Submitted by Observing
The recent estimates and budget debates made for good theatre. For the first time in 6 years the country was treated to a robust opposition reply (sorry Atherley, you just weren’t cutting it). While not holding any brief for either side, one aspect of the saga raised much attention.
LOTO Thorne spoke at length about the HOPE project and associated arrangements. Much was “revealed” and even more was “inferred.”
Uncharacteristically, the PM was quick out the blocks to admit concern and just as quickly announce a probe. Characteristically however was the Deputy PM launching personal and professional broadsides calling for reopening of probes and raising questions of “infelicities.”
A sense of déjà vu hit and so poor me went back to the time machine to dig up some information. Picture this-
HARDWOOD HOUSING
In 2007 Then LOTO David Thompson raised many concerns about a company called Hardwood Housing, promoted by Clyde Mascoll and headed by Chairman … Tony Hoyos. Hardwood was capitalized in the main by Enterprise Growth Fund Limited headed by Chairman…yup, you guessed it… Tony Hoyos.
For those who follow politics these revelations started an uncomfortable period for the BLP and may have been the first domino to fall in the leadup to the 2008 change in government. One BU quote back then said “Thompson questioned why only 15 houses have been constructed to date even though the company has drawn down on BDS2 million dollars in under a year. It appears that despite the rush to get to the market with the low income houses there has been a hitch and the houses have not been deployed due to the lack of land to place the houses
Déjà vu?
HOPE
Based on the LOTO’s contribution there seem to be numerous challenges at HOPE. The interconnections of HOPE, ResLife and NewLife Investment coupled with the Dual Chairmanship of…yup you guess it…Tony Hoyos has left many any questions unanswered.
It seems the same names keep popping up and the same issues keep arising. Let us see how long the PM’s probe takes, what it will reveal and what if anything would be done.
The Deputy PM
The fire with which the Deputy PM torched the LOTO and her imputation of sinister actions on his part really made the old head ask “what really gine on hey?” . But a quick internet search revealed a 2011 photo displaying this caption…. “Attorney and up-and-coming politico Santia Bradshaw is a head turner in this red and black ruffled number. Her boyfriend Tony Hoyos doesn’t clean up too bad either.” I guess case closed!
https://youtu.be/VHoFt6ba_c0
HOUSING “SOLUTIONS”
Some of us remember Liz Thompson and her Hummingbird…or was it Butterfly?? Many of us know of Michael Lashley’s numerical housing record (though his other records may not be suitable for public airplay) and now we are being treated to Duguid’s and Sutherland’s promises and performances. The questions remain though.
Is “owning a piece of the rock” still realistically something average young Barbadians can aim towards?
Will the promises of the last 6 years bear any fruit or will we continue to prioritise the tourism eggs and the high end housing market baskets first?
Will the same players, brokers and builders continue to get a lot for a little only to turn around and sell it to those with little for a lot??
Moral of the story??
The more things change…the more they remain the same.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.