In 2007 a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) government sold to taxpayers that idea that a key financial benefit to refurbishing Kensington Oval was the ROL (Return on Legacy). Our best research indicates the government invested approximately BDS$130 million to host the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In the over fifteen years that elapsed the blogmaster has not located official analysis to confirm there was a favourable rate of ROL.
The legacy of this World Cup will involve a number of variables in a very complex equation but one thing that is important, is you can benefit from the World Cup in tourism and hospitality, investment, infrastructure security, administration, technology – you can benefit from it – Noel Lynch, Chairman of the National Organising Committee
Despite the missing ROL analysis from 2007, a BLP government once again took the decision to host another cricket World Cup in 2024. Based on the 6-month economic review by Governor of the Central Bank the hosting of World Cup cricket matches was significantly responsible for achieving the fantastic 4.5% real economic growth. Barbadians should be mindful that the good economic performance should not be conflated with the ROL. It should not come as a surprise the government has not shared a final statement of expenses to support the 2024 cricket World Cup project. By the blogmaster’s estimation the figure should about BDS$100 million.
The blogmaster does not have an issue with supporting government’s initiatives once there is the assurance of full disclosure and transparency. Unfortunately Barbadians have been waiting on freedom of information legislation promised by a BLP Tom Adams government since the 1970s.
We have heard several conflicting statements about this $50 million Barbados dollar spend,” Thorne told journalists. “When it first came to public attention, we were told the spending was for Kensington and cricket development. That seemed to have exceeded Kensington’s borders … because we were told $5 million was going to Oistins.” He argued there had been “a lot of inconsistency” in govern – Barbados Today
Although the rapidly self destructing Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has promised to investigate government’s expenditure allocated to the 2024 cricket World Cup when the Public Accounts Committee is convened, why should we be optimistic? Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne does not have the power as Chairman to control the agenda of the committee. Oh the irony!
Having had the experience of two cricket world cups what rigorous analysis has been made available to taxpayers to support governments repeated allocation of significant resources to a sport the region has been failing at for decades? Has the time come to reallocate resources earmarked for cricket to break dancing?
As if to rub salt in the wounds of taxpayers both Noel Lynch who chaired the National Organising Committee and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley were key planners involved in the 2007 World Cup.
Who can the citizenry turn to hold our governments accountable besides resorting to a call to arms? How long is too long when it is wrong?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.