Portvale sugar factory continues to be closed at this most critical time of our crop season. Shockingly, the factory is still undergoing repairs after a two-week shutdown. Normally repairs happen during the planting and growing seasons, to avoid any shut-downs for repairs during the crop reaping time. Evidently, something has gone terribly wrong.
When CBC-TV finally broke the story that Portvale had already been closed for one week for repairs, the news reporter attempted to give comforting assurance and hope, by stating that: “the engineers are hard at work.” If engineers are seen to be hard at work on a problem that the public is aware of, then the situation must be very dire indeed.
THANKLESS WORK.
Experienced Engineers normally foresee problems and quietly solve them with permanent solutions – without any fanfare. Therefore, an Engineer’s work is normally thankless, because the public has no opportunity to complain about problems they avoided experiencing. The public are generally unaware that there was anything to give thanks for, when Engineers do their jobs well.
The Barbados media’s decision to treat the closure of the Portvale factory as a national secret, that the public had no right to know, is very troubling. The planters’ decision to spill the proverbial bean, by publicly complaining about the risk of canes rotting, may have forced their hand.
The Barbados media must resist the temptation to be the public relations arm and attack hounds of their political party, and start serving the public with integrity.
WHERE ARE THE ENGINEERS?
The more important issue is: Are there any Chartered Mechanical Engineers employed at Portvale factory to avoid these types of delays? If not, then are there any Chartered Mechanical Engineers working in the Ministry of Agriculture? If not, then is there a single Chartered Mechanical Engineer working in the entire public service of Barbados? Is there a single journalist in Barbados who can ask these questions?
If the Government of Barbados has decided to stop hiring Chartered Mechanical Engineers, then the public must prepare for a wave of: rapidly deteriorating infrastructure, more frequent breakdowns and closures, and unnecessarily higher taxes to prematurely replace poorly maintained infrastructure.
WHO WE ARE.
The effective solution is obvious. But we do not seem to want effective solutions in Barbados, because it robs us of an opportunity to show who we really are. We much prefer to let things deteriorate, because that gives the public the opportunity to complain.
The more loudly people complain, the more likely the problem will be temporarily addressed – at an unnecessarily high cost. These short-term solutions give the public many opportunities to show who we really are – a grateful people. We long to express our gratitude. But Engineers’ competence keeps frustrating that cultural attribute.
https://youtu.be/1vKaP2WSWrk
GP2 is describing the image he sees in the mirror.
Well said, Grenville! It is ridiculous indeed.
Deeper In Space
Deeper and Deeper
Inner Space Vs Outer Space
The eastern genius is going to the west to learn the know-how, the atomic energy. And the western genius is interested in coming to the east to know what meditation is, to know how to move in the inner space.
BLISSFUL MANTRAS | Yoga & Meditation Music, Deep Relaxation Music, Spiritual Music | Jane Winther
Why should the Barbados government employ a “chartered” engineer? The term “chartered” is associated with membership of an United Kingdom engineering institute. In Barbados, the appropriate professional designation is “Registered Professional Engineer”.
I don’t know about the “chartered” bit. I was referring to the frequent breakdowns and the media’s handling of it.
Grenville has finally realized that Barbados Government has NO INTEREST in solutions.
Not in ‘Solutions Barbados’, or indeed to any solutions to the many problems facing the country.
The situation with the sugar industry is PARTICULARLY ridiculous. The government has over the years made some of the most INANE decisions about the management of this industry.
Imagine that there are NO ENGINEERS even employed in this industry – far less in decision making positions? The various ‘Boards’ that run the industry consists of a set of vultures all looking to see how they can secure personal benefits.
How is it even possible to NOT be able to run a basic plant for three months out of a WHOLE year?
Who can be surprised that the industry is broke and in shambles?
But the REAL joke is that this is TYPICAL of life in Barbados.
The biggest engineering operation in Barbados – The Water Authority, is not far behind.
Every damn year these jokers spend hundreds of millions of dollars on ‘projects’ to improve the water supply – only for the pathetic looking spokesman to come with more apologies for thousands of Bajans having to go with basic supply.
The ONLY progress made by BWA over the years has been in returning Bajans to the old STAND-PIPE days of carrying buckets of water from a community tank.
So who exactly advises government on WORKABLE solutions to the many complex problems we have?
Is there an engineer the senate?
What boards are chaired by an engineer or have them?
Obviously, our government has NO INTEREST in real solutions to our problems.
Apparently ‘real’ engineers DO get in the way …by directing resources to PROBLEM SOLVING, rather to convenient consultants and party hacks…. as appears to be the objective.
A recent news report indicated workers at Portvale expressed concern about wrong parts ordered and this was the main reason for the breakdowns. Officials strongly denied. At the time the blogmaster wondered why workers would make such a serious accusation…
LOL @ David
The workers may be low level, but they are not blind.
After YEARS of seeing the SAME nonsense there are probably also fed up…
The more we look at our country, @ Pacha’s words seem prophetic: the centre cannot hold. Deception is rampant and bold.
We can understand CBC being the mouthpiece of governments. However, there is now absolutely pro BLP broadcasting and news in the Nation and on VOB.
Anybody criticizing Mottley now starts with : the PM is doing a great job but……..,.
We know the PM trying but………….
Even when she took the phone call from the guy and intercepted law enforcement. I read on this BU:
That’s how Mia is, she talks with anybody.
Not that she was wrong as hell !
So, connect the dots. Portvale was in a mess long before the news reached the press.
After all we suddenly saw the COVID deaths jump by 43 just so. Not a fellow asked how come everyday, we hear one or two died. But just so they missed 43.
And we noted when those numbers were released.
It was Uncle Elombe who said: he who controls the information has the power
Good piece , Mr. Philips
I gone.
Excellent video David
Should be titled “Barbados in a few months time…”
“We can understand CBC being the mouthpiece of governments. However, there is now absolutely pro BLP broadcasting and news in the Nation and on VOB.”
@ Mr. Skinner
At the risk of being deemed a ‘government apologist,’……. you’re behaving as though what you described in your above comments is something new or unique to the Mottley administration.
I’ll remind you there was “absolutely pro DLP broadcasting and news in the Nation and on VOB,” when David Thompson ‘was in power.’
Throughout the DLP’s 2008 – 2018 tenure, the ‘Barbados Advocate’ was completely devoted to reporting the ‘good news according to the DLP.’
Its owner, Sir Anthony Bryan, was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit in 2001, The Companion of Honour in 2016 and the Knight of St. Andrew, in 2017.
But, ‘on the other hand,’ the same media you’re now criticising, according to Bajans, gave the Sandiford administration ‘licks’ on a daily basis.
The media also gave Owen Arthur ’nuff licks’ during his third term as well.
And, majority of VOB’s moderators exhibited an obvious bias towards the DLP.
The Stuart administration also suffered a similar fate.
Based on this trend, I’m sure the time will come when the media gives Mottley her ‘fair share of licks.’
@ David
Is Portvale Sugar Factory a private sector owned entity…….. or a quasi government corporation, similar to BNOC?
@Artax
Isn’t it in the portfolio of BAMC?
“Based on this trend, I’m sure the time will come when the media gives Mottley her ‘fair share of licks.’”
When Mia is deemed a Cunt
she will get her licks
a whole heap of Cunt licks
I used to subscribe to both daily papers and found myself reading the same news in both. Only difference was one was usually a day or two late with the same article, so I discontinued one. By this time, the internet was really advancing and speeds made it more usable for getting international news. Again, I realized that breaking news in the print media was usually two days after the event had taken place. This newspaper also carried more foreign than local news and at the same time, column inches of news compared to column inches of advertising meant that I was subsidizing the advertising dollar of the numerous advertisers. I also put a stop to that. From its inception, the political bias of The CBC was known to one and all, it was the propaganda vehicle of the party in power and paid for by the taxpayer. Meanwhile the other broadcaster was cleaver enough to manipulate public opinion from behind the curtain. That is, until Market Vendor declared her hand by blatantly attacking anything and everyone not aligned with her party’s views. When she finally left the other station and opened her own platform, numerous board appointments was the payoff for years of political pandering. Throughout this entire time, another influencer used the airwaves to fashion opinions, but did so subtly that party colors were invisible to the naked eye. Call-In host after Call-In host found themselves in the halls of of power after auditioning on air as a Programme host. Meanwhile the master conjurer’s politics remained undeclared until retirement. All became clear when the fangs of this champion of the people was removed by an offer of a $15,000 non- existent job so as not to be critical of government. As Lyndon Johnson is alleged to have said “Better to have him in the tent peeing out than outside the tent peeing in”.
The media and its practitioners have reached a pathetic level in Barbados and sympathetically, it is understandable. A reporter can live in California , fly to Washington, do an investigative report and fly back to California by the time the expose is releases. He may never have met or ever will meet the object of the report. His life will not necessarily come to a screeching halt by a vindictive politician. Not so in Barbados where the boss is the godfather (godmother) to the politicians offspring and who acted as the bosses attorney before a change in profession and who lives next do to the journalist’s mother. They will also bump into each other at the supermarket on Wednesday, the rum shop over pudding and souse on Saturday and cricket on Sunday. It is impossible to do investigative reporting in Barbados with laws as currently structured by attorney/politicians, far less approved by a boss who is more interested in sociopolitical mobility while his board has its eyes focused solely on profits for their shareholders. Truth and honesty gets misplaced somewhere in that mix.
So to summarize, our media is as professional and as independent as Barbados is free of debt and as independent as our debts allow our international politics to be.
The decline of our sugar industry is entirely in line with our chief historian Sir-Professor Reckless. Didn’t he say that slaveholders got their slaves hooked on sugar like drug dealers got drug addicts hooked on drugs? Leaving aside the fact that such a thesis is, of course, completely wrong (who feeds expensive sugar to slaves?), we should not be surprised by the decline of agriculture. Our wages are far too high for the low output in the fields, the working hours too short.
@ David
I don’t know.
That’s the reason why I asked.
Grenville Phillips Greatest Hits and Misses
8 Nov 2020 · Is Grenville Phillips more than just an engineer? Does he have what it takes to break a 26-year long relationship with the Barbados Labour Party and the constituents of St George North?
He certainly thinks so and is confident of a win on November 11. A Barbados Today team caught up him on the campaign trail in Roach Village earlier this week.
12 Nov 2020 · Solutions Barbados president and St George North candidate, Grenville Phillips II has decided to call it quits from elective politics.
Ping Pong wrote on April 20, 2022 6:57 AM
Why should the Barbados government employ a “chartered” engineer? The term “chartered” is associated with membership of an United Kingdom engineering institute. In Barbados, the appropriate professional designation is “Registered Professional Engineer”.
The Chartered institutions are professional organizations that set and manage the professional and ethical standards of the profession. They started in the UK but have become international organizations. For example, the Institution of Structural Engineers has members in over 100 countries. Chartered professionals normally undergo rigorous technical assessment and is normally a global benchmark of competence.
There is no similar rigorous management of technical competence and ethics with local or national registration. That is why there is a quality difference between an accountant, and a chartered accountant etc.
@FearPlay, your piece above is interesting for its clear truisms and very amusing exactly because of that too! The Blogmaster @David labelles me pedantic for pointing to remarks such as yours and laughing my way to posts such as this, but gee. 🤦🏾♂️😂 I suspect I will also be accused as a ‘whataboutism-ist’! 🙄
But why would u NOT expect NEWS to be carried in all the local papers whether days apart or not … when big NEWS breaks in California doesn’t the SAME BASIC REPORT get carried in the LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Guardian in England etc etc ad nauseum 😇
Anyhow that’s not your main point of course but even to that which I presume is the matter of journalists being able to write powerful investigative pieces without concern of retribution or indeed being beholden to politicians but pretending otherwise … why is Bim or Ellis or Fernandes or let’s go back to a Don Norville particularly more culpable.
The simple point is that for all your truisms above the malaise you highlight has been part and parcel of journalism since the dawn of newspapers… and in little societies like ours it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to dis-entangle it very well.
That’s NOT to validate a lack of ethics and professionalism in Bim but simply to face that TRUISM just as u have identified those others above.
Oh, I mention Norville simply because I was shocked (or too naive and unfamiliar with politics of the day then) when he was appointed Press Secretary to Dipper Barrow.
I compare that in context to ur Ellis reference.
Lata.
David Ellis was retired when he accepted the offer from government?
@Artax, aha… I read ur 9:18 piece subsequent to my post otherwise I would have refrained, fah real.
You said it well and although such is repeated and repeated we still have the other media lambasting also repeated or presented in these ‘vacuum sealed’ rose tinted glass containers.
The media is NEVER all bad or good and although what’s presented as NEWS is completely DIFFERENT to the biases with editorials and features that a media practioner produces, is painfully obvious to all reasonable people we STILL get these very strange perspectives of how media in general and those in our very incestuous, small society should operate.
It’s maddeningly confusing … amazingly so.
Wasn’t or isn’t the Nation Group owned by a bunch of investors who were and are HEAVILY involved in politics. And as noted was the advocate also owned by such an individual!
Yet 1) don’t they also give us different sides of the political divide and 2) where they may not do that aren’t we freaking SENSIBLE enough to grasp that. And 3) what is stopping us from getting our info from any of the MANY other sources of news now available.
This is a TIRESOME debate.
LOL @David … maybe some one like @Vincent or @Bush Tea can correct me on this one but as memory serves so was Norville or close to be.
Anyhow, the LOL refers to the fact that either way, retirement or not, that’s IRRELEVANT in context of the argument of being ‘beholden’ to the political directorate.
Anyhow I dun wid that.
“Anyhow, the LOL refers to the fact that either way, retirement or not, that’s IRRELEVANT in context of the argument of being ‘beholden’ to the political directorate.”
perhaps it is more beholden to the money for their retirement fund for the oldies who sell out
“So who exactly advises government on WORKABLE solutions to the many complex problems we have?”
passing exams/tests….and a ton of degrees…is not intelligence, if no one can arrive at workable solutions…
May Nana Amos Wilson, ancestor.. RIP…
African Online Publishing – April 20, 2022 12:43 PM
You wrote: “passing exams/tests….and a ton of degrees…is not intelligence, if no one can arrive at workable solutions…”
I agree. That is why there is a significant difference between being academically qualified and professionally qualified. University exposes you to the tools of the profession. Being academically qualified gives you the opportunity to use the tools to find solutions in the ‘real world’.
Once you have practised using those tools to find solutions in the real world, under the supervision of senior practitioners, then you may apply to formally join the profession and become professionally qualified. With Engineering, the minimum ‘practise time’ after getting your degree is normally 4 years. Once you are professionally qualified, you may offer professionally advice to the public – without supervision.
“Once you have practised using those tools to find solutions in the real world, ”
nothing beats experience and wisdom…
@ David April 20, 2022 9:32 AM
“Isn’t it in the portfolio of BAMC?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Isn’t the same BAMC on the list of SOE’s to be closed down just like the sugar industry?
So what alibi is needed to sink an unprofitable industry other than to run its only sugar-processing factory into the mechanical ground?
The IMF has mandated that there will be no more funding for BoP support, going forward, unless the long-promised structural changes to the Bajan economy are implemented.
We are sure your man Sinckler, now a World Bank guru, will still be supportive of the same recommendations contained in his own Ministerial Statement of December 2013.
The burning question still remains?
What will replace it? Additional ‘Westmore-lands’ or ganga fields?
Without an industry producing molasses can Barbados still claim to be a ‘genuine’ producer of Rum?
Barbados Plans to Fully Privatize Sugar Industry | Umaizi
https://umaizi.com/barbados-plans-to-fully-privatize-sugar-industry/
@ David April 20, 2022 4:49 PM
Is that the same sugar industry Dr. Estwick had even greater plans for?
What ever became of those big plans for the now defunct Andrews Factory earmarked for the production of many megawatts of electricity from the burning of bagasse and river tamarind grown to supplement the feedstock of black belly sheep?
Don’t be surprised if the current bull-shitter discloses a plan to convert those abandoned sugarcane fields into marijuana meadows.
Of course he is well positioned to pronounce definitively on such a measure since he is well acquainted with that ‘budding’ business.
Do not understand this cane harvesting. Did i not hear/read that the supreme leader last year announced that Barbados was getting out/terminating support of the sugar cane industry as it was non economical.
More TALK and NO WALK ?
“What will replace it? Additional ‘Westmore-lands’ or ganga fields?”
lawd..
“More TALK and NO WALK ?”
until they talked to……..and walked it back..
@ Artax
Point taken. But I am referring to the present. Like I said once we could at least depend on VOB occasionally but now it is full blast. I have never seen this pathetic groveling by the media.
Like I said it’s expected of “ governments” in relation to CBC.
This level is the most partisan I personally have seen. They don’t even pretend to touch Mottley.
Artax well said this guy Skinner seems to have convenient memory.The same VOB had moderators like Mr Marshall both Tony and Don as well as Mr Farley, Ms McClean, Mr Corbin,Ms Watson, Ms Hinds Layne, Ms Holder among others were in my view dem supporters and try to influence callers on the call in programs.I wonder if Mr Skinner remembers any of this.According to him he only speaking about now how convenient.He needs to take off his dem blinkers.I gone.
William Skinner April 20, 2022 7:02 PM #: “This level is the most partisan I personally have seen. They don’t even pretend to touch Mottley.”
@ Mr. Skinner
I agree Mottley is given a ‘free pass’ by the press. They were provided with several opportunities to challenge her on issues such as the ‘vaccine scam’ and then MoH Bostic denying he knew anything about it; hastily transition to Republic status without a requisite change in the Constitution; why does the PM need a ‘Chief of Staff;’ Chinese houses; and the list goes on and on and on
But, I honestly CANNOT identify any SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES between how David Thompson WAS treated by the media during his tenure as PM, when compared with how Mottley is currently being treated.
In my opinion, the “level of groveling by the media was (EQUALLY) pathetic.”
Moderators on the call-in-programmes swiftly dismissed criticisms of Thompson, while encouraging critics to ‘give him a chance.’
However, I also agree CBC has been MISUSED by successive BLP and DLP administrations, to push each political party’s propaganda, at the EXPENSE of taxpayers.
During the former DLP administration tenure, for example, the first half an hour of the CBC TV8 Evening News was dedicated to broadcasting events, ceremonies, sports, conferences, etc, which were attended by Ministers or representatives of the party…….. or highlights from their annual conferences and constituency branch meetings.
There was also a segment after the news, called ‘News Extra,’ which was used SPECIFICALLY to broadcast DLP sponsored events; ENTIRE lectures given at the ‘Astor Watts Friday Lunchtime Lectures;’ ENTIRE speeches given by the DLP’s President’s at annual conferences and those given at constituency branch meetings by the respective Parliamentary representatives.
‘The People’s Business’ was also used to spread political propaganda.
We also had to endure repeated broadcasts of interviews of DLP stalwarts and history lectures by ‘Bobby’ Morris.
The BLP could not even BUY advertising time on CBC.
William…don’t blink, or you will miss it..
Source: Nation
Nation Editorial
“During a press conference on Monday at the factory, Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir said that despite the hiccups, this year’s sugar harvest was much further along compared to the same period last year.”
This is one of the things I like about our GoB. No matter what happens, we are always doing better than before. It may or may not be true, but, to me, it sounds like a page out of 1984 by George Orwell.
Have a great day.
@ David April 21, 2022 6:46 AM
Blogmaster, from the ‘above’ editorial we can see that your opposite number in the Fourth Estate does indeed keep a very close eye on what you publish; even if more reactively than proactively (like you).
Don’t you think the same ‘smart’ editor should be calling for a Ministerial response to those pressing queries mentioned in the same newspaper and clearly plagiarized from your own electronic version published ‘Underground’ via the Fifth Estate?
After all, isn’t agriculture being touted as the reviving kid on the bloc(k) to save the Bajan economy from pending implosion and the people from starvation and possible extinction by NCDs?
Even the Bajan baa baa black sheep ought to have made a bleat to the ministerial loudmouth.
@Miller
An editorial is merely an opinion.
It is up to the readers to understand the message conveyed and to develop next material steps.
WELL! WELL !WELL!
Tron and Lawson writing editorials for the Nation now?
Shiite..
Quote…
“Maybe we should again look at maintaining sections of other currently unused factories, whose rusting equipment sits like silent sentinels reminding us of a glorious past.”
~~~~~~~
GLORIOUS PAST…?!!!
…mean like when White people with cork hats and whips herded our grandparents in the fields and factories to produce sugar to fuel their wealth building …. and ‘rewarded’ them with disdain and insults?
What the RH!!!
The ‘NATION’ has ALWAYS been a Trojan horse (Created and sold out by Harold Hoyte and the other traitors) at the root of the the subtle subjugation of Bajans. They do it by sowing self-hate and mis-information that has been our greatest downfall.
No wonder that they PERSISTS in promoting Petra Wicky ….all the way from France.
But they have done a great job so far – DESPITE Bushie’s protestations from the time of the sale for the pieces of silver….
Brass bowls DO tend to get used as topsides…
“GLORIOUS PAST…?!!!
…mean like when White people with cork hats and whips herded our grandparents in the fields and factories to produce sugar to fuel their wealth building …. and ‘rewarded’ them with disdain and insults?
What the RH!!!”
those are always the ones calling themselves “the educated” aka sheeple…with no evidence to prove this…and spreading that lie everywhere.
it takes too much energy to call them anything else or write extensively about them on BU anymore, when there is a much easier way..
One of the ways the factories kept working was by cannibalizing equipment in others that were shut down.
There was an art to keeping them going.
Portvale when it was brand spanking new was based on old reused equipment.
Problem … the scrap metal dealers.
They have stripped every ounce of metal they can get their hands on
I am led to understand that Innotech was allowed to strip Andrews bare for a few dollars.
Doesn’t really matter how good the engineers are or how many engineers are present, there is no way of replacing tired old worn out equipment out of thin air.
John…did i not tell you about a week ago that the sugar sector has not upgraded anything since the 1940s including the way they treat plantation workers…
Cuhdear, what an extraordinary piece of black propaganda into today’s Nation editorial. What can one say? Surprised? Hell no!
The Royal family are due in the Caribbean shortly. However, there is a twist in the tail.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61183853
African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights ReservedApril 21, 2022 3:32 PM
John…did i not tell you about a week ago that the sugar sector has not upgraded anything since the 1940s including the way they treat plantation workers…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not possible for get to 200K tons in a year in 1957 without major capital injections in factory and field equipment.
Since the 70’s the output has fallen which means there was a large spare capacity which kept the industry going.
Once you let the scrap metal dealers loose that spare equipment is gone for a few dollars.
You need to realise a 65 hp tractor is a 65 hp tractor in the 50’s 60’s or 70’s.
If it is kept in good order it will keep working.
A Caterpillar D6 I came and found as a boy still works in the fields doing the same jobs I came in the 60’s and found it doing.
The blade, Rome harrow and sub soil plough is still the same as before.
We don’t see any of the vintage tractors around Barbados which would keep costs down and reduce capital outflow.
They are gone to make a few dollars which has long been spent.
Here is what large mechanical equipment can go through and still work as well as it did the day it was purchased decades ago.
This 1948 caterpillar starts for the first time in 2012 and will do the same as it did in 1948 when it was brand new.
You hear the gas engine (pony mower) first as it it is started and run to get the big diesel going same as it did then the gas supply is cut and as it burns off the last of the gas, the diesel motor kicks into life..
Here is a smaller version, a D2 where the value is being assessed.
John…you are the same one saying new age equipment is available, requring less not more human labor…….to what was around in 1940 and 50s….the sector remains backward and think they are going to revive it with Black labor..
….all young people should be deterred from going anywhere near these parasites…
None of the youngsters have the skill set or imagination to keep old equipment working.
What you call new age equipment still needs an internal combustion engine to run it!!!
But you know that, right?
About two Sundays ago the ocean in Carlisle Bay made a giant flow of rushing waters settling on the land which was occupied by Ram Merchandise and the soon and expected development of the Hyatt Coastal Management are trying to find the reason and are suspecting that the ocean might be reclaiming the land
Social media has been abuzz with the story and the pictures showing a massive overtake of the land
Here is what some on social media have said
Hyatt Ziva is going to make a nice coral reef.Thats where it will end up.In the bottom of Carlisle Bay.
Video capturing sea overtaking land two weeks ago on site for the Hyatt
https://youtu.be/CDHVwv-VWdI
@ angela cox,
Ms Ram may have dodged a bullet and would have received financial compensation.
For those like me who have visited the beautiful capital city of Lisbon in Portugal, we have seen the evidence of the devastation and the after effects of what was the most disastrous tsunami in Europe.
“The tsunami affected waves as far away as Carlisle Bay, Barbados, where waves were said to rise by 1.5 m”. The year was 1755.
I have argued for many years on BU of the rapid erosion of Barbados west and south coastal lands. We are all aware of rising sea levels. This is why it is imperative that our coastal lands should remain undeveloped.
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2011/03/the-10-most-destructive-tsunamis-in-history/
Conspiracy theory
Wondering if an assessment of possible coastal flooding was done and Miss Ram was paid out early.
Crazy? Or were we given a smoke and mirrors show?
TheOGazertsApril 23, 2022 8:21 AM
Conspiracy theory
Wondering if an assessment of possible coastal flooding was done and Miss Ram was paid out early
Xxxxx
Is then why would Mia state that the resumption of the Hyatt would have began early
Noted however the site remains in sleepy mode
When these pictures hit social media can’t see Hyatt continuing the process
In my opinion the excavation project might have done damage to underground pipes leading under the site which might have eroded and cause that massive flow of water
Interesting that this story have been keep.well.under cover
This matter was highlighted in the Nation newspaper this week. The matter is being investigated by authorities.
Would be interesting to hear what outside investigators say and if the Hyatt project should be continued
Climate change can contribute to beach erosion
The west coast is evidence of the ocean reclaiming land
Can’t envision the Hyatt taking such a chance with the lives of people
Angela Cox When it comes to Mother Nature we can never be too sure of what she will do when tested.That was probably happening all along but as you alluded to the area was occupied so it didnt show itself till now. I think its for the best it show itself now than later having a multi storey hotel there collapsing full of people.I think the project should be abandoned but the arrogance and ego of man might not permit.
DavidApril 23, 2022 9:36 AM
This matter was highlighted in the Nation newspaper this week. The matter is being investigated by authorities
Xcccc
One story one story and BU never had any intention to pay attention to the story article showing the damages
Shame
Shame
BU pleads guilty.
@David
Master blender and owner of WIRD, Alexandre Gabriel,…. isn’t this the same person competitors claim blocks the designation of Barbados Rum.
@NO
His name was mentioned regarding challenges with rum and geofencing.
———-
https://barbadosunderground.net/2021/08/27/turning-bajan-rum-into-what/comment-page-1/
Hard ears yuh won’t hear latter yuh feel
Nature reclaims
https://youtu.be/YsoOPrfEFeE
@David, this comment is related to the land erosion and a possible inside deal for Ms Ram to move?: “This matter was highlighted in the Nation newspaper this week. The matter is being investigated by authorities.” That’s an amazing story on several fronts.
First up I don’t see how ANY investigation could or would be ALLOWED to validate such an inside deal because frankly that would be the BIIGGEST corruption/conflict of interest matter in Barbados’ history since HARP, Pele and Stokes combined because SEVERAL lawyers, consultants and civil servants would have had to know of such an undertaking. So that’s a WOW, WTF! Anyhow this is my lovely Bim and anything goes at times!
Further anyhow tho, several years ago (almost another lifetime now it seems) I recall serious reclamation and coastal erosion protection being undertaken some few hundred yards north in the area of the Carlisle House and Car park/ BS&T HQ with COW Construction doing the then interesting looking ‘groynes’ to defend against the on rushing wave erosion… so whatever has become of that? Did that stand the test of time and 2) with folks in China, Japan and Mid East creating entire manmade island communities and otherwise pushing back the sea on some coastal areas is it to be understood that there is no ability to ‘artificially’ halt mother nature’s erosion there?
@Dee Word
The investigation has to do with the source of the water on the property.
@ Angela Cox,
No sandy beaches; no tourism.
Don’t worry the man said the sand will return. LOL!
If you look at the topography of Barbados, it would not be an exaggeration to make a claim that Barbados will lose thirty percent of its territory within the next thirty years. The west coast is as flat as a pancake and vulnerable to be rising sea levels. The west coast should never have been developed. As for Mia’s boast that she would like to see a corridor of hotels built on the west coast with an influx of 80,0000 aliens. These are pipe dreams of a deranged thinker.
TLSNApril 23, 2022 10:35 AM As for Mia’s boast that she would like to see a corridor of hotels built on the west coast with an influx of 80,0000 aliens. These are pipe dreams of a deranged thinker
Lol
Xxxxxx
DavidApril 23, 2022 10:33 AM
@Dee Word
The investigation has to do with the source of the water on the property
Where would all that massive water come from have you taken a serious look at the video and the massive water that turn that area into a lake
Seriously bro what are you drinking
And up from the ground came a bubbling stream….shit that is, raw sewage.
These people need an Engineer.
Residents in Coverley, Christ Church, on the section along Pilgrim Road, are planning to send out an SOS in the neighbourhood as a mysterious underground flow of water threatens to undermine some properties.
At least four properties so far which were under construction at Boeing Avenue have been affected, with a section of one being submerged in water.
A couple whose well has collapsed said they have had water around their land pumped off repeatedly but “in a matter of minutes” it fills up again.
The land was once owned by the National Housing Corporation.”
FrankApril 23, 2022 11:34 AM
And up from the ground came a bubbling stream….shit that is, raw sewage.
Xxx
Bet Mother nature took.with it some of the shit pumped into.the sea right at the underdeveloped Hyatt site
More than likely sewage from the densely packed housing development.
I’ll look at contour maps in the area but seem to remember doing that exercise when they were making the entry to The Villages and they were just digging and digging to get to rock.
That area I seem to remember thinking was riddled in underground caves..
Probably raised it on here too..
Developer looks like he got greedy.
Reminders of Arch Cot in Brittons Hill
Govt gives permission to build homes on top of caves
Those homes should be condemn and govt reimburse the homeowners for all financial spent during the building and permit process
Obviously that land was not properly surveyed and check.out for any weakness
The Hyatt likewise might be in danger of being involved in system of goverance that can caused potential failure and damage to its project because of lack of due diligence
Most of the time headless incompetent chickens are in charge of these projects
The cave in the photo is just above the airport in Gemswick/Penny Hole at about 160 feet above sea level around the Arch Cot Level.
Would not surprise me if that was how Penny Hole got its name.
… like Buzzard Hole up by Aunt Esther in St. Thomas.
My guess is the Airport is built on filled caves.
This cave occurred when sea level stopped falling (geologic time) for a while and rainwater which is slightly acidic (HCO3) making its way to the sea underground pooled on at sea level underground and ate away the calcium carbonate.
I’ve seen other examples at Mapps and Golden Grove and all around Barbados.
Indian Castle at Mile & a Quarter is a fantastic example.
Animal Flower cave is another example as is Spout Hole just to the west of North Point..
https://imgur.com/BzJhqtK
Arch cot is a story that deals with corruption at the highest levels
Money being passed from hand to hand
Lives gone and people in charge of issuing the permits to build on insecure landv are still in govt positions some might even be in Parliament
Some thing of that sort happened to my family govt of Barbados would have hell to pay
It is a shame when the party you support was in office it didn’t bring anybody to justice seeing that you are certain there was corruption.
#ntsh
DavidApril 23, 2022 2:33 PM
It is a shame when the party you support was in office it didn’t bring anybody to justice seeing that you are certain there was corruption
Xxx
Doesn’t have to dig long far and wide to understand the roots of all this problem
Obviously the occupants didn’t build the apt complex
Then who gave the permits and the final authority to build
If the exploration was done with due diligence the problems and weakness of the land would have been found out
If so was done then the final decision lays in the hands of govt officials
The decisions of weakness must have been overlooked replace by favours in order for the complex to be built
Hard to understand a building place on soil that is evident having weakness for fatal failures when officials say a through investigation of the land was done
The story in it selves show failures incompetence and shades of corruption
@🐇/🐰
Hoping that you can give a more detailed explanation/description of this water issue.
On this matter, your expertise is valued.
Check this book.
https://www.amazon.com/GEOLOGY-BARBADOS-account-geological-features/dp/9768077298
Check this book.
GEOLOGY OF BARBADOS. A brief account of the island’s origin and its major geological features. Softcover – 1 January 1999
by Hans G. Machel (Author)
Bizzy says sun power can save country US$200 million yearly
https://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/2022/04/23/bizzy-says-sun-power-can-save-country-us200-million-yearly/
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/seizing-land-to-make-way-for-solar-farms-could-worsen-deep-and-troubling-farming-crisis/ar-AATLLLN?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=W069
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/video/spain-s-solar-energy-crisis-62-000-people-bankrupt-after-investing-in-solar-panels/vi-AAU82iS?cvid=4dd9576473c448b684984a5f2000fa12&ocid=winp1taskbar
The sad demise of Barbados infrastructure continues at high speed. Is there anyone surprised or concerned?
https://youtu.be/fE0_hLSoDDY?list=PLf0Sp7jJwZzuel11j_f7OceoqlpFIi6-n
Bridges in the Scotland Bridge are a perennial problem, the new thing is the quantity that have deteriorated.
Heavy traffic is an issue but the unstable land and rains determine whether any repairs will hold.
The sand pit is the foundation of the construction industry and there was never any control of heavy trucks into and out of St. Andrew.
When I used to ride a motor cycle around the island the bridge at Bawdens was knocked out and to get around it the route was past Belleplaine Plantation through Babylon and out to the junction with Walkers to River/Rock Hall road.
The Bridge at Springvale was also out of commission for ages until major works with gabion structures to deal with heavy water flow were put in.
The situation with bridges is as old as the hills.
Last year was a heavy rainfall year and it is looking like this year will see lots of rain, maybe God forbid, hurricanes too.
Just look at this google earth photo of the area and you will see where the sewage is being generated — The Villages.
It travels underground to the sea.
…. just like the sewage from the areas around the desal plant travels to the sea … underground.
Kind of like falling off a horse having to find the cause.
The solution is obvious!!
Isn’t it?
https://imgur.com/i8AMuzO
The development at Coverly, (lots of politicians involved) was there first and the GOB through the TCPO gave the developer permission to divide the agricultural lands into lots for sale to the public.
Certain requirements would be present and once the homeowner met those requirement he/she would receive a Certificate of Compliance.
Later on, the developer of “The Villages” was given permission to subdivide agricultural lands for sale to the general Public.
Certain requirements as to sewage, drainage etc. would have been made mandatory but once those requirements were met, a Certificate of Compliance would be issued.
At the time of the arrival of “The Villages”, the ABC highway determined the boundary between the Agricultural belt and the Urban Corridor.
Clearly it got special dispensation from Government …. more politicians involved.
It was as I understand it financed by a man from Florida now deceased who got himself in trouble with the IRS.
This looks to me like the development was undertaken with an Environmental Impact Assessment which was flawed or worse, did not exist.
The question is, who gets to fix the problem?
My first guess would be the GOB because it gave permissions to develop the agricultural lands into residential lots and the requirements it imposed, once they were met, leaves it exposed.
Let’s say the GOB decided to tap into the wastewater and sewage from the Villages at Coverly and treat/desal the water appearing in Boeing Avenue, like is being done at Spring Garden.
It could pay out the house owners and put down a desal plant.
However, if anyone in the Villages had COVID, the virus would appear in the water the new desal plant would be processing.
Since no water treatment plant removes all of the impurities present at its input, it follows that which ever district the water was supplied would see a rise in COVID cases because as we all have seen over time, COVID is also waterborne like almost 90% of contagious diseases.
I see Hepatitis is an issue worldwide, also in Barbados.
Did you know that some types are also waterborne?
https://www.nationnews.com/2021/06/30/the-a-b-and-c-of-hepatitishe-pa-ti-tis/
“Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver that is usually transmitted via the consumption of food and water which has been contaminated by the faeces of an HAV infected person. This disease is most common in countries where people lack access to safe clean drinking water and good sanitisation practices.
Hepatitis E (HEV)
This fifth type of viral hepatitis is most prevalent in South Asia and East Asia, even though cases of HEV can be found worldwide. Transmission is usually faecal-oral when water that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person is consumed.”
The problem of underground water is not located at the Villages Coverley. It is adjacent to the development.
@John April 24, 2022 2:43 PM “The question is, who gets to fix the problem? My first guess would be the GOB.”
By the GOB do you mean we the over burdened taxpayers?
But why?
We did not/do not enjoy any of the profits from the “development.”
Can’t you get to get the dead Florida man to pay up? We know that he did not take any money to heaven with him where the streets are paved with gold and earthly money is completely unnecessary, so where on earth is the money?
Don’t you agree?
@Grenville Phillips “Normally repairs happen during the planting and growing seasons, to avoid any shut-downs for repairs during the crop reaping time. Evidently, something has gone terribly wrong.”
I won’t attempt to argue engineering with an engineer.
But I was born and raised in “the middle of a can piece” that is in a rural community with sugar cane plantations and small sugar cane farmers all around. My parents frew sugar cane un until the beginning of the 21st century, my dad worked in a sugar factory for decades [not as an engineer] and I can’t tell you the numbers of time the factory “brek” putting the other workers out of work for a week or more while the engineers fixed. I also can’t tell you the number of times their cut canes remained on the ground losing weight, losing sweetness, and losing value while the engineers attempted fixes. Especially at this time of year when it is so dry prolonged breaks at the factory could cause small farmers to lose their profits for the year.
It has been a perennial and costly problem
@Bush Tea “Imagine that there are NO ENGINEERS even employed in this industry.”
I wonder what would happen if the restaurant industry decided not to employ any chefs or cooks?
Cuhdear, you should really revert to your original pseudonym. It was much simpler, and much more appropriate.
With 270,000 other BBs of your ilk who rationalize matters with such simple mindedness, it is little wonder that Tom Dick and Harriette beat a path to Brassbados to make their fortune….
Some crook turns up with a highfaluting plot that clearly violates the Laws of Barbados (AS THEY APPLY TO LOCALS).
Somehow, government (which ever shiite party is in power) finds a way to get into bed with the crook, while bull-shitting Simple Simons about how good the bovine stuff is for us all.
Then when the shit hits the fan – with the crook gone on to greener pastures and the politicians quietly enjoying the spoils of the ‘deals’, we complain about who should ‘pay’ for our sheeplike ignorance.
How about an independent investigation by EXTERNAL authorities leading to prosecution of EVERYONE who have broken ANY law in the course of their official duties?
How about an IN DEPTH exposé of the ANNUAL findings by the Auditor General – that leads to prosecution of EVERYONE who is in ANY way connected to violations of the Law?
How about someone actually DOCUMENTING promises made by these political demons, and then continuously COMPARING results with the shiite promises that they keep comforting wunna BBs with?
Steupsss…
Problem is that almost all of the lotta simple minded BBs are EXACTLY like the crooked politicians. Given the opportunity, they would do the SAME shiite, so we find it hard to condemn them. .. but not stinking Bushie…
In addition, Bajans are much too focused on grabbing at a few of the scraps that fall off the political table from the ill-gotten pieces of silver, … to be honestly concerned about RIGHTEOUSNESS (doing the RIGHT things) and justice.
So our asses are destined to land EXACTLY where we deserve to be……
@William Skinner April 20, 2022 8:06 AM “After all we suddenly saw the COVID deaths jump by 43 just so.”
When Covid is done, and none of us know yet when that will be, there will be a massive worldwide jump in the numbers. Understand that not everybody in Barbados or the world reported their illness or the cause of their family deaths to the “authorities” although the fact of death was reported. Surely you know that very few people are traumatized when their 80 something or 90 something grandma or grandma dies. So the old man or the old lady dies, the doctors note the fact of death. Post mortems are rarely done in such circumstances. The assumption is that they died of that always fatal disease O-L-D. Grandma or grandpa is buried. End of. The only way to get the true numbers will be to compare deaths in 2018 and 2019 with deaths in 2020 and 2021 and 2022 and 202??? I heard a report recently that India is doing just that, and that the deaths may be 5 times the currently reported numbers. India has about 20% of the world’s population. Imagine the explosion in the number of Covid deaths when all of the reports are done. Covid is likely as bad as the 1918 ‘flu.
@Bush Tea “How about an independent investigation by EXTERNAL authorities leading to prosecution of EVERYONE who have broken ANY law? How about an IN DEPTH exposé of the ANNUAL findings by the Auditor General – that leads to prosecution of EVERYONE who is in ANY way connected to violations of the Law?”
I agree with this. Doesn’t everybody?
Do you think that I enjoy being overtaxed in order to enrich local or foreign crooks?
Stupsssee. No.
I’d much rather use the saved tax money to take my boyfriend for a skiing holiday in Switzerland.
@David April 20, 2022 11:32 AM “David Ellis was retired when he accepted the offer from government?”
Maybe so.
But it is not not clear to me Why he was hired or What he is doing for our tax dollars or When his contract will end?
I agree with this. Doesn’t everybody?
~~~~~~~
Well cuhdear!!! why don’t you say it … OVER AND OVER… and let us get it done…?
instead of focusing on a dead crook from Florida, who only did what those of his Ilk are programmed to do?
The PROBLEM is with the local political SCABS who are the JUDASES that are leading us to ruin.
This is why they hate Caswell’s ass….
ALSO, WRT the deaths following COVID….
You don’t even get the half of the real issue yet….
Bushie has been hinting this for a while now, …but David ‘playing that he don’t get it…”
The REAL problem with Covid is not ‘COVID’, but the completely IDIOTIC global response to it.
As a result, the REAL impact will make the last two years look like Eden.
The bunch of misguided GLOBAL Jackasses did the following…
– Locked people away in their homes for months on end FROM… exercise, exposure to the environment, proper medical supervision
– Generated enormous STRESS and FEAR with stupid lies and overplay of a particular narrative designed by Big Pharma
– Ended sports activities so that even the fittest of the fittest now became susceptible to the stress and decline
– Insisted on EVERYONE being injected with an unknown and unproven EXPERIMENTAL therapy…
– Separated families even at the time of the death of loved ones..
– Destroyed livelihoods of small people while FACILITATING the SUPER wealthy’s assets to grew by 1000%
So now instead of about 10 million of the world’s most frail people dying in two years under NATURAL circumstances, we shall see deaths in the hundreds of millions, of ALL ages, over the next 10 years.
This has ALREADY started.
In the US OVERALL deaths are up by an UNPRECEDENTED 40% pre-pandemic times.
Check today’s paper where the Heart and Stroke Foundation is blaming an increase in heart issues on ‘COVID’…… Lotta Shiite!!
These Heart and stroke issues accelerated AFTER we started vaccines…. it is the covid RESPONSE at fault…
But let us ignore this reality and hope that it goes away….
@Artax April 20, 2022 9:44 PM “However, I also agree CBC has been MISUSED by successive BLP and DLP administrations, to push each political party’s propaganda, at the EXPENSE of taxpayers. During the former DLP administration tenure, for example, the first half an hour of the CBC TV8 Evening News was dedicated to broadcasting events, ceremonies, sports, conferences, etc, which were attended by Ministers or representatives of the party.”
So true.
I assume that ANY “NEWS” coming from CBC is government propaganda.
I got so tired of CBC that I haven’t watched its evening news for decades. I remember when every newscast started with “Today Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford…” I had nothing against Sandy who was at St. Alban’s with 2 of my siblings, but, oh Lord, surely a station can begin the evening news with something other than “Today Prime Minister X…”
Stupssseee!!!!
I have not watched since. I have not watched CBC news during the Arthur, Thompson Stuart or Mottley administrations. I hope that I have not left out anybody.
But I do listen to the sportscasts on the radio after the “news” is done. And I do listen to health and music programs. But “NEWS” Nah!
@Bush Tea “Check today’s paper where the Heart and Stroke Foundation is blaming an increase in heart issues on ‘COVID”
I will continue to take my heart advice from a real-real heart doctor, one of our bright young ones raised just a few gaps from me.
Not taking no medical advice from an anonymous blogger named Bush Tea.
Did the doctor blame Covid 19 directly or the adverse environment caused by the pandemic for heart patients.
@🐇/🐰
“Since no water treatment plant removes all of the impurities present at its input, it follows that which ever district the water was supplied would see a rise in COVID cases because as we all have seen over time, COVID is also waterborne like almost 90% of contagious diseases.”
I see that you have called my name again. A next dash towards the old rabbit hole.
Let us agree that a water treatment plant does not remove all impurities, it does not immediately follow that it does not remove all covid.
I will believe that our drinking water is free of. Covid until I hear otherwise.
Oh hell! I have not watched CBC evening news for years either. Too much political grandstanding for me. I can pick and choose and scan with a newspaper.
Bushie gave NO medical advise…
That was ‘blogging advice’ to let us kick some REAL butt …instead of fighting with windmills….
@Bush Tea ” Locked people away in their homes for months on end FROM… exercise, exposure to the environment, proper medical supervision.”
Truthfully Barbados’ lockdowns were not as harsh as those in other places. Throughout Covid we had the freedom to go in our yards and gardens, sit in our galleries/verandahs, on our front and back steps, to work, play, catch some sun, garden, do some yard work, tidy-up de place etc. Don’t know why the then Minister used the arcane legal term curtilage, stupse!!! I am fairly good with words and even I had never heard that one before, however I figured out that it had something to do with curt/short and curtail/stop so I got the message “stay in ya yard” even though I never studied Latin.
Our doctors, clinics and pharmacies were not closed either, although “yes” surgeries, except for emergencies were delayed because of risk of infection in such circumstances. I’ve heard though that the doctors/nurses/lab technicians/orderlies etc. graduates of our much maligned schools ans society are hard at work trying to catch up. These professionals are not monsters who like to see people suffer. They are our loving, hard working daughters and sons.
@TLSN April 23, 2022 7:24 AM “For those like me who have visited the beautiful capital city of Lisbon in Portugal, we have seen the evidence of the devastation and the after effects of what was the most disastrous tsunami in Europe.”
Not really. A bigger one occurred about 12,000 years ago, gave the west coast of Norway, and the east coasts of Scotland and Northern England their jagged coasts.
Cuhdear BajanApril 25, 2022 7:38 AM
@John April 24, 2022 2:43 PM “The question is, who gets to fix the problem? My first guess would be the GOB.”
By the GOB do you mean we the over burdened taxpayers?
But why?
We did not/do not enjoy any of the profits from the “development.”
Can’t you get to get the dead Florida man to pay up? We know that he did not take any money to heaven with him where the streets are paved with gold and earthly money is completely unnecessary, so where on earth is the money?
Don’t you agree?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So long as the developers are doing what they agreed to do as specified by the GOB, then the fault lies with the GOB for not asking for more on behalf of the people they represent.
If the developers are not fulfilling their side of the bargain, their asses should be soaked … no pun intended.
The GOB could prevail on the developers to rectify the problem and maybe they would if it meant protecting the image of their product but other than that, the problem is squarely in the GOB’s lap.
And yes by the GOB I mean the taxpayers overburdened or not.
That is the price they pay to get the Government they deserve.
The Greenland experience in the mid 90’s taught me alot about incompetence and graft at high levels and the years in court from 1998 have made me an expert.
We getting some good rain up here in Christ Church.
so far 81 parts at me so looking like a 1 inch rain at least.
If the Villages at Coverly getting this rain and the run off going in their wells, the folks at Coverly are going to see an increase in water flowing under their homes depending on where they are located.
I really need to look at the drainage wells from the 1951 aerial photos and the basal contours from the 1982 Geology map, predict where the flow will go and then verify it is happening where I reckon it should be happening if I am right.
But busy on other matters for the moment.
Definitely an interesting exercise.