The country continues to be embroiled and pitched forked from one issue to the next; transitioning to a republic, pandemic, tanking economy, DLP resurrection, National Insurance Fund (blogmaster’s pick)…
The latest issue choking public conversation-feeds is veteran journalist David Ellis answering the call up to national duty to serve in the role as Covid 19 Public Advisor. The blogmaster has no problem with decisions made by individuals as it affects career and livelihood. Although it is regrettable the single journalist who stands tall in the local arena was first put out to pasture because of company policy, followed by his right to make a decision to leave the profession- he hosted popular talk show 2-days weekly- to serve in his new role. Let us hope for the sake of Barbados he is successful in helping the country navigate the Covid 19 challenge.
Ellis known to ask searching questions of public officials will be missed as it pertains to government’s recent decision to import 150 prefab houses from China. Peter Wickham hosted Minister Duguid last week to discuss the matter and more questions were created than answered from the exercise. When Mr. Ellis called the show to ask more relevant questions, it seems preference was given to reading messages from WhatsAppers.
It has been reported a local company East West Buildings Solutions Barbados promised to complete the setup of the prefab houses within 42 days. This government promised to be transparent therefore Minister William Duguid should be able to answer a few reasonable questions.
- Who are the directors (beneficial owners) of East West Building Solutions Barbados?
- Usually Mark Maloney and Bjorn Bjerkhamn are on the same page, this time both have been reported to be singing from different hymn sheets. What is different this time around?
- Why was Maloney not asked by traditional media if he has been(will be) contracted to supply services and materials as part of the physical preparation for setup of the Chinese prefab houses?
The taxpayers deserve to know.
The BU community is free to add questions or share information to enlighten an unknowing public.
@NO
I did not bother to reply to the ‘Canada’ reference.
Good or bad, rightfully or wrongfully, every time an issue surfaces in Barbados, we are sent to look in Canada, France, Italy….
The only purpose is to distract and to convince us that a lack of transparency is the norm.
@ TheOGazerts ,
We have Investigative pitbulls uh mean reporters in Canada and a FOIA.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kevin-vuong-liberal-spadina-fort-york-1.6181154
NO
Thanks. Now send me the link.
Theo
“Good or bad, rightfully or wrongfully, every time an issue surfaces in Barbados, we are sent to look in Canada, France, Italy….”
If you weren’t so consumed with opposing me rather than what I say, you wouldn’t be so narrow-minded and shallow in your comments. Keep thinking that I want to mislead, distract and tell lies.
😃
Consumed?
Obsessed?
Fixated?
Determined?
Eager?
Dying of desperation?
Not really.
Actually, I like you a lot (especially when you are not m̶i̶s̶l̶e̶a̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ contributing)
Hope yall aren’t so caught up with small island corruption, secrecy and 2-bit thieves that ya are not paying attention to world affairs….which determines what happens next for tiny isles…
All this love being shared among the bigger countries..we can certainly feel every drop..
“The French President was reportedly incandescent with rage after Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison reneged on a £65billion deal with France to supply it with diesel-powered subs. Mr Morrison stood alongside Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden to unveil a new trilateral security partnership called AUKUS on Wednesday.
It will see America provide Australia with nuclear-powered subs – giving it information that had only previously been shared with the UK.
But rather than seeing this as an attempt not to enrage Mr Johnson’s Government – some commentators said this was a “slight” on the UK’s perceived minor role in the deal.
Speaking last night BBC Newsnight’s Diplomatic Editor Mark Urban said it was “unprecedented” for France to recall the ambassadors.
Presenter Kirsty Wark asked: “Why do you think the UK is seemingly exempt from this ambassadorial recall?”
He replied: “A former French ambassador to the US tweeted just before we came on air (that) it could be seen as a sign of conciliation or one of contempt.
“There’s no doubt that some people in Paris want to throw shade on the UK in this – very much regarding them as the go betweens the Australians and the US in enabling this deal.
“So some people definitely take the view that it is a deliberate slight.
“But there are others that would argue that no – there are so many bilateral important issues going on at the moment that perhaps it would not be wise (to recall the French ambassador to the UK).
“And the key players in this anyway are Australia and the US.”
When asked about whether Mr Macron’s actions were a slight, France’s former ambassador to the UK Sylvie Bermann was evasive..
“The decision was taken by the US and Australia.”
Elsewhere POLITICO journalist Rym Momtaz wrote: “Rarely have French officials been so acerbic in their statements, toward an ally or a foe.
“For them, the US under President Joe Biden is still Trumpian, Australia is disloyal and untrustworthy, and the UK so scorned as to not even be worth mentioning.”
Shortly after the news emerged, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned Australia that it could not simply get “out of” the deal.”
@John A
Do you agree with the PM that with 500 houses required to satisfy people displaced by Elsa, ordering 150 prefab houses will not negatively affect local artisans?
We need to know the principals behind EWBSB though.
David,
No responsible government goes on an immediate building spree to rehouse its citizens in the aftermath of a hurricane. Are you saying that up to 500 new houses are to built to facilitate those who have lost their houses.
When you have a house you take out an insurance policy. Your insurer will then find you appropriate accommodation whilst waiting for the house to be rebuilt. We have had thousands of cases in the UK where homeowners have been flooded out of their house and been put in temporary accommodation for over two years.
If these unfortunate people have lacked insurance then they should be rehoused but not at a complete burden to the state. Hotels should house them or we should look at placing them in the numerous dilapidated stone structures that can be fully restored and refurbished. They themselves can assist in the building works.
Stop talking nonsense David, “We need to know the principals behind EWBSB though.”
This whole thing is one big con and you know this to be the truth.
NEW PHRASE from the PM….
” Google and see “
David bu i do not know who the Ewb owners are and i too would like to know.However Mr Dugiud in my view is not a political heavyweight and would have had to get cabinet, s approval especially Ms Mottley to persue this imported houses project.There is no way he could be involve in any scam unknown to the PM.Therefore this talk of corruption is just a lot of political nonsense perputrated by the dems mostly looking to score cheap political points.It is the same with the vaccines pure political folly.This is not the time for political games with people, s lives at stake but a time for all hands on deck.I gone.
@Lorenzo
Asking for info about the principals at EWBSB is about transparency and holding our government accountable. It has nothing to go at first instance with corruption although this may be an iss.
What?????????
Duguid, Mia – makes no difference!
The question is the same and somebody needs to answer.
“There is no way he could be involve in any scam unknown to the PM.”
We agree. The belief is that this scam is known to the PM and has her approval.
” Google and see “
no wonder Fool Enuff…Mia’s parrot… was telling me that shite recently…like if i could google and find Crooks Anonymous…
WURA
You googled yet bout the Tanks v tanks?🤣🤣🤣
When I heard that the Minister state the photovoltaic panels would help pay for the homes, I said to myself this man must be a full fledged village idiot (apologies to all villagers). Clearly this minister is misinformed and knows little of the environmental measures that should be in place when it comes to building modern domestic homes. Photovoltaics should never be an option it should always be mandatory. If the Minister is still keen on going down the LSG building route he should carry out some serious research. LSG construction has been with us for many years. Is it an appropriate construction method for our region? Maybe. Certainly it’s lightweight nature would allow us to build vertically as its load base would be lighter than masonary construction. However it would lack the thermal mass qualities of our coral stone structures. This means it would not have the same properties as coral which stores the heat in its structure like a storage heater during the day and releases during the evening. This information is far above the Minister’s pay grade.
GP2 where the hell are you?! This is your domain.
@enuff
There are many
Merx.com (it costs $$) is the most complete.
Biddingo.com (big in provincial tenders)
Buyandsell.gc.ca
open.canada.ca gives all federal results
Most require logins.
WURa
Yuh spot de difference?🤣🤣
https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/bwa-community-tanks-to-be-reinstalled/
Thanks NO.
Will these LSG houses be built in the same manner as all other resident homes in Barbados where human waste is flushed into the ground or will we look at the more englightened methods to manage this waste. Will these houses incorporate self-timer taps? Or grey/rainwater harvesting features? Will this house include the obligatory air conditioning units or will it incorporate passive cooling design elements within the structure which will allow for the building to remain at a more comfortable indoor temperature for the inhabitant of the house. Will trees be used in the landscaping to reduce the powerful sunlight rays. as they bake the house as if it were in an oven?
Trace back your history and you will see how Caribbean architects and builders were aware of these concepts. Will these imported houses compensate for our environment?
Somebody in government needs to raise their game and fast. The British journalist would often scoff at how Barbados was becoming a failed state. Who in their right mind would counter his fears.
“You googled yet bout the Tanks v tanks”
no need to, that scam has passed this way before and cost taxpayers approx..200 MILLION DOLLARS… was THE LOAN from IDB or CDB…has it been repaid yet…that’s the question..
What would happen if the government of a country decided to try to find everyone who was homeless and living on the streets and offer them a place to live?
“That is exactly what happened in England as the coronavirus pandemic hit. The government says 90% of rough sleepers were offered rooms in hotels that sat empty because of the lockdown.
Simon Maybin spent the past year and a half following the lives of some of the people who”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09vv0m8
21st century requires PIPE BORNE WATER…tanks are for emergency use…hope 20 years from now when we are too old to move we don’t here that those tanks are still there and EMPTY from the previous decade..
@ Waru,
To have piped water and at the same time introduce modern LGS steel homes is a task to many for these fools. When you can’t do the basics right what is the point in continuing.
You two got me deddin wid laff. The engineer in the video clearly says the 700,000 gallon TANK (not a community tank), which is to supplement the reservoir on the same site, is to be connected to the network system. Yuh know the system that delivers pipe WATER? When yuh can’t cut & paste, some of you duz struggle. Tek de wheel Jesus!🤣🤣🤣🤣
would it not make better sense to BUILD ANOTHER RESERVIOR .. or DAM….heard they started on those, so when will they finish…
TLSN…they always got some fly by night scheme to SUCK the money borrowed in the people’s name….then point fingers at each other about WHO TIEF THE MOST……
@David
I would say that to bring 150 houses from China with a shipping time of 2 months does not fall in my assessment of urgently needed. I feel in 60 days our guys could easily erect 150 houses. As I said I watched a few bajans put on the cement board sidings and permaclad roof on a house that was around 40ft x20 ft in 7 days!
@John A
If we accept the PM’s line of reasoning local builders will be involved in building 350 houses, the 150 is to address time and resource issues?
Did anyone else listen to the PM this evening. The Chinese company building the prefab houses are to set up shop in Barbados.
@ Heather
Who then is the local shareholder? Also why would we entertain bringing in competition from China when our local guys hungry for work? Our local builders can not compete with Chinese workers when our guys daily wage is their weekly one.
How ever you spin this it is nonesence.
EXPORT! Duhhhh it is obvious what the real reason of wunna outrage is.🤣🤣
@ John A September 18, 2021 9:00 PM
We should finally learn from the world power China. If we want to be as successful, we have to halve wages and double working hours. Compared to China, we are a communist country with overpowering trade unions, little work ethic and, above all, zero prospect of substantial economic growth for the next decades.
Instead, since 1966, we have been following the example of the former Soviet Union with high taxes and import duties, little work ethic and far too much bureaucracy that chokes our business community. There is a lawyer or a union leader lurking on every corner terrorising our business people.
We must finally learn from the winners and leave the losers of history, guys like Barrow and troubling union leaders, behind and sink them into the depths of the sea of oblivion.
Our children learn all about socialism, solidarity, island nationalism and other 19th century junk at Harrison and Queen’s College instead of introducing them to investment banking, hedge funds, cloudwork and other saviours of humanity. Poisoned in this way, school leavers are already marked out as true losers before they even get to university.
“would it not make better sense to BUILD ANOTHER RESERVIOR .. or DAM”
It would be better if you Google the meaning of SUPPLEMENT. Also look for CONTINGENCY and RESILIENCE.🤣 🤡
@John A, I wonder when we will hear the truth. So many twists and turns. It does not make any sense. This Chinese infiltration will end badly. Too many local contractors have no work, are not being consulted and will most likely be pushed out of the market as they will not be able to compete or they will have to get into business with another Chinese company to compete.
@ David
There is no reason to give China the business for 15 houses far less 150. Mark my word if this happens the Chinese with their joint company, will be building every NHC house going forward. You talking about a country with labour cost that is a fraction of ours, with no unions to protect workers or limit them to a 40 hour week. Combine that with China supplying from the screws to the windows and what is there left for local craftsman and businesses to supply ? I mean our local guys make get the work to pump the chemical toilets but what really is left but the crumbs on the table?
Even if our guys were 25% more expensive I would give them the business and I will tell you why. Those small and medium size contractors will spend locally and the vat from putting the $29M in their hands will come back to government. Based on this in the end the net cost per house may well end up the same. This is a short sited decision that Dogood can not explain away. Plus as I said how could these house be needed urgently when the shipping time alone is 60 days and that does not include the prep time for the order?
I mean nothing about this makes any sense. It may mind you make cents to some though.
@John A
Let us examine The Grotto, Constant, Greens, Parish Land etc. you following?
“You talking about a country with labour cost that is a fraction of ours, with no unions to protect workers or limit them to a 40 hour week.”
China has reached the top of the world because this nation is capable and hard-working.
We, on the other hand, are weak. Unions, lawyers and other highwaymen tyrannise the business community. If we in Barbados continue to rely only on rebellious union leaders and other losers and print their faces on banknotes as a reward, we will never rise.
We have had zero economic growth for 13 years (!!!). Our currency is a terrible joke. You can’t even buy 20 litres of petrol with 50 Barbados dollars. What more has to happen for people to finally wake up and realise that our tropical socialism is leading us into the abyss? Or should I say, already led into the abyss?
@NorthernObserver September 17, 2021 1:43 PM ” What is the secret?”
China has a population of one and a half billion people. I’ve been told highly productive people. A one paty government. I expect that China collects massive amounts of tax money from its highly productive work force. Now if I was a Chinese leader I would use some of that massive amount tax money to fund foreign election campaigns–even in little morsel places like Barbados–so whichever party wins, China wins. China trades. China sells its products. China keeps its massive population fed,clothed sheltered, educated, cared for from the cradle to the grave.
So secret?
What secret wunna talking’bout?
“A one party government.”
That sounds like Barbados. One leader, one party, one country.
“It would be better if you Google the meaning of SUPPLEMENT. Also look for CONTINGENCY and RESILIENCE”
don’t have to google to know supplement means..BACK UP = tank = EMERGENCY….as i said previously
=TIEF and SKIM millions off the top…as opposed to building RESERVIORS and DAMS as people have been begging, cussing and beseeching since the 1970s flood.
all those pretty big words, try not to stumble over them, just means that the CLUSTER OF minority CROOKS are in the grip of yet..another GET-RICH-QUICK scheme at the expense of Black taxpayers…
TLSN…..me thinks that no one thought of building another reservoir or two for PERMANENCY..the most important word………instead of these TEMPORARY,contingency, resilience, supplement……yardfowl words…..too busy trying to skim from the loans before they disappear…
“Plus as I said how could these house be needed urgently when the shipping time alone is 60 days and that does not include the prep time for the order?
I mean nothing about this makes any sense. It may mind you make cents to some though.”
even 5,000 local men working around the clock would produce frames and whole houses in a faster timeframe…they took China’s money and now have to dance to their tune…don’t mind all the flimsy excuses.
Just bear in mind that they are UNABLE TO REPAY ANY LOANS from the last 10 years and will probably not be able to for another 20 more at least if they keep up with the dependency tourism only folly that has GONE NOWHERE for the Black majority for 55 YEARS…so that crippling financial condition will be around for A LONG, LONG WHILE…
.China does not take kindly to you not repaying their loans..how much was it, over 400 MILLION or more, especially since they calculated and worked out so well from the very beginning THAT YA CAN’T…
Fowl Enuff….google the word permanency and see what ya get…..then calculate how many RESERVIORS and DAMS the 1 billion dollars in STOLEN VAT…and tax evaders SCAMS…..could have built, then work out how many more the missing 5-6 BILLION DOLLARS, taxpayer’s and pensioners money could have done the same….that would be real EFFICIENCY…..another word to google…not to be confused with expediency…
The Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness in need of 1 million dollars to build a homeless shelter
Donations are being accepted
Xxxxxxxxx
With the rise in poverty on the island poverty and homeless would become a serious socio-economic problem on the island
Many here who use a source of gab for recognition can seize this opportunity and help stem the flow of homelessness off the streets of Barbados
I believe that many on this forum are struggling to see the bigger picture. Mia’s outrageous claim that Barbados was under populated and required an injection of its population by 80,000 was no idle boast.
Unlike most here on BU I have spent some time in East Africa. I can confirm to you, especially in a city like Nairobi where the housing stock is truly awful, you will see an exponential rise in construction. In particular you will see huge ten plus storey apartment blocks built in rapidly time. Such constructions are possible using heavier guage steel or in some cases lighter guage steel.
These apartment blocks are fine in Nairobi as it has a low quality and an ugly architectural landscape littered with non-descript buildings. This is not the case with Barbados which has a tropical environment and a vernacular style of architecture which distinguishes it from these faceless designs. An example of this would be the hideous Chinese car park in Bridgetown built by our Chinese friends which has nor architectural merit.
In Kenya the Chinese are the kings of hideous high rise developments. No country can churn out construction projects as fast as the Chinese.
Take a look at this Chinese company in the link below who are installed in Nairobi. They are at the heart of a number of construction projects in Africa. If you check their recruitment page they are looking at recruiting an accountant but no trades personnel.
To sum up, these prefabricated homes will cater for only a small section of the predicted construction projects within Barbados. We have to assume that our crazy Prime Minister is obsessed with enlarging our population. With land been scarce the threat of a high rise corridor built on a bedrock of coral may well come under fruition under this egotist backed by outside interests.
The losers as always will be the majority black population. Apart from our friend Tron.
https://property.erdemann.co.ke/
The dye has been cast govt has already signed the deal
No transparency and lack of trust in the people has allowed for govt to move this project forward
David BU for you it may be about transparency but when i see certain persons on here speaking I KNOW IT IS POLITICAL..Look at the names John A, Angela Cox, Hants, Dames Bajan, Theo and others.In my view some of these persons certainly are not wishing for the best for Barbados but hopes to see Barbados especially led by Ms Mottley fail.Just recently it was stated by one of dem not the aforementioned names, that the doctors and nurses were responsible for the death,s at the isolation facility.IAfter all the hard work done down there by those people.This is the thanks they get on social media i mean how more ridiculous can some people get?As far as these houses go i clearly heard Dr Duguid speak of the need for speed to get some persons who were living in substandard housing , even in cars rehoused.What is wrong with that?Tell us csn the local contractors fulfill this obligation in the time frame required?The noisemakers on here are in the comfort of their own homes, some not even in Barnados but know what is best for suffering housing victims here in Barbados.Give me a break.I gone.
@Lorenzo
You comment does NOT address the issue, lacks of transparency around governmentâs partner EWBSB.
LorenzoSeptember 19, 2021 8:01 AM
David BU for you it may be about transparency but when i see certain persons on here speaking I KNOW IT IS POLITICAL..Look at the names John A, Angela Cox, Hants, Dames Bajan, Theo and others.In my view some of these persons certainly are not wishing for the best for Barbados but hopes to see Barbados especially led by Ms Mottley fail.Just recently it was stated by one of dem not the aforementioned names, that the doctors and nurses were responsible for the death,s at the isolation facility.IAfter all the hard work done down there by those people.This is the thanks they get on social media i mean how more ridiculous can some people get?As far as these houses go i clearly heard Dr Duguid speak of the need for speed to get some persons who were living in substandard housing , even in cars rehoused.What is wrong with that?Tell us csn the local contractors fulfill this obligation in the time frame required?The noisemakers on here are in the comfort of their own homes, some not even in Barnados but know what is best for suffering housing victims here in Barbados.Give me a break.I gone.
Xxxxx
Baffled nonsense
people should not be living in those fire traps for high rises….Kenya has too much land space for that, but i don’t get involved in Africa’s politics just as i don’t in others.
@SS
Secret pertained to the ownership of EWBSB. The GoB has entered into a contract (means spending taxpayer $$) via a JV with a company (EWBSB). And the name is not a local household word, there is no contact information for persons seeking work, and it cannot be found in the local corporate registry. Hence….why the secret?
The private sector can do as they please once they comply with local regulations. GEL can announce they are refurbishing Parkinson school, but even they have professional drawings to show what they intend to do. Have you seen anything similar for these houses?
Since I bid construction for years, I can tell you while public bodies for all kinds of reasons can go from an RFP to a contract, to go from an EOI (Expression of Interest) to a contract is most unusual. An EOI is like a pre-qualification to determine what is available, who is capable, and some idea of cost and timing.
There are over 40 firms in China which produce prefab steel frame housing. Many elsewhere too. You cannot tell me you know the size and configuration of units, but do not have architectural and structural drawings?
This lack of information smacks of incompetence. Next thing you know the $$ numbers tossed around are just for the materials, the installed cost is triple, and @enuff will point out it was never stated this was the total cost.
The island is broke, it cannot afford inefficient expenditures.
Recall, the taxpayers of Barbados spent at least $124M on Clearwater Bay. The 4Seasons project never restarted to any degree, and beyond a PLAN of how monies were to be spent, we have NO confirmation of exactly where the ‘written off’ monies went?
This is what happens when there are no controls nor accountability.
If the taxpayers do not demand accountability beyond an election every X years, you will get none.
@ Lorenzo
Of the 100 plus comments on this issue you don’t find it strange that the only 2 supporters of this madness are you and your buddy Enuff?
All the people here are asking is questions David Ellis would of asked before accepting the 30 pieces of silver for his silence.
@NO
I doubt of you can explain it any better. But such a clear explanation will be met by partisan gibberish.
It is unbelievable that in a nation facing financial difficulties, some are opposed to having greater and needed transparency in our spending.
Miller…Fowl Enuff just got bad timing, he heard me say i was busy and chose the time where am just about 80% finished PROOF READING a 400 PAGE document to want to play word salad with me ….lol
‘In my view some of these persons certainly are not wishing for the best for Barbados but hopes to see Barbados especially led by Ms Mottley fail.”
If some continue to see everything as B or D, they will reach a point where they will be supporting ‘some wrongs’.
The idea that one party is always wrong and the other is always right cannot be supported by the facts at hand. This is even more apparent when both parties engage in the same practices when they acquire power. This is clearly seen when partisan A puts out a laundry list and partisan B replies with a different list of scams.
What I find surprising is that some who would fight against the best interest of the nation (having transparency in public business) would attempt to wrap themselves in the national flag and push others out of the nation tent at the same time.
Good news on transparency: Lord Marshal Dale is bringing back the Integrity Bill.
We will if the outspoken Senator is still walking out in order to sabotage the bill, provoking people. Barbadians, watch the Senate to remind our Senators of their sacred duties to our Supreme Leader and our island.
http://www.nomadmicrohomes.com/
John A i guess you missed the first part of my response.Therefore let me repeat, i do not not know the owners of EWB and like others i too would like to know.However, beyond that i am looking at the bigger picture as stated by Dr Duguid of getting the victims of hurricane elsa rehoused like you and me as soon as possible.This is the immediate priority.What is wrong with that? As John 2 always dtates once this government announces a policy position you are going to look for some angle to criticize.Perhaps you should step up and run for the dems or another party see how far you get.As for Gazzerts i do not waste time with comedians.I gone.
The ‘big picture’ is this government delivering on a promise to promote transparency in public life and a working governance framework. All building to growing public trust in government and reversing growing cynicism and apathy with the public. Governments before this one have failed, the Mottley government has the best opportunity with a 29-1 mandate to make it right.
“As John 2 always dtates once this government announces a policy position you are going to look for some angle to criticize.”
I am hoping that J2 will also comment on your haste to embrace any policy of the current GoB. Even when you can see the defects, you gives a thumbs up and moved on.
@ Lorenzo
I usually would not even bother replying to that comment, but as I here waiting for a chicken to bake and got time to burn, I got 4 questions for you to answer directly and to the point as the questions are posed. In bajan terms no yardfolwism or party deflection will be entertained then. You ready cause here they are .
No 1. Why in an economy where construction has been decimated would you give the Chinese a $29M contract?
No 2. Who are the local shareholders in this entity? Please state given names of individuals and not holding companies or shadow companies.
No 3. If the housed so urgent why we going to China where the shipping time alone is 60 days and on top of that you got to add the prep time at the factory for the order?
No 4. What proof do you have in the form of an official construction survey or a published QS report, that can confirm a coalition of Bajan small, medium and large contractors could not erect 150 houses in 60 days ?
Now in answering all responses must be free of fowlism and must respond directly to the questions posed. Oh and to make it easy for you the rules allow you to seek the assistance of your fellow loyalist Enuff and John2.
We await your response with baited breath. Failing that we would appreciate uninterrupted silence from the trio on this topic. LOL
I design houses and other stuff as a ” hobby “.
Look forward to seeing the Chinese metal frame houses.
BIZZY brace! Rumour has it you favourite person coming for you with Chinese prefab steel buildings that will be entitled to full duty free status as a manufacturer here pun de rock. Of course he coming in as the godfather of the displaced so as to look good in the face of the masses, but you done know what the plan is. Hope the bajans that might get a pick there know Mandarin!
It is true when they say “the powerful hunters always like to tackle vulnerable pray.” God knows poor little Bim weak and limping long so watch the sharks feed.
David
No one has yet been able to demonstrate that there is a local alternative to expeditiously re-housing the households displaced by Elsa and the freak storm. No one has been able to demonstrate that the construction industry is so dead that the labour required to undertake government’s massive task is available. Have Bajans redirected their disposable income to home improvements with the Corona-induced travel ban? The matter of cost also cannot be excluded from the equation. But BU is known for weak, narrow, feelings-based arguments rather than robust, evidence-based, lucid positions. The opposition to the importation of 150 houses is pure politicking in light of the damage from Elsa and the overall construction activity being undertaken by the govt, which is andvwill be far more than just housing as up to today an RFP for the new fire station is in the newspaper, few weeks ago the fire station in the port, glendairy prison, Oistins and Holetown govt complexes, schools, restoration of old government buildings etc). Only red herrings–strucural defects, Chinese labour etc etc are being offered up. Some can’t even identify or accept the potential opportunities from a prefab housing factory being established in Barbados given the major issue of lack of high-quality affordable housing in Latin America and the Caribbean, and of course the ongoing need for quick housing solutions as we are in a region prone to hurricanes etc.
@enuff
The blogmaster had posted a simple ask of government- what is the bona fides of EWBSB, a company that has been awarded a significant public contr.
Nothing new here the performance of this govt since may 2018 was to do as they dam please
The people were muzzled with all kind of grandiose expectations coming up to the last election campaign prior to 2018
What is happening now was foretold by the late OSA in his descriptive words attached to Mia Character
Despot and megalomania
Once the horse has bolted it is very hard to return it to the stable
A lot of mix up, mix up….and still can’t answer why from 1970 – 2021 = 51 YEARS…there are no additional RESERVOIRS….or DAMS on the island to stop the depressed areas from suffering from water…..while life saving water is directed AWAY FROM THEM to water lawns and golf courses….day ran….NIGHT HAS CAUGHT UP…
still can’t tell us why the housing stock is NOT STRONGER after 55 YEARS…and the landscae is dotted with run down houses……although it’s known that hurricanes periodically visit…won’t hold my breath, yall don’t even have safety exits on those dilapidated buildings in Tudor and Swan Streets etc still and no fire safety in place..one fire would raze them all to the ground….6 perished last time….
still can’t tell us why….the male population in Barbados numbering am sure THOUSANDS STRONG are INCAPABLE of building houses and frames…in record time when they BUILD in one capacity or another..EVERY DAY…so how do you think China will do it…they will bring out a work force and ROTATE THEM…it’s not rocket science yall just like to pretend that it is…land of pretenders…
David,
You filling in for the other David?
Congratulations on not being distracted by irrelevance!
You have asked a simple question to which there should be a simple answer.
It is our money they are spending. Why won’t they tell us with whom they are spending our money?
If there is nothing to hide, why make it hard, thereby arousing suspicion?
Did we not have Minister Duguid come to a programme promising answers?
Why are there more questions still than answers?
Why not provide answers and let us move on?
We are willing to listen to reason, not weak distractions as offered by Enuff and Lorenzo.
I think the powers that be are simply employing the usual technique
Count nine days and poof!
The population woke up full blast….except for fowl Slaves who are also well represented in numbers, don’t think the bizzy “gimme” crook …impresses woke intelligent people anymore…the people would do well to move away from all of that…tout suite…then they will have to import Slaves with everyone watching…since THEY ARE ALL SCRAMBLING…
how many Slaves do they need again… 80,000..lol
“The 150 prefabricated emergency houses from China will be heading to Barbados shortly.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in an address to the nation Saturday evening, said she had been advised by her Minister of Housing that they would leave a port in China on Tuesday, September 21.”
https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/19/emergency-prefab-houses-leaving-china-soon/
” And we say to the country, that we are in deep negotiation to have that same Chinese entity establish a manufacturing firm here, that will see us producing those houses not just for Barbados, but for export,” she disclosed.”
LorenzoSeptember 19, 2021 12:18 PM
John A i guess you missed the first part of my response.Therefore let me repeat, i do not not know the owners of EWB and like others i too would like to know.However, beyond that i am looking at the bigger picture as stated by Dr Duguid of getting the victims of hurricane elsa rehoused like you and me as soon as possible.This is the immediate priority.What is wrong with that? As John 2 always dtates once this government announces a policy position you are going to look for some angle to criticize.Perhaps you should step up and run for the dems or another party see how far you get.As for Gazzerts i do not waste time with comedians.I gone
Xxxxxx
The bigger picture shows an angle of 180 degrees where the Chinese are the first beneficiaries of the public purse whereby their economy benefits as govt pumps million of dollars by way of buying prefab house
Meanwhile our local economy lost is Chinese gain
On the flip side of this nonsense is what govt takes for granted is how govt will fit the small business person into an economical engagement funding. Work for them
”And we say to the country, that we are in deep negotiation to have that same Chinese entity establish a manufacturing firm here, that will see us producing those houses not just for Barbados, but for export,” she disclosed.”
@ Hants
Ask John A and he’ll tell you that’s BS.
It is easy seeking to justify the importation of the Chinese houses, by giving the impression Barbados stands to gain in the long-run, by constructing and exporting houses.
No sensible person should believe ‘government’ would go into a business venture ‘willy nilly’………. without an adequately prepared business plan, especially taking into consideration public funds MAY be used to finance the proposed business.
If ‘government’ has indeed embarked on such a venture, then the PM could provide us with a market analysis summary including market segmentation? Would be the export target market/potential customers be other Caribbean islands? The distribution channels planned to be used and the market share expected to be captured over a fixed period of time.
Would the company seek to develop strategic alliances with established construction companies or smaller construction firms, where there could be an equal distribution of work?
The management, personnel and financial plans would be interesting to read…….. and more so detailed projected financial statements (pro forma income statement, balance sheet & cash flows) for at least a 3 year period.
Detailed sales forecast for the first three years……. year 1, detailed , year 2 & 3 could be consolidated.
The financial considerations such as, does the company expect to be profitable during its first year of operation?
Simple information that could be reveal publicly.
Welcome to Chinbar….satellite office…
that suits them….they screwed up everything and took 55 YEARS to do it, believing that they were malicioiusly being slick….so this is the outcome…
Barbados don’t have anything but DEBT….this is China’s operation….
they gotta dance to every tune…and ask no questions..
the people gotta KNOW WHAT THEY WANT….they are on their own..
there were warnings and warnings…..
When you cannot repay China their money you have to GIVE UP SOMETHING….any country that got into bed with them will tell you, quite a few on the continent fell into that trap and now can’t move…again, Barbados has NOTHING…
didn’t Mia tell yall earlier on ya can learn…not an Afrikan language, but mandarin….lol
@ Artax
Lord my friend you are sitting right on the answer so let me help you.
If we use your example and government ” did ” come up with the idea who you know has access to a construction company, with a presence in the islands that also has access to pre cast foundations for these houses to be erected on?
Or did a dark shadow come up with the idea and went to government and say ” this is good for you and got political reward in it, wunna give me the right to bring this factory in with duty free manufacturing status and WATCH MUH?”
This remind me of a few years back when a fellow had another minister help he classify cement as a category that entitled he a similar status under the DEMS? Lord can’t remember for the life of me what the fellow name was at all! 😅
Connect the dots !
http://www.containerhomeshouses.com/
@ John A
I’ve ‘marked’ your words…… and will ask if you’re referring to a guy who, prior to May 18, 2018, was an ‘OUTLAW,’…………
………….. but, sometime thereafter……. he suddenly became and ‘IN-LAW?’
@ Artax
Ah there you go. After all in the absence of facts we are left to draw our own conclusions. Plus in Bim you can’t hide nutting.
Is Mark Maloney still driving the Hyatt duty free Merc?
Google
steel frame house china
@ David
That car getting old now soon time to change it for another duty free vehicle. Lol
If we have a transparency problem, it is entirely the fault of the opposition that sabotaged the Integrity Bill in the Senate.
So complain to the outspoken Senator and his supporters!
“I believe that many on this forum are struggling to see the bigger picture. Mia’s outrageous claim that Barbados was under populated and required an injection of its population by 80,000 was no idle boast.”
Hmmmm………
Let’s be FAIR and bring some level of BALANCE to the discussion.
Apparently, the PM’s call for an increase in Barbados’ population was based on a National Population Commission’s Report, which revealed the island’s birth and fertility rates have continuously declined since the 1960s, reaching below replacement levels in the 1980s. As a result, the country’s aged population became a cause for concern, because the declined labour force will burden the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Recall, in 2014, while speaking in the House, former Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Ronald Jones urged women ‘to make more babies,’ as he made a case that there was a need for the population to be increased to approximately 325,000 in 10 years, so as to increase the number of individuals in the workforce……. which would ultimately prevent the island’s standard of living from being compromised.
Also, on June 19, 2017, while responding to questions from the media at his Ministry’s Reef Road headquarters, former Industry Minister Donville Inniss said there was undisputed evidence that showed the percentage of the working and reproductive age population has not been growing at the same rate as the retired or aged population.
”This he said, would naturally put pressure on the society as a whole to be able to care for the elderly for the state to be able to provide the range of services that all citizens need in the future.’ “Therefore it is a rational call for the younger population size to increase.”
Inniss also said this can occur either as a result of women having more babies, by way of immigration or both.
So, we’ve essentially opted to imply Mottley has ulterior motives, rather than contextualize her comments……i.e. place the idea within its larger background, thereby enabling it to acquire its true or ideal and full meaning…….. and discuss the issue reasonably and rationally.
Am sure they told themselves they were going to get clean away and escape with this latest exercise of plotting and scheming, gloss it over and the people who they are going to beg for votes VERY SHORTLY…would never be the wiser just like their parents, grandparents and great grandparents were….nah…HERE LIES SLICK…..too many are fully awake and armed with more than Enuff information to BURY ALL OF YOU traitors…
by the way, does anyone know where these 80,000 emigres that Mia keeps hinting at will be coming from….if ya have had less thean 8 thousand minority parasites SUCKING on Black lives for over 60 years and consistently pushing the population further and further down the economic and societal ladder into long term poverty ….what yall think will happen when 80K mixed origin people are absorbed into a society that the crooks and their black imps have SPENT DECADES destroying….with racism, oppression, apartheid and disenfranchisement, all still alive and well… new introductions will only carry these crimes against Black humanity to its logical conclusion…
but ya had warnings on BU and other platforms for years on end….very few listened..now it’s all appearing as seen.
Guyana got the Afghans…am so happy for those racist, corrupt murderous indians in the government….couldn’t happen to a better bunch of beasts…
Someone on FB posted China’s prefab houses for everyone to see….ah guess this is what yall will get,
https://youtu.be/t_oKQ78Klcc?t=6
“It is widely used for big project’s temporary labor camp, refugee house, economic house, etc. We got different kinds of solutions for houses. For more information, feel free to contact me.”
someone opined below and i have to agree:
“Our ancestors were master builders and here in the twenty first century we are accepting this product.
This can be manufactured here in the Caribbean with better quality and design.
Oh boy China is being genial this looks like a Trojan Horse 🐎.”
Mia is NOT IN CHARGE ANYMORE…so don’t bother…and miss me with the bullshit excuses…..i have been quiet for days, leave it like that..
@ David September 19, 2021 6:12 PM
“Is Mark Maloney still driving the Hyatt duty free Merc?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lol!!
Shouldn’t you be directing that question to both Enuff and John No.2?
Maybe the Mal money fella has fired the Sales Director and is doing the job himself.
Will the Mal money fella follow the lead of the MAM’s government and engage the services of the Chinese to build the Hyatt mirage along with the penthouses earmarked for the former Harlequin site on the south Coast?
The Bajan economy needs real stimulation to feel the multiplier effects through really hard construction; not imported prefabs.
PS:
To the John No.2, the miller is still sitting ‘on’ Malmoney’s lap waiting to feel some kind of vertical movement.
Where is the ‘concrete-hard erection as promised to arise since May 2020?
What’s really is going on down there? No sign of life?
Should we ask your fellow yard-bird “Enuff” if the long ‘wait’ on easy money from the NIS has finally taken its toll and the project is now stone-dead from Covid?
It’s no different to buying a product and following the instructions to assemble it using a couple small wrenches, noted is that there are never more than 6 men present during assemblage and am sure one is a supervisor.
the most work would be taking place in the factories and foundries.
this is their tag line
“China Cheap and Easy-install prefab house”
so i don’t know what all those millions are for..
finished product looks like a medium sized barn, complete with barn windows, all ya need to add is furnitures and ya have temporary housing, and hope it’s not permanent.
I guess you have to be careful what your buying. It seems the wheels fell off our french made LRT trains again yesterday, what happens if the wheels fall off a sub
Waru what are you talking about that building in your video looks Hurricane Poof to me.
“China Cheap and Easy-install prefab house”
so i don’t know what all those millions are for..
You know if the houses in your video is the same houses that the government bringing in?
So why don’t you get them to show you what they are bringing in, what’s the secret??
You are the person who should uh get them to show you, so you won’t be on here posting every video you get.
Anyhow, that would give yuh something to do.
There a wa drawing of the prefab house on the front page of the Sunday Sun two weeks ago.
Mia gotta go, enuff is enuff….that’s the popular sentiment among the BLACK VOTERS who PUT HER THERE…
@ David,
I don’t have access to the Sunday Sun but I am sure the houses will look good to those who matter.
The people who lost their houses will be grateful.
@Hants
Will put up a screenshot for you.
https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/prefab.png
David
“The blogmaster had posted a simple ask of government- what is the bona fides of EWBSB, a company that has been awarded a significant public contr.”
But the BU intelligentsia and the trini accented caller to Brasstacks already told you it is a California-based LGBT company. Look at the house on the front page of the Nation and the Salemite’s version. Go figure. 🤣🤣
@Enuff
Do not deposit the blogmaster in a foolish category .
Some one asked if those Chinese make believe houses are up to code with Barbados building Code
Almost three weeks and no answer either from govt talking heads
The gladiator band of koolaid followers or the donkeys that bray on behalf of Mia here on BU
David
Now pray tell why would I do such? I always play the ball not the bowler.
You know enuff where there is a vacuum of information all manner of extraneous matter will fill it.
David
Let Dem fill it. It’s for govt to address. In my exposure to strict procurement, FOI etc I have never come across some of what the BUers demand. But yuh see prevention of corruption, the republic bill and IL about to drop?🤐
@enuff
You are saying the public read taxpayers do not have the right to know who is EWBSB?
Waru how do you get electrics in your huts.
“Look at the house on the front page of the Nation and the Salemite’s version. Go figure.”
Fowl Enuff…it’s the SAME initial structure WITH ENHANCEMENTS…more windows and trimmings…..but i won’t expect you to see that the designer made it more palatable to look at….it is a drawing remember….idiot..
if it’s so beautiful and structural sound…why is it going to be temporary..
but even with enhancements, it still looks like a BARN with enhancements…
Temporary? Woman go rest yuhself and stop talking foolishness. 🤣🤣
David
Stop trying to put words in my mouth. Thanks.
How should we interpret your comment in the context of the topic under discussion?