Recently John A sent a couple interesting articles to the blogmaster that served as a reminder what a future state will possibly be for the next generation of Barbadian, the so-called millennial.
Despite our rich investment in formal education there is a palpable lack of cognitive awareness by Barbadians to give weight to what is important. A case in point- it required Prime Minister Mia Mottley repeating what had been stated by others for years AND what was explained in NIS actuarial reports since 2013 for the majority of Barbadians to understand the implications for pensioners. For Mottley to tackle the problem of the NIS fund which poses a risk to her government’s popularity was enough to jolt Barbadians from a comatose state.
In 2007/8 the global financial crisis had the effect of decimating incomes and investment portfolios across all strata in our key tourism and international business markets. Local financial talking heads have suggested that the Barbados economy is to fully recover from the hit. Isn’t it ironic 15 years later our key productive sectors have not changed appreciably? In fact the current investment project pipeline is congested with tourism related projects.
Now we have John A’s articles which reveal a worrying trend in the UK and US- generational wealth of millennials in the two countries has stagnated. Although the majority of Barbadians are ignorant to the implications of this developing trend, there is a simple truth, the US and UK are our two significant source markets for tourism, foreign direct investment AND remittances.
The blogmaster challenges you and you to read the two articles to appreciate what a future state may look like.
It is fair to suggest in the absence of similar analysis the same trend applies to Barbados. Barbados is one of the countries the spiral of the economy of the post 2006/7 period is yet to experience a bounce, subsequent catastrophic events have not helped. Recently the government announced that in the face of economic uncertainty Barbados will renew the IMF agreement. We should have time to unpack the implication of the decision, however, discerning BU regulars are fully aware of the root issues.
It does not give the blogmaster pleasure to state what should be obvious. Our current economic path is plotted to arrive at a destination to nowhere fast. We continue to try to induce economic performance from a ‘not fit for purpose’ economic model. One does not have to posses the nous of Nostradamus to predict the outcome.
No surprises here. I did post a couple of years back that excessive housing costs are a crippler to an economy, destroying discretionary income and thus economic growth.
In the USA and UK, this derives drom multiple factors. A shortage of housing stock, for which a comparison is missing in both articles, large hedge and pension fund investment in the “easy” market and, particularly in the UK, a rush of foreign money from questionable sources, over the past fufteen to twenty years, all contribute.
Remember the furor at the commencement of the Russian / Ukraine war and references to Russian funds in UK property?
Dirty money spends way above regular market values to become legit.
That obviously inflates the market.
However, underlying much of this is an over concentration of productive jobs in China and India, compared to other countries.
One may wax lyrical about comparative advantage and those best suited to produce certain products, however, jobs lost in a country will still undermine that country.
Compounding all of this is the intrinsic change in life and economics brought by technological advancements.
Many jobs are either changed forever, requiring a whole new set of skills, or obsolete.
The clincher is that these changes would be easier to adapt to, if housing costs were substantially lower.
As it is, survival becomed difficult.
To avoid societal collapse, countries must rein in corporate greed and tax corporations adequately, to fund the necessary drvelopment programs.
Again, as I said ages ago, there is importance in the non aligned movement of smaller and lesser developed nations in advocating for policy direction, to achieve the required change.
Without such measures, societal upheaval will threaten the very wealth that greed has created.
A society is a pyramid, without the willing contribution of the working class, there can be no wealth.
It is impossible.
And that is as gentle a scenario as one can describe, of societal breakdown.
Without even bringing civil unrest into the equation.
On a point related to recent discussions, this is why the whole lifedtyle culture of work and retirement needs to be considered as a whole, not retirement as a separate and distinct category of life.
I strongly urge thought on the four day week, later retirement and all this entails.
Why wait until sixty-seven to enjoy some of life, when one can either build more skills, be entreprenurial, or simple enjoy more of your younger days, along the way, before your bones creak?
I would rather work four days a week and work until seventy-two, than the current standard and worse, what may come.
We need a paradigm shift in culture.
I did say it before, I say it again.
Productivity is not defined by occupying a seat.
Knowledge, skills, efficiency define it.
@ David
Also remember here we had a 10 year wage freeze when inflation was running on average at 3% a year. At the end of the 10 year period $100 would only of been worth around $67 in real terms. Our case would therefore be even worst for the said milenials had such a study been done here.
@John A
Agreed, justification was given by government and local talking heads the freeze was integral to an internal devaluation to protect the peg. What does is say?
Health Vs Wealth
People should get out of their head and into their body more.
Sport Science Vs Medical Science
As good as the first sip of your morning coffee and desert after dinner: Contemporary Pilates with a pinch of Slings Myofascial Training to kickoff and unwind your day.
For an uplifting start treat yourself with Good Morning Flow.
And then wind down body and mind with Good Night Flow.
Inspiration in Movement: Good Morning Flow
Inspiration in Movement: Good Night Flow
Comment received via Quick Note:
“This situation has been the issue for years for upwardly mobile young people in B’dos. At a party about 15 years ago, professionals who included a young realtor explained the limitations of salaries & cost of living trigger their option to buy SUVs & if possible a piece of the rock on terms. No one had plans to build in near future. They were in the mid 20s to early 30s”.
You need to get a bird’s eye view of Barbados to appreciate the extent real estate development has destroyed its future prospects.
Mortgage defaults will occur, real estate prices will fall as the market develops a glut of cheap properties the banks want sold to recoup as much of their outlay as possible.
The land will be useless to provide the renewable resources it had always done.
The sooner realize that construction is a dead end activity the better it will be for us.
You could look at the bright side, the descent of millennials into poverty will be accompanied by falling housing prices.
@John
Agree with the sub-point that it is in the interest of the establishment to maintain real estate values. There is a lot depending on it for some prominent actors in Barbados.
This is what I never could understand- how is it that the pyramid that is an economy is not recognised. Without that recognition, the economy collapses. Current vampire approaches are unsustainable. We all know that you cannot get blood out of a stone.
Duuuuh!
@ David
Poor governance was the problem for lack of raises over that 10 year period. So for example, instead of working on improving the efficiency of government collection via BRA and customs, they chose to stifle the economy to the point of no recovery. When I say no recovery I speak to that in real terms. So the Bajan lost over a third of his buying power in that decade and when you add the inflation of 2022 to that you can understand he or she, is getting close to having his true income cut nearly in half over the last 15 years. Just stop and think on that for a minute before you go any further!
Now based on that position what is the chance of any of us recovering to where our buying power can catch up with the cost of living in 2022?
@John A
What about the supply side of the economy? We can manage as efficiently as we should but if we are not earning enough foreign exchange to pay the bills what next?
Johnny
Those real estate economics have hardly been applicable to Barbados.
Of course, your personal and planter class strict orientation limit you from approaching issues of equitable distribution of land.
Johnny
You can’t argue that policy served to reduce equity, on the one hand.
And on the other, don’t reward inflation to increases in equity, unless it’s stagflation being considered. And there is no indication of that in your statements.
John A
@ Pacha
Yes I would agree with that. The problem we face is that we have slipped so far back in real terms that a recovery to say 2007 living standards and income as of today, would take an increase in personal income that basically is unachievable.
Don’t want to get into the politics of it but just looking at the reality to us a people today. Also the 2 articles speak to our biggest tourism markets so what does their reality mean to our industry going forward?
This may be interesting.
DavidSeptember 18, 2022 10:25 AM
@John A
What about the supply side of the economy? We can manage as efficiently as we should but if we are not earning enough foreign exchange to pay the bills what next?
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It is the informal economy that keeps us afloat, drugs and money laundering and all the inflows are in foreign exchange!!
The problem is few get to access these sources of income and if they challenge to become participants their existence in this mortal world is threatened.
GOB prefers to get its cut from facilitating the money laundering and this produces the foreign exchange.
I got my first job in 1980.
To buy a car I had to put my name on a list at the garage selling the car I wanted and wait my turn to purchase one when the shipments came.
Back then it was a function of the country’s access to foreign exchange.
Most people worked hard in visible definable jobs targeted at earning foreign exchange.
Today, the country seems to have unfettered access to foreign exchange yet all the visible economic activities which provided employment have fallen,
The unemployment rate is rarely an issue and is unknown yet many people are unemployed.
Babylon A Fall Down
Panic in BU
BU seems to be Doom and Gloom obsessed, especially with the End of World Revelations Bible Posse and their religion and spirituality thinking and Financial Experts worried about money done.
Reset
It is better to savor everything in life and dwell on the how and why you do what you do.
Akobi: First Born S(u)n / Somi
It’s been overcast and somewhat grey but
Blue’s not the color that I’ll wear today
I want some sparkle and I want something warm
Brewing inside me is a lover’s storm
They say you are the Firstborn Sun
I’m wondering could you be the one
Akobi okunrin jekin jalayonfere akoko
Akobi okunrin jekin jololufere tooto
I’ll wear sunglasses if you ask me to
Kick off my galoshes and walk bare with you
Our heat against the earth, your whisper in mine
What’s the true color of a rainbow at nighttime?
They say you are the Firstborn Sun
I’m wondering could you be the one
Akobi okunrin jekin jalayonfere akoko
Akobi okunrin jekin jololufere tooto*
meaning
The birth of a man allows time to pass
A man’s birth makes him a true lover
The bubble will burst sooner than later!!
@ David
The fx will always be our challenge. Personally I feel we can do more for ourselves to reduce fx demand especially in the areas of alternative energy and food.
@John A
There is always room to stop leakage/wastage but it wouldn’t be enough to save us.
September 18, 2022 10:47 AM
Babylon A Fall Down
Panic in BU
BU seems to be Doom and Gloom obsessed, especially with the End of World Revelations Bible Posse and their religion and spirituality
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I don’t get the impression that GP is particularly unhappy about the end of the world, in fact quite the opposite.
He welcomes it.
No Doom and Gloom obsession with him, in fact he seems very, very happy and rejoices daily.
Is it possible to discuss a topic for five minutes before resorting to discussing commenters?
#jesush
Grow to rh up!
@ David
We need to make a greater effort in reducing our FX demand. Alternative energy and agriculture are 2 low hanging fruit that we have not exploited as yet.
@John A
We must of food and fuel make up significant foreign exchange outflow.
When money done who will lose out most
Blessed are the meek blah blah.. blah blah
Blessed are the poor blah blah.. blah blah
Blessed are the peacemakers blah blah.. blah blah
Blessed are the pure in heart blah blah.. blah blah
Blessed are the poor in spirit blah blah.. blah blah
[Paid] Problem fixers in life would say
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
There’s not a problem that I can’t fix ‘Cause I can do it in the mix
Akobi: First Born S (u) n – QB’s Hot Mix Radio Edit
Akobi: First Born S (u) n – QB’s RainbowAtNightTime DUB Maxd
@ David
Yes they are 2 major ones. The things is we need to look at this whole fx thing differently. We need to say to ourselves A USD SAVED IS ONE EARNED. Then go aggressively after the areas we can reduce our FX demand.
Sorry about the typo David didn’t mean to call you Davis. Lol
Hah!!
Wipe clean before kisses 💋
Mr. Clean 🧼
1) “The Song of Songs 🎶
2) “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for thy love is better than wine.
3 Because of the savor of thy good ointments, thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee.
4) Draw me, we will run after thee. The king hath brought me into his chambers.” “We will be glad and rejoice in thee; we will remember thy love more than wine; the upright love thee.”
5) “I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6 Look not upon me because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me. My mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon; for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?”
8) “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.”
11) “We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.”
12)” While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna in the vineyards of Engedi.”
15) “Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.”
16 “Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant. Also our bed is green.
17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
I completely agree with John A’s analysis. Our standard of living is much lower than before 2008 because since then we have had no growth but lots of inflation.
Will the situation ever get better? Of course it won’t. We are slipping further and further down the HDI scale, so that in three generations we will probably be off the scale altogether and counted among the animal kingdom. The welfare state makes people lazy and stupid. The masses lead a sweet life as lazy civil servants at the expense of our noble businessmen.
We all know that this crisis of society and the virus of laziness entered the minds of the masses in 2008. Just in the year the DLP seized power.
Tron, year 1 NR
We have a fortune tied up in vehicles.
We have over 100,000 vehicles in Barbados.
How much FX was needed to buy all these cars?
How much FX is needed on a yearly basis to purchase replacement vehicles?
How much FX is used in maintaining these vehicles?
How much FX is used to import the fossil fuels which make them go?
Let’s say one vehicle needs $250.00USD per month to keep it running, fuel and maintenance
250 x 100K x 12 = $30 million USD a year.
Let’s say each vehicle cost $20,000USD.
So, roughly speaking, we have in excess of $2 billion USD tied up in vehicles which require $30 million USD per year to keep running.
Some of that will earn FX, but not much.
There will be jobs created and the insurance sector will profit.
… and guess what, import duty at 100% means another $2 billion with the GOB.
Are we shooting ourselves in the foot?
📈⬆⬆️❤️ 🥰
Jump 4 Luv
@ 🚘
“We have over 100,000 vehicles in Barbados”
Xxxx
ban the import of all vehicles except utility vehicles, heavy earthmoving machines and agriculture machinery to save dwindling foreign exchange reserves.
@ John September 18, 2022 1:12 PM
Why are prisoners, unemployed and all other freeloaders not required to do social work? Taken together, that’s at least 75000 people. They could build cars and buses for free.
I would also introduce a National Labour Service for school leavers. They should do two years of field work on the plantation to strengthen our domestic agriculture, and also upgrade the roads and repair the water pipes.
When Barbados was the gem of the British Empire, such labour arrangements were commonplace.
We cannot ‘talk’ about banning the importation of vehicles for personal use, without first discussing the implementation of a RELIABLE, EFFICIENT public transportation system.
People living in the Pine, for example, are disadvantaged because Pine/Wildey mini buses don’t service that route after 7 PM.
They would have to catch a Silver Hill/Gall Hill route taxi and ‘walk in,’…… or wait for the Transport Board’s 9:15 or 11:15 PM Edey Village service, if a bus is available…… and 12:05 AM.
There are other routes that are not serviced by Transport Board buses, such as Bush Hall, Forde’s Road/Rendezvous, where ZRs and mini buses don’t ‘run after a certain time,’ thereby forcing persons to either pay a taxi, or catch a bus that passes close to their districts and walk long distances to their homes.
Could you imagine someone who lives in Venture, St. John, catching the ‘first bus’ to work for 8 AM; leaving work at 5 PM and having to wait in the Fairchild Street terminal 3 or 4 hours for a Martin’s Bay bus?
A reliable, efficient transport system contributes to an increase in economic productivity, which could be reasonably measured as the output of goods and services.
@ Imports.
Skyrocketing inflation has become a major problem across the world. Being a largely import-based economy, the government of Nepal has imposed a ban on ten luxury items till mid-July to minimise rapidly depleting foreign exchange. The ban is applicable on all imported liquors, toys, cars and vans and motorcycles with an engine capacity of more than 250 cc, mobile sets worth more than $600, colour television sets larger than 32 inches, diamond, cigarettes and tobacco products, playing cards, and ready-to-eat snacks.
According to the statistics given by Nepal Rastra Bank, gross foreign exchange reserves have decreased by 18.5% to $9.58 billion in mid-March 2022 from $11.75 billion in mid-July 2021. The rapid decline in foreign currency has propelled the government to stem the flow of foreign currency draining out of the country.
@ EFFICIENT public transportation system. 🤫
“A reliable, efficient transport system contributes to an increase in economic productivity, which could be reasonably measured as the output of goods and services.”
Xxxx
BDS
The GDP figure in 2021 was $4,901 million, Barbados is number 159 in the ranking of GDP of the 196 countries that were publish. The absolute value of GDP in Barbados rose $211 million with respect to 2020. The GDP per capita of Barbados in 2021 was $17,034, $715 higher than in 2020, it was $16,319.
Barbados Registered Motor Vehicles data is updated yearly, averaging 99.000 Units from Dec 2005 to 2015, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 110.000 Units in 2015. No updated data available.
GDP in Ethiopia is expected to reach 112.00 USD Billion by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ethiopia GDP is projected to trend around 115.00 USD Billion in 2023, according to econometric models.
The current population of Ethiopia is 121,248,413 as of Sunday, September 18, 2022, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
Ethiopia Registered Motor Vehicles data is updated yearly, averaging 132.000 Units from Dec 2005 to 2015, with 11 observations.
The data reached an all-time high of 155.000 Units in 2015. No updated data available.
Why the comparisons. Barbados has by far more vehicles excluding those that
are unregistered in lots for-sale.
A total fiasco.
100 YEARS LATER….still 100 YEARS BEHIND…
“Barbados does not have the necessary legislation to protect its elderly from abuse.”
John
The island is too sweet for the crooks and schemers.
It may well have gone over the cliff.
The IMF don’t matter how many times they run to will always be broke and backward as they scheme to line their pockets and their associates.
If Barbados has alot of vehicles it must have FX access to pay for them.
How does a car seller generate FX to purchase the cars from over and away?
The majority of vehicles are already landed, foreign exchange exposure is as a result of current imports which is small in the context of the discussion.
@ The GDP figure in 2021 was $4,901 million….
Kindly explain what the stats you presented have to do with the implementation of a reliable, efficient public transportation system?
The vehicle issue is a 2 sided sword. We have several car rental companies and off shore companies who invest heavily in vehicles as well. In their case the car goes on to earn foreign exchange by being rented to tourist. Also remember the net fx cost of the car is less than half the selling price in many cases. When you back out the vat and duty on the vehicle along with the dealers markup, the net FX cost may surprise you. I think the last time I looked at import figures cars were under 5% of our import bill in terms of fx demand.
John A September 18, 2022 7:17 PM
John A
You are correct.
A used 2019 Suzuki Swift 1.2 XG imported from Japan costs around US$8,389 from some dealerships and retails for approximately BD$41,500.
@ Artax
Ouch! Cars are definitely a cash cow for government that they can’t afford to lose.
Quite right on the public transport.
It is currently not fir for purpose. And the route taxis suffer from thug behaviour.
But I guess with if private vehicles are banned, the measures to ban music and thus behaviour in route taxis will follow. Policed by a special discipline force.
Without having drivers with multiple traffic offences being allowed to drive.
I wonder where the additional investment in the Transport Board will come from?
DavidSeptember 18, 2022 6:49 PM
The majority of vehicles are already landed, foreign exchange exposure is as a result of current imports which is small in the context of the discussion.
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“A car with a typical rate of depreciation loses up to 58% of its initial value after three years, 49% in four years and 40% after five years. Certain vehicle types and models can have close to zero value after 10 to 11 years. That’s why car owners prefer in-demand cars that retain higher resale values.”
How long does a car last?
I used to see Fish-tail Cambridges in the 90’s but can’t remember seeing any lately.
Sometimes I see one old Bedford Truck, a G number, still in operation.
Probably not many 50’s and 60’s vintage vehicles around except in a few collectors’ hands.
The more bells and whistles on it the more likely it will break down.
In Cuba, there are cars that are really old, but they do not have electronics which will only last so long like most come with today.
Electronics don’t do well in harsh environments.
So, the $2 billion in FX is depreciating every day and the bulk of it is not earning its way, it is as good as burnt.
@ Crusoe
Boss, another option, if private cars are banned, is that there be a lot less traveling, and a lot more walking.
The health benefits (for those who survive) would be phenomenal.
The REAL truth, as you well know, is that we will eventually HAVE to ban them because we won’t have the money to pay for them… like any other bum.
@Bush Tea,
Bang on Sir. Watch people (sorry but especially ladies), park at the supermarket. As close to the door as possible.
Most bajans do not like to walk.
Add the fried chicken and chips five days a week and no wonder the health of the nation rough.
The old people who live to a hundred used to walk a lot more. And eat cleaner food.
Watch when the fried chicken people get older….Will be few centenarians.
So more walking out of necessity, ground provisions, local fruit and watch the obesity and diabetes rates fall over the nect few years.
Add a four day week instead of five, so people’s bodies get more exercise at the beach and sports and more relaxation and rest and things will get better.
But, as I said, I only from Brumley.
I don’t believe that, taking the current economic situation into consideration, there isn’t any rational thinking individual who would OPPOSE banning the importation of vehicles, perhaps under terms similar to Bhutan, (as alluded to by Tony in his September 18, 2022 1:31 PM contribution, from the article, “Bhutan bans import of most vehicles as foreign exchange reserves plummet,” by Gopal Sharma).
I AGREE with Bush Tea re: “the REAL truth is that we will eventually HAVE to ban (vehicles) because we won’t have the money to pay for them.”
It’s a DECISION the CURRENT or a future administration WILL HAVE TO MAKE, ‘sooner or later.’
There isn’t any denying that the island’s unreliable, inefficient public transportation service is ONE of the factors leading to an increase in the demand for vehicles.
So, we’re going to immediately ban importing cars, WITHOUT any THOUGHTS about IMPROVING public transportation.
Because, we’re “wondering where the additional investment in the Transport Board will come from”…… or, finding silly excuses about playing music on PSVs and ZR drivers.
And, return to the days when people had to walk, for example from Connell Town in St. Lucy to their jobs in Bridgetown, simply because ‘women park their cars as close as possible to the supermarket door.’
After which we’ll legislate reducing the working week from 40 hours to 32.
So, while inflation is increasing, there is a corresponding decrease in salaries/wages. But, what the heck, we’ll be too busy playing sports, relaxing and exercising at the beach, because in doing so, “things will get better.”
‘Waxing shiite eloquently’ and calling it ‘common sense.’
RE: “……where the additional investment in the Transport Board will come from?”
I remember sometime during February 2019, reading an article in which it was mentioned Transport Board should have at least 170 buses on the road, but, at that time, was operating with 57 on a daily basis.
Transport Board is currently in the process of refurbishing several of its older fleet of buses, which are being returned to service.
Additionally, ‘government’ allocated $45M to the Transport Board for the procurement of 49 BYD electric buses, train employees, inspections, licensing, construct the associated electrical infrastructure and charging stations.
More electric units expected be added to the existing fleet, thereby progressively increasing the availability of buses and satisfying the daily requirement to service all routes.
The Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP), is a joint Transport Board and privately owned PSVs initiative, whereby specially marked mini-buses and ZRs adhere to the same rules and regulations, while plying the same routes as TB buses…… also increasing the availability and daily requirement of units.
There has also been an increase in the issuing of PSV permits, which has resulted in too many ‘vans’ and mini-buses plying particular routes, thereby increasing competition.
All thst is required for this situation is coordination.
We’re always discussing “leadership” in Barbados and the lack thereof.
St. Lucian authorities, for example, have been able to properly control and coordinate the operation of that island’s transport system.
Passengers form orderly queues to board vehicles and there isn’t any overcrowding on ‘buses.’
‘Bus’ operators simply abide by the rules and regulations governing that sector.
In Barbados, rather than enforce the law, we prefer to ‘find all types’ of excuses to justify and condone the ‘lawless behaviour’ exhibited by PSV operators.
We encourage conflict of issues to occur, when police officers and politicians for example, are allowed to own PSVs.
Their drivers break traffic laws, because they aren’t afraid of being prosecuted.
This is where leadership comes to the fore.
So Artax thibks that poorly run transport, unreliable, run by thugs, is a substitute for personal vehicles that allow people to actually work?
That a poorly run transport board, already losing money and with questionable practices, will not be another hole for taxpayer money?
And that is your idea of commonsense?
Utter nonsense.
And Artax you actually think that the country will have no money to pay for cars, but will miraculously have money to pay for wage increases?
Perfect example of cognitive dissonance.
On the contrary, your persistent support for impossible wage increases are idiocy.
As if you know about commonsense, you are demonstrating that you have none.
“Passengers form orderly queues”.
Oh, so you mean a paradigm shift in attitudes and culture?
Exactly what I have been saying.
But I only from Brumley.
“All that is required is coordination”.
No, far from.
That you so flippantly scorn the value of wellness and physical fitness, especially on the health service costs to the island, is telling.
Not surprising, as is the current status of Bajans generally, per my comment above.
But telling as to someone who seeks to narrate on policy decisions.
@Crusoe
We live at a time when to do what is popular and convenient is preferred. Successive governments are inclined to pad their popularity by going with the flow of popular sentiment to win the prize, an election. Our system of government is a man made construct after all.
We talk about leadership. All of us must be able to themselves accountable. We are all leaders of our houses.
@ Artax
Anybody who takes up a book on commerce, will read in the first chapter the importance of transportation: the movement of goods , people and services.
To argue with those whom this simple fact is unknown, is a difficult task.
We don’t say it , but the lack of a properly functioning public transport system
has contributed greatly to non productivity and has probably caused our economy more damage than we care to admit.
Peace.
William Skinner September 19, 2022 7:07 AM #: “Anybody who takes up a book on commerce, will read in the first chapter the importance of transportation: the movement of goods, people and services.”
@ Mr. Skinner
You are correct.
And, that’s the point I was attempting to make, to which the response was, a presentation of irrelevant statistics and an armchair critic ‘talking’ shiite about reducing the working week to four day.
There is a direct correlation between transportation and productivity.
Productivity is a central component of economic growth.
Making the public transport system more efficient and reliable, reduces the cost the of moving people and goods, increases economic productivity, which could be reasonably measured as the output of goods and services in relation to public investment…… thereby leading to long-term economic growth.
“Economics 101.”
@Artax
Like any good vision/plan there must be a holistic approach.
RE There is a direct correlation between transportation and productivity.
There is a direct correlation between transportation and EVERYTHING
WHEN I DEVELOPED MY PROPOSALS FOR THE NHS ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 1 1985, TRANSPORTATION WAS AT THE BACK OF IT ALL,
I IMPLORED THEN THAT THE POLYCLINICS BE SRATEGICALLY PLACED AT HUBS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXISTING HIGHWAYS—–ONE OF THE VERITABLE PARTS OF OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
OF COURSE THEY GOT IT WRONG IN SOME WAYS
@ GP; @ Artax
Transportation is the vein through which economy activity runs. Trains have been around all through the Wild West. Trains are still very important to real economic activity.
Maybe if we had treated public transportation like we treat tourism, we would have solved 75% of our economic problems.
Even having a box cart is sometimes an improvement in transportation and then we have wheel barrows.
Common sense is not common.
Crusoe September 19, 2022 5:12 AM
RE: “And Artax you actually think that the country will have no money to pay for cars, but will miraculously have money to pay for wage increases?”
My friend, your view is not only simplistic, but silly as well.
Over the past few years, while inflation has been increasing, salaries/wages remained at pre economic downturn and pandemic levels.
In other words, earnings have not been adjusted for inflation.
The constant increases in prices of goods and services have resulted in people, especially the so called ‘middle class,’ struggling to make ends meet.
You’re suggesting we should ‘add insult to injury,’ by REDUCING the working week from five (5) days a week, to four (4).
So, in the wake of RISING inflation, we’re going to REDUCE earnings by one (1) day’s pay.
“Perfect example of cognitive dissonance.”
The GoSVG recently announced its intentions to increase public sector salaries/wages over a three year period.
‘Government’ “miraculously had money to pay for” a ‘tourism jingle,’ and lawyers millions of dollars for reviewing simple contracts.
I believe the country will “miraculously find money” to support the increase in salaries/wages.
You mentioned cars. Couldn’t some of the fx SAVED if there is an eventual banning the importation of vehicles, be used to finance a gradual increase of earnings?
RE: “On the contrary, your persistent support for impossible wage increases are idiocy.”
When have I ever expressed a “persistent support for impossible wage increases?”
Since you mentioned “idiocy,” are you going to reduce the working week of the health, police, fire and other essential services, to four (4) days as well?
@ Artax
The whole struggle is to protect the foreign reserves. We are literally afraid to increase wages because we think it will increase consumer spending and put pressure on foreign reserves.
What we fail to realise is that a modest increase in public sector wages, will probably give the local economy a boost and we may capture some of that spending on goods and services produced locally.
People may then be less cautious in touching their savings and thus could lead to some growth.
As you have said , wages have been stagnant and people who are mechanics, artisans and so on have been in deep straits. A sensible wage increase will inspire confidence.
The problem here is that we are limited in vision and only see growth via tourism.
Fear is the foundation of failure and it’s obvious the fear being displayed by our economic planners is now permeating the citizenry.
A wage increase is needed and deserved. Burnham showed that if you dramatically decrease dependence on foreign goods , ingenuity will surface and those who want to push up their noses at local products will pay for the imported at exorbitant prices.
Peace.
@ William
I agree with your point and would go further and say that with recent inflation ALL of the increase any public worker gets will go back into the economy.
@John A
It is a dog chasing the tail scenario but the union bosses have a job to do. Managing a Union is no different to managing a business.
@ David
Thing is if we could improve our collection agencies like BRA and Customs even a small amount that increase would be self financing.
I never said that transportation was not essential, in fact vehicles bith private and company, are part of transportation.
Anyone who ignores the necessity of the corporate, small business and private transportation is talking total nonsense.
Your views that public transportation can replace these, in banning imports, is simplistic and silly…actually abject nonsense.
Improvement in the public transport system should be essential, but is distinct from the corporate, small business and many individual needs, given the economy.
As to wages and inflation, absolutely nothing different to that multiple other countries are facing.
The Barbados government has long had issues paying the public wage bill.
What…increase that burden now?
And add more costs to the ports, administrative etc etc?
Economic idiocy.
If you actually took the time to comprehend instead of taking pot shots at select points, you would have noted my reference to productivity improvements coexistent with shorter work weeks.
But your tunnel vision blots such out.
John A,
Of course improvement in collections should have occurred ever since.
But such would be merely to make up deficits. You all talk as if the books were already balanced.
Oh boy….
And given that one of the major pocketbooks that has prior been called upon to pay wages in times of need, has moved on…
Some will get that reference, many not.
Crusoe September 19, 2022 5:27 AM #: “That you so flippantly scorn the value of wellness and physical fitness, especially on the health service costs to the island, is telling.”
~~~~~~~~~~
You’re being disingenuous.
Please indicate how I “scorned the value of wellness and physical fitness?
Several people can be seen early every morning or on evenings after work, walking on various roads, ABC highway, around the Garrison, Gymnasium car park or exercising on the beach.
There has been an increase in people attending gyms either early in the morning or evening, resulting in the establishment of more gyms.
You need to ‘get out more.’
Obviously there will be those persons, as they were back in 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, who will not practice healthy lifestyles.
The reality is, you CANNOT make any DEFINITIVE DETERMINATION of how many centenarians Barbados will have in the future.
Because you’ll be LONG DEAD if or when those persons who are NOW practicing healthy lifestyles, celebrate their 100th birthday.
And, please be reminded, Rolerick Miller was a health fanatic…… one of the healthiest men in Barbados.
He died from a heart attack.
@ Crusoe
The cost of living this year in terms of inflation may well top 8% here. The civil service is made up largely by lower salary individuals who we expect increased productivity from. Personally I am not against giving them a small increase, but it must be linked to improvements in our collection agencies. The heads of the departments also need to weed out the ones that don’t work or produce as well. In other words the seat warmers and clock watchers need to go. If all the above is done in the exercise the net effect of the raise may well be zero.
William Skinner September 19, 2022 9:28 AM
Well ‘said.’
What we have here is a ‘dinosaur’ living in the past, ‘waxing shiite eloquently’ under the guise of common sense.
ARTAX
YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT WHEN YOU RECOLLECT THAT Rolerick Miller was a health fanatic…… one of the healthiest men in Barbados. He died from a heart attack
WHEREAS EXERCISE IS CONSIDERED HEALTHY THE BIBLE TEACHES IN 1 Timothy 4:8 A THAT ….” bodily exercise profiteth little:…..”
AT ONE OF MY FIRST POSTMORTEMS IN 1975, I WAS CONVINCED THAT THE EDICT OF EZEKIEL 18: 4 &18 IS VERY TRUE=> THE SOUL THAT SINNETH IT SHALL DIE
AT THAT POST MORTEM OF AN 80 YEAR OLD MAN WHO HAD DIED IN HOSPITAL, THE PATHOLOGIST KEPT SHAKING HIS HEAD AS HE SLICED, ALL THE MAN’ S ORGANS AND THEN HIS VARIOUS BLOOD VESSELS.
I ASKED HIM WHY ARE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD
HE RESPONDED, “I CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG TO SAY WHY THIS MAN HAS DIED , HIS BLOOD VESSELS ARE LIKE THOSE OF A BABY.
IT IS NOTEWORTHY WHAT THE WHOLE TEXT OF 1 Timothy 4:8, KJV SAYS : For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Dr. GP
All is ‘said’ was IMPROVE the RELIABILITY and EFFICIENCY of the public transport system.
That has been INTERPRETED to MEAN CONTINUING with a “poorly run transport, unreliable, run by thugs, is a substitute for personal vehicles that allow people to actually work”……
…… and, “a poorly run transport board, already losing money and with questionable practices, will not be another hole for taxpayer money.”
Unless the DEFINITION of the word ‘IMPROVE’ has CHANGED recently,
Dinosaur? Pot / kettle much?
Yes, you are talking rubbish under the guise of commonsense.
You are for keeping filling civil service seats and pay them more.
When the government has struggled with the public sector wage bill for years.
Idiocy, not commonsense.
@GP Ok there we have it from a medical professional.
No use in reducing obesity by changes in lifestyle.
“We all gine dead”.
The fast food places will be happy to have medical endorsement.
Sit all day at work, then home to watch Days of Our Lives replays and eat fried chicken.
At least the public wage bill will be reduced sooner.
You, who mocks changes in ways of doing things, supports the status quo.
Who really is the Dinosaur?
Very possibly this discussion is moot anyway.
If the 2022-2023 tourism results do not meet hopes, do not rectify vs the Barbados results vs other Caribbean islands to date 2022, the question may not be raises but public sector layoffs (as the morons prior legislated against cuts).
Actually, a very possible scenario, considering world economies that support Barbados tourism
Is this the QEH?
https://imgur.com/2jq3TBt
Last/last
Please INDICATE WHERE in any of my contributions I MADE any COMMENT that SUGGESTS, I’m “for keeping filling civil service seats and pay them more?”
I NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING about, “filling civil service seats,” as you are now implying, which essentially means increasing public sector employee levels.
You’re ATTRIBUTING comments to me that I DID NOT MAKE.
That, my friend, is DISHONESTY.
The ‘discussion’ was about your suggestion that the working week should be reduced from 40 hours to 32, which essentially means over burdened employees, especially those in the public sector, whose earnings have remained at pre recession and COVID-19 levels, while inflation, in terms of the cost of goods and services, have been constantly increasing…… will essentially LOSE one (1) day’s pay.
I also mentioned a GRADUAL INCREASE in salaries/wages of EXISTING public sector employees……
…… and used the government of St. Vincent & Grenadines announcing its intentions to increase public sector earnings over a three (3) year period, as an example of how ‘government’ could approach salary negotiations.
Some sources define ‘common sense’ as exercising sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.
Suggesting a reduction of earnings by one day’s pay, in an environment where people working 40 hours a week, are struggling financially to make ‘ends meet,’ homes are being repossessed and, according to some contributors, people are eating ‘Ramen,’…… …… CANNOT be “exercising sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.”
ArtaxSeptember 19, 2022 10:51 AM
Dr. GP
All is ‘said’ was IMPROVE the RELIABILITY and EFFICIENCY of the public transport system.
I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH YOU ABOUT IMPROVING the RELIABILITY and EFFICIENCY of the public transport system. I DO THINK THAT THIS IS BOTH ESSENTIAL AND PARAMOUNT
MY NOTE WAS INTENDED TO AGREE WITH YOU BY SHOWING THAT TRANSPORT IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE, IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND HOW IT WAS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND WHEN I THOUGHT OF WHERE THE CENTERS FROM WHICH WE SHOULD OPERATE WHEN I PROPOSED A SYSTEM FOR OUR NHS
RE @GP Ok there we have it from a medical professional.
No use in reducing obesity by changes in lifestyle.
“We all gine dead”.
The fast food places will be happy to have medical endorsement.
Sit all day at work, then home to watch Days of Our Lives replays and eat fried chicken.
At least the public wage bill will be reduced sooner.
======================================================================
IT IS SCUM AND MEDICAL ILLITERATES THAT CAUSE ME TO MOCK ON BU INSTEAD OF SHARING NUGGETS OF TRUTH FROM MY PESONAL RESEARCH AND THOSE OF OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
AND YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPEW YOUR IGNORANCE AND I AM NOT ALLOWED TO RESPOND
THAT WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IS A DECIDED FACT THAT CAN NOT BE REFUTED
BUT ONE CAN LOSE LOTS OF WEIGHT WITHOUT EXERCISE BY GOING ON A DIET IN WHICH GLUCONEOGENESIS IS THE BEDROCK OF YOUR DIET
AND WITH RESPECT TO FRIED CHICKEN THE NEW ATKINS DIET REQUIRES FAT IN YOUR DIET
SOME NOW ADVOCATE THAT YOU PUT BUTTER IN YOUR COFFEE
AND THERE IS SO MUCH OTHER PROPOSALS
BUT ON BU IDIOTS LIKE YOU COME WITH YOUR LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ANF LOTS OF USELESS SARCASM
THERE ARE STUDIES WITH FOLK WHO EAT FAST FOOD DAILY
HOW EXACTLY DOES FAST FOOD AND FOOD COOKED AT HOME DIFFER IN COMPOSITION OR CALORIFIC VALUE? AND WHY?
Look upward!!
Artax September 18, 2022 7:16 PM
“Kindly explain what the stats you presented have to do with the implementation of a reliable, efficient public transportation system?”
Xxx
It’s a Plane. No a bird 🦅
Huh?
RE: “……where the additional investment in the Transport Board will come from?”
Xxx
China 🇨🇳 Sir..
This is what happens when the backward and uneducated REFUSE TO REMOVE SLAVE LAWS OUT OF AFRIKAN PEOPLE’S SLAVES…
“A panel investigating the Government Industrial School (GIS) said on Monday it had recommended a major overhaul of the institution for recalcitrant children.
Chairman of the panel of inquiry, Oral Williams, a former deputy commissioner of police, listed a series of findings from the investigation, including unqualified staff and a dysfunctional environment.
Williams said the panel proposed a shake-up of the staffing and management structure, closure of the girls’ facility, and new laws that include removal of the offence of wandering.”
yall will get POORER still if ya dumb Enuff to fall into any of their crypto scam traps…..one of tons
“SK Requests Terraform Co-Founder Red Notice From Interpol
South Korea has asked Interpol to issue a red notice for the co-founder of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, whose Luna crypto token collapsed from near $100 to almost zero in a $40 billion wipeout in May.
Seoul prosecutors issued a warrant for Kwon’s arrest last Wednesday before invalidating his passport, but the blockchain developer insists he is not “on the run” and is cooperating with authorities. This is despite Singapore police saying he is no longer in the city-state where he had reportedly been living.
Kwon tweeted, however, that unless “we are friends, have plans to meet, or are involved in a GPS-based Web3 game you have no business knowing my GPS coordinates.”
*when the backward and uneducated REFUSE TO REMOVE SLAVE LAWS OUT OF AFRIKAN PEOPLE’S LIVES
@ David
Just saw on the CBC TV8 news that Planning & Development Department serves notices on illegal structures of a number of squatters they are either living in or constructing on lands owned by Bellevue Plantation.
Saw some wall houses as well, and people of Indian descent, who most likely are Guyanese…… were among those ‘crying foul.’
A woman, identified as ‘Melissa,’ judging from her accent seems to be non-national……spoke ‘off camera’ and said ‘a friend introduced she and her husband to the area.
That ‘things are not easy in Barbados, everything is expensive.’
The notice gives squatters 28 days to contact PPD.
Squatting is an ILLEGAL ACTIVITY that should NOT be CONDONED or TOLERATED.
I believe Barbadians and especially people from other countries, should NOT be ALLOWED to engage in the activity, perhaps believing they have a ‘God given or LEGAL RIGHT’ to do so.
@ Artax
Of course people will squat now, especially after seeing those by the airport being rewarded with new houses in an approved development !
Squatting it would now appear is a very rewarding exercise based on how some have recently been treated.
Ignore the offenders and don’t nip a problem in the bud and this is the price we as a country pay. Enforce the law when the first offender breaks ground, don’t wait for a illegal development to form then act.
When it comes to enforcement we truly are a sad bunch.
John A
I agree.
‘Government’ essentially rewarded non-nationals for breaking the law, with loans, grants, and construction of houses at Parish Land, Concordia North and Clifden in St. Philip, and Leadvale, Christ Church.
While some Barbadians are still awaiting repairs to their homes that were either damaged or destroyed by Tropical Storm Tomas in 2011.
And, those families who lost their homes either during the freak storm on June 16, 2021…… or when Hurricane Elsa struck on July 2, 2021, are still awaiting the prefabricated houses from China, to be assembled for them.
Apparently, however, there are only nine houses so far on Bellevue Plantation.
Surely this situation can be ‘nipped in the bud,’ before the site expands into a bigger, illegal housing development.
One of my concerns is, the number of Haitians in Barbados are steadily increasing.
And, similarly to the Guyanese, they may obviously want to ‘venture’ into this illegal activity.
what a beautiful morning, hope everyone is seeing it too..
so….was there really an attempt to cover up a taxpayer paid 36 MILLION DOLLAR flooding at QEH brand new extension…..wuh dah is wuh people saying..
…am sure i posted on it here some days ago and the post was removed, but what do i care…wuh um int me gine be seen as hiding anything from the people.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/01/12/new-qeh-wing-flooded/
“Workers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) concerned about repeat flooding in the new annex of the Accident & Emergency department have been reassured that the issue is being worked on.
Responding to today’s flooding issues, the second major such incident since the facility opened last year, Executive Chairman of the QEH Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland acknowledged the problem but told Barbados TODAY, that “new buildings occasionally bring with them challenges”
GEL buys “food and beverage concessions at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama” from IMC.
Fed raises rate by 3/4%. We should know what this bodes for Barbados given our fragile state.
John,… didn’t realize you had posted on that days ago as well…..only now seeing it..
And from the ‘forward looking guidance’ the Fed isn’t finished yet.
It is a rare occasion when a senior BoCda employee attributes inflation to the extended period and amount of ‘quantitative easing’ (a political choice)
Possibly part of what is being called the ‘Pierre effect’, where Pierre refers to the newly minted LoO, who said he’d fire the Gov of BoCda (which likely includes many senior employees).
@Bush TeaSeptember 18, 2022 11:09 PM
Widespread obesity is a godsend for the NIS. The earlier our retirees die, the better it is for the pension fund. We should also privatise the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It’s people’s own fault if they eat too much and then get sick.
@NO
I heard that Pierre (LOO) was recommending crypto currency, think I should contact this guy?
https://bit.ly/3BXpFCO
Posted a comment 3 different ways, lost in the ether
@Sarge
Just another Ponzi schemer.
All they need is the seed money, and away they go.
wuhloss….the radical vaccine scam story coming out….complete with photos of ALL THE FRAUDSTERS……it has its own article…..lawd……frauds and thieves…
…court documents DON’T LIE. especially when it’s moving from state to state…
any judge worth their salt would SEE THE FRAUD in any jurisdiction or state…scammers and schemers suing each other..
Barbados to put on auction 22 oil blocks
Sep 12, 2022 News
– as seismic studies showed possible existence of significant hydrocarbon resources
Minister of Energy, Kerrie Symmonds
(BARBADOS TODAY) Barbados has embarked on a fresh initiative to lure the world’s leading energy firms to explore its waters for oil and gas, after the latest seismic study showed the possible existence of significant hydrocarbon resources. Minister of Energy, Kerrie Symmonds said on Wednesday that the bidding process for licences will start on December 1.
He recently returned to the island from an international promotional roadshow in Houston, Texas, where he went public with the planned auction. “Woodside Energy, which was formerly BHP, has now successfully completed a 2 600 square kilometre 3D seismic survey offshore Barbados in the Carlisle Bay and the Bimshire Blocks. The final returns on that survey should be with us in a few months, but on the basis of previous surveys and what other information we have been able to pick up, we felt fairly confident that now was the right time to announce the offshore licensing round,”
“There is obviously a feeling, therefore, that there is some untapped hydrocarbon resource potential and that is what led to the launch of this competitive licensing round for the offshore acreage.” The Energy Minister said the recently concluded ‘International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE)’ was one of the biggest and most important geosciences conferences held in recent times, and it was deliberately chosen to launch the offshore licensing round. He said that in trying to whip up interest among the world’s leading energy professionals, major oil and gas companies, global energy leaders and geoscientists there, Barbadian officials informed them of the strides made in the local offshore exploration sector, including the unitisation agreement between this country and Trinidad to facilitate the joint development of hydrocarbon resources that straddle their shared maritime boundary, as well as the successful completion of the seismic survey.
The Minister pointed out that there have been recent significant gas finds – about three to five trillion cubic feet of gas by Woodside Energy in Trinidad and Tobago’s adjacent deep water blocks. With the launch of the licensing round, investors can now compete for the opportunity to explore oil and gas potential in the island’s waters. “There is, therefore, an invitation extended to companies around the world who specialise in exploration to take an interest in, and to nominate acreage from 22 available blocks in Barbados for inclusion in the bidding process, which will be followed obviously by a prequalification stage and then the formal bidding awards,” Symmonds said.
“It provides an opportunity for them to participate in the island’s deep water potential, but to do so under a competitive legal fiscal and regulatory framework .” Symmonds also said that with amendments to the offshore legislation, the environment impact assessment period has been extended so that companies have a longer period within which they can do area-specific, purpose-oriented and more detailed analysis that would give Government a better opportunity to determine the nature and quality of the work being done and its potential effect on the environment.
“Of course, we have introduced change of control provisions which give us greater oversight in the event of mergers, acquisitions and takeovers which are very prolific in this gas and oil sector,” he added. Minister Symmonds contended that Barbados’ efforts to extract its hydrocarbon resources can go hand in hand with its clean energy policy. “We recognise that the country obviously has significant hydrocarbon resources deep in our sea bed. The National Energy Policy was passed in Parliament, I believe in 2019, and speaks to the safe and the efficient and the environmentally conscious recovery of these resources and with the production of hydrocarbons being exported in an effort to generate revenue that can be reinvested . . . in the renewable energy section,” Symmonds said.
Noting that the renewable energy sector is replete with technologies that are not only new but exceptionally costly, he added: “If you [look at], for example, the need for battery storage and the cost of batteries at utility-scale to run an island, then you would understand what I am talking about. That is long before we get to the need to replace all the ground transportation in the country with electric and related-type vehicles.” “That point I wanted to make very clear because the ambition is to put us in a position where, obviously, the potential for natural gas can be explored to the maximum and to make us as attractive and strategic a partner as possible for those entities which are interested as well in building a resilient energy future,” he declared.
The future🛢
Proved crude oil reserves in Barbados from 2009 to 2021
(in million barrels)
table
column chart
Characteristic
Oil reserves in million barrels
2021. 1.98
Crude Oil including Lease Condensate Reserves
1.00 (thousand barrels per day) in May 2022
Between June 2021 and May 2022, Barbados crude oil reserves remained stable at around 1 thousand barrels per day.
Technically we have nothing in the barrel.
The cost outweighs the benefits.
Bds needs major oil discoveries alike Guyanese, Lisa 1, 2 & 3 tables.
Who’s having fun?
For the record, I will mention that Sada Williams and Johnathon Jones both are having an outstanding year in track and field.
This is not meant to be a comment about race, but it happens that the list of achievers are all white. We have seen the recent successes of Karen Meakins and Mark Sealy at the World Masters Squash Championship.. Josh Burke and Chelsea Tauch continue to or ride the waves in the surfing world. Team Maloney often grab the headlines in auto racing. Mark Farmer just had his name on the paper as he accomplished a major swimming feat. Congratulations. Impressive. Outstanding;
Here we have a small segment of the population successfully engaging in and dominating ‘non-traditional’ sports.
Some will continue to harp on our ‘lack’ of a national stadium, but I am wondering if this spend would give us the biggest bang for the buck. Auto racing would be expensive, but I wonder if we were able to combine the expenses of the above mentioned small group and compare it with monies invested in athletics which would be considered as the most rewarding.
I say that to say this. Perhaps we need to identify areas where we could ‘maximize our wins’ and focus on them. The Obadele Thompson, Sada Williams and Johnathon Jones are too few and far between for us to just focus on track and field. If we were to discover a next Bolt on the island, then I would say that the money was well invested, but first we have to find out Bolt.
Are we destined to be forever a one-eyed country. We place all our hopes on the tourism industry. We push track and field at the expense of other sports . Urgently wanted a Barbadian Richard Williams (father of Serena and Venus), and Earl Woods (father of Tiger) …
Let us try to give our children a broader vision of what is an athlete. Let us celebrate the successes of all.
Pick a topic
Examine what is happening on the island.
Now you see why we flit from topic to topic. We use a microscope and zero in on issues one item at a time.
Afraid to take a few steps backwards and look at the big knotted mess confronting us.
We did the justice system
We did BWA
We did NIS
Doing GIS
Look like digital IDs is some king of a mess
Money spent but QEH leaking
Then we went to BL&P
Now back to traffic. Let’s call it Roundabout 2.
Hifalutin talk but nothing changes. One big ugly knotted mess. Not failed, but irreversibley failing.
@ TheOGazerts,
https://bmf-fia.com/news/2022-09-23/btmi-supports-expanded-bmf-team-fia-games
Options?
Inspiring
https://www.nationnews.com/2022/09/25/plans-train-barbados-tourism-sector/