ones all have cell phones that they know how to operate, but still are resisting the obvious strategies of the banks. And to think that the banks cannot operate without the very savings of the people outside in the rain.
    I heard the minister of small businesses expatiate eloquently on the activities regarding small and medium-sized business and the struggle with finding opportunities for finance. Not once did he mention the tool of the Bill of Exchange. Not surprising, as he is not expected to know about it. This is a wasted tool, ideal for businesses without collateral especially where transactions on paper do not necessarily have to be physically moved.
    That Government will go ahead and implement contracts in the civil service is a forgone conclusion and Government can do so not discounting legislation to forward legal argument that can be passed with its majority.
    The policy of putting civil servants on a contractual basis will affect many people already in the service. It is not a decision that can be made by referendum, just like the ganja issue or the issue of becoming a republic or the issue of removing Lord Nelson. Government will not dare. Thus namesake, you must wheel and come again. Dig deep and come up with a rationale for Government’s perceived behaviour. Perhaps your theory that common law will prevail will guide the Government.
    The saying, “We expect legislation to conform to public opinion, not public opinion to yield to legislation”, will be now under scrutiny.
    Harry Russell is a banker. Email quijote70@gmail.com

  42. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    @ Tron,
    I have to agree with Wily Coyote. The days of mass tourism may well be over. Your stubborn stance on this issue is an embarrassment.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/03/holidays-abroad-should-be-discouraged-to-stop-covid-third-wave-say-mps

  43. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Whilst Tron continues to bleat about Barbados reluctance to open the doors to mass tourism; Cuba continues to be the only island within the region to take research seriously. It appears to be on the cusp of developing and manufacturing a covid-19 vaccine for its population.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/3/cubas-long-biotech-investments-could-pay-off-in-covid-vaccines

  44. Rickross Avatar
    Rickross

    Environmental Research
    Volume 59, Issue 1, October 1992, Pages 238-249
    Dangerous and cancer-causing properties of products and chemicals in the oil refining and petrochemical industry: VIII. Health effects of motor fuels: Carcinogenicity of gasoline—Scientific update
    Summary
    1.
    Significant increases in tumors of kidney, liver, and other tissues and organs following exposure to gasoline provide sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity.

    2.
    Benzene, a significant component of gasoline, has been established without question as a human carcinogen by IARC, EPA, and WHO.

    3.
    1,3-Butadiene, a component of gasoline, is a powerful carcinogen in both animals and humans.

    4.
    Sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of alkyl benzenes, very significant components of gasoline, has also been established.

    5.
    Human epidemiologic studies show important increases in cancers of the kidney, stomach, brain, pancreas, prostate, lung, and skin as well as hematopoietic and lymphatic leukemias as a result of exposure to gasoline, its components, and its vapors.

    Stressing Air Pollution Kills 7 Million People Annually, Secretary-General Urges Governments to Build Green Economy, in Message for World Environment Day.
    UN News.

    A new analysis has found that exposure to toxic air, water, soil and chemicals kills 8.3 million people across the world each year. The landmark research was published by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution on Wednesday and it warned that pollution kills three times as many people a year as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. It is also responsible for 15 times the number of deaths caused by war and other forms of violence annually. The vast majority of deaths, more than 90%, occur in low and middle-income countries.
    Forbes (Dec, 2019).

    URGENT ACTION
    COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA DRINKING POLLUTED WATER
    There is an urgent need for the government and multinational oil company Shell to
    ensure a regular supply of safe water to people in the oil-producing Niger Delta region of
    Nigeria. Their right to water continues to be violated as they are forced to drink
    dangerously polluted water or buy water at unaffordable prices.
    The multinational oil company Shell and the government of Rivers State, in southern Nigeria, have failed to provide
    residents in Ogale, an area outside of the state capital, Port Harcourt, with a regular source of safe water. Most
    people must either buy water or drink groundwater, which a United Nations study published in 2011 found to be
    dangerously contaminated.
    The United National Environment Programme’s (UNEP) study found that residents of Ogale were drinking water
    from wells contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, at over 900 times above the international guideline,
    which was “certain to lead to long-term health consequences”. UNEP recommended that the Nigerian government
    take immediate action to stop people from drinking water from contaminated wells in Ogale and provide people with
    an alternative source of safe water. Despite this urgent call, people still lack access to such a source.
    Amnesty International visited Ogale and interviewed residents on 1 September 2018. Most of the residents
    interviewed are buying water for personal and domestic use such as drinking, cooking and bathing, even though
    they cannot afford to. Residents must spend money on water, which in some cases amounted to a third of their
    weekly income, and say they sometimes eat two meals a day instead of three. Those who cannot afford to buy
    water drink and use local groundwater, despite the signs warning them that it is dangerous for their health. Some
    people drink water from local wells and boreholes even if an oily sheen is visible on top. In some cases, people are
    paying for the water from boreholes. Others use rainwater that contains small black flakes. Residents have no
    other choice when they cannot afford to purchase water from private vendors and the government has not made
    safe water available for over a year. Coinciding with Amnesty International’s visit to Ogale, some of the government
    taps came back on. But residents say this is only for one hour a day in the morning or the afternoon and the
    quantity of water provided is not sufficient to meet their basic water needs. Amnesty International has reason to
    believe that the water fails to meet the World Health Organisation’s Guidelines for drinking water quality.
    Amesty International.

    A Dutch appeals court has ruled that the Nigerian branch of oil giant Shell is responsible for damage caused by leaks in the Niger Delta.
    BBC NEWS (Jan 2021).

    Chevron-Texaco’s chemical genocide in Ecuador
    (July 28, 2006).
    ” Pits the size of football fields filled with a choking sludge of oil and dead animals. Children suffering from leukemia at four times the national average. Birth defects and miscarriages soaring. Drinking and bathing water polluted by carcinogens for hundreds of square kilometers.
    The unhindered oil pollution of Ecuador’s pristine rainforest began in 1964 and lasted for almost three decades….”

    ” Texaco Oil walked out of the country with $30 billion in profits stashed in its pockets, it left a toxic legacy for 30,000 rainforest dwellers that was 30 times worse than the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska.
    From 1964 until 1992, the U.S. corporation dumped in excess of 18.5 billion gallons of acutely toxic “produced water” into more than 650 open and unlined pits, as well as directly into the swamps, streams and rivers that make up the Amazon rainforest of north-eastern Ecuador. The byproduct of drilling, “produced water” contains some of the most dangerous known chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and Policyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The result has been what environmental experts believe to be the worst case of oil pollution on the planet and, after Chernobyl, possibly the second-worst environmental catastrophe in human history..”

    Solar power is the ‘new king’ and offers the ‘cheapest electricity in history’.
    The Independent (Oct, 2020).

    ‌The government of Barbados continues to waste million in forex with its slow transition to renewable energy.
    ‌
    In addition, government remains silent on health hazards associated with petroleum products.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    Antigua PM warns of mandatory vaccine for nationals: https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/05/03/antigua-pm-warns-of-mandatory-vaccine-for-nationals/

  46. David Avatar
    David

    Let us debate the issues fairly without the froth. Hyatt is a legacy contract.

    http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/mottley-lashes-government-awarding-contracts

  47. David Avatar
    David

    Bostic to host COVID-19 press conference: https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/05/03/bostic-to-host-covid-19-press-conference/

  48. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ TLSN
    “ “..Cuba continues to be the only island within the region to take research seriously”
    There was a LEADER called Fidel Castro, who actually believed in the capacity and resilience of his PEOPLE. He did not go around the place using cliches and so-called “down to earth language “to keep his followers in a state of frenzy.
    His EDUCATIONAL system was to serve the people and not be used to rip them off in law courts and the field of medicine. They were educated to give back and develop their minds in the service of the people and others in need.
    It’s leadership, sincerity and vision that develops a country. The entire region , at this moment doesn’t have any leaders in the vein of Fidel Castro.
    Until then we (the entire region)are saddled with whatever comes along pretending to be leaders.
    Even Ralphie could not make the grade. Once seen as another Castro;he flunked the test most shamefully.

  49. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    I support having the covid-19 vaccination.

    I do not support mandatory vaccinations.

  50. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    But to achieve these things did not Castro have to be a bit of a dictator?

Older Comments
1 2 3
Newer Comments

Leave a Reply to CrusoeCancel reply

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

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

Continue reading