There is absolutely no doubt the issue of discoloured water flowing from the pipes of residents in St. Lucy is being politicised. The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has seized on an issue that continues to create emotional distress among Barbadians. To state the obvious, mere mortals cannot exist without water. The political analysts will agree the DLP is delivering on its mandate.
Political commentators from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and DLP (if in government) are quick to point out water is flowing through 100 year old mains. Isn’t it ironic that BOTH the DLP and BLP have formed the government in the 100 year period our water mains system has been allowed to decay?
One must be sympathetic of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), an agency like many compromised by political interference through the years. Of interest is that the former CEO Keithroy Halliday (ag) recently resigned from the BWA to take up a similar position at the problem plagued Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) in Trinidad and Tobago. The move by Halliday should is instructive despite his assurance to BWA staff the agency is on “the cusp of a welcomed transformation phase”.
When talk about water and transformation surfaces in Barbados the blogmaster is reminded of the speech delivered by the late Prime Minister David Thompson to BWA staff in 2009. In the context of what is unfolding today, it represents a ‘good’ reference document to support the view that successive governments struggle to execute plans in the interest of the people.
The BWA has apprised the public it will take 3 to 4 years to replace several miles of 100 year old rusty mains to correct the brown water problem. The immediate action plan must be what support affected residents in the St. Lucy can expect from government given the importance of water to the life of a human being. A rebate in water bill is one thing but combatting the brown water problem is the bigger issue. As usual while citizens suffer because of inept politicians, said politicians are happy the issues created by them provide grist for the political mill to further the cause.
In a related matter, notice has been served that prime agricultural lands in the breadbasket of the country, St. George has been approved for housing. Apparently Constant Plantation in St George, has indicated 16.91 acres of land are for sale, having been approved for residential and commercial development. It should not go unnoticed these lands are located in Minister Dwight Sutherland’s constituency. It also should not go unnoticed that under the former DLP administration prime agriculture land a stones throw away at Lower Greys was lost to housing.
Everything that use to describe the beauty of a Barbados is being lost as a result of a rash of uneducated and unimaginative decisions. A once pristine landscape is now dotted with concrete. A one minute shower is caused for the Barbados Meteorological Service to issue flood watches and warnings. What the hell are we doing!
Of late the blogmaster has been quietly observing the Barbados space with sadness, although still the proverbial optimists, one cannot help but to be sad.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.