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Are Ministers earning their 200k package?

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The blogmaster has provided a few matter of fact comments to describe a first impressions of members of the largest Cabinet in the history of Barbados. Ministers who did not face the electorate were given a pass. In fact unelected ministers in Cabinet (Shontal Munroe-Knight, Lisa Cummins, Jerome Walcott) add no special skills to Cabinet and have been selected for ‘other’ reasons.

Miss Santia Bradshaw, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works – her tenure to date is a failed implementation of education reform, chaos at the Licensing Authority and speculation about a $7,500.00 cheque.

Mr. Dwight Sutherland, Minister of Housing will be remembered so far for a bungled Chinese houses project initiated by his predecessor Minister William Duguid in 2021. In addition to continuing the policy of previous governments of carving up good agriculture land located in the heartland of Barbados.

Attorney General Dale Marshall has probably come under the most fire of ministers in Cabinet. Under his watch the case load in the Barbados Courts remains high, violent crime remains high. There has been no significant achievements that has led to change in law and order in Barbados.

Mr. Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture does a good job of creating the perception he is a hard working minister, but, the food import bill has not declined significantly under his watch. The agriculture sector lacks resilience.

Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism presides over a sector benefitting from a resurgence in global travel. He can only be faulted because the sector continues to be affected by the lack of product development.

Minister of Finance

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados will be remembered as one of our most popular prime ministers. She has done well to grow her international reputation. So far in her term she has been able to stablize the economy in the post DLP years from 2018. Her rule is plagued by a lack of visionary and revolutionary change.

Ms. Kay McConney, Minister of Education wins the label as the most controversial member of the Cabinet to date. The issue pundits speculated would have forced her removal from Cabinet, the IDB questionnaire affair, she survived it. It pays to have a close friend in high office.

Mr. Colin Jordan, Minister of Labour and Social Security goes about his job quietly, too quietly for many. He will be remembered so far for presiding over an NISS whose audited financial statements have been unavailable to withstand the scrutiny of the public and satisfy finanial managment best practice and the law.

Mr. Kerri Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has largely operated in the shadow of Prime Minister Mottley. So far the blogmastersees his legacy as an ‘attack dog’ who relishes the job. 

Mrs. Sandra Husbands,Minister of State Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (with responsibility for Higher Education, Technical and Vocational Training) many argue she should be the substantive minister of education. Seems to be a hard worker with a good gift of gab.

Ryan Straughn

Mr. Ryan Straughn, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment the primary of the many financial actors in government responsible for implementing government’s Washington Consensus ideology.

Mr. Wilfred Abrahams, Minister of Home Affairs and Information. He must be remembered for the fiasco at the Government Industrial School. Did heads roll?

William Duguod

Mr. William Duguid,Minister of Planning and Development – Prime Minister’s Office and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for coordinating Infrastructural Projects and development commissions, minister with the longest title and should have been demoted after the failed Chinese houses project, instead he was promoted.

Ms.Marsha Caddle, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology seems to be well intentioned. She has been tested in recent months because of government’s weak IT governance and systems.

Mr. Corey Layne, Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General (with focus on Crime Prevention) given the most difficult job in Cabinet. He has to execute plans that will need time to bear results but he will be measured today by an anxious public concerned about the increase in crime especially among the youth.

Mr. Kirk Humphrey,Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs needs to do more. Old people suffering more than at any time in our history in the opinion of the blogmaster.

Mr. Davidson Ishmael, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness sacked from the Innovation ministry after poor Trident ID implementation was transferred to Health. The PM must see something in him.

Mr. Charles Griffith,Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, government is doing all that it can to retain the St. John seat. Griffith will need to add significantly to his body of work

Adrian Forde

Mr. Adrian Forde,Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy needs to take a drive around Barbados while viewing it through an unfiltered lens.

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142 responses to “Are Ministers earning their 200k package?”

  1. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    It would be foolish to expect these housing projects to die.

    With their cost overrun and subsequent cast infusions, they remain as the least controversial/suspicious way to transfer money from one pocket to the next.

    Wasn’t there a recent start of a next housing project. This time the piggy bank (fatted calf) is smaller… BDS $7M

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Good news for some.

    “In a landmark achievement for hotel and tourism workers, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has finalised a historic agreement that promises substantial improvements in wages and working conditions, just in time for Christmas.”

  3. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    More good news.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/21/govt-extends-fisherfolk-support-to-aid-post-beryl-recovery/

  4. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    “Sometimes it is better to admit a wrong step and move on by explaining what corrective actions will be taken”
    True dat. I must ask what are the corrective actions? Good on DS for his admission, yet one still doesn’t know what those mistakes were? $60M is alot of mistakes.
    “Yes, the Prime Minister has asked for an investigation into HOPE. A team will look at that.”
    What/Who is the referenced team? The GoB via it’s Senators blocked/delayed a PAC look.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @NO

    The corrective action was promised. We wait.

  6. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    NO,

    Sarcasm on the steal house issue?????? Because as the black Americans say, “That math ain’t mathing!”

  7. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    What the hell is Theo on about now???? What awakening? What radical changes????

    This is not the first time that I have commented on the steal houses and Duguid’s bad attitude. What kind of fool believes there to be no corruption or incompetence in our government?????

    And if you were referring to the religious stuff, I was never dogmatic in the first place, never a zealot, never a fundamentalist, never a literalist, always saw religion as an unprovable belief with some utility in society.

    Annoyance is inevitable, it seems.

  8. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Minister elected.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/21/barbados-elected-president-and-host-of-xxxiv-general-assembly-of-minurvi/

  9. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Cuba.

  10. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Donna
    A quick review of public projects, practically everywhere, will show the actual cost frequently exceeds the budgeted cost. Nor is this new. Hence concluding incompetent budgeting is a given. Is this because they cannot budget corruption? Or because the public sector is so incompetent, even the maximum justifiable budget costs are never high enough.
    Yet under budgeting, and cost overruns are essentially the same thing. Perception or sarcasm?
    You pick.

  11. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ NO
    The ‘budgeting’ is usually a convenient number initiated by the politicians that is considered something that will be palatable to the public for the often ill-conceived projects.
    It is designed to look like value for the money up front…where the truth would be frightening.
    -eg, the upcoming South Coast Sewerage Scam is slated to cost $600M while upgrading to tertiary status and piping irrigation water to farmers.

    REST ASSURED that this wiil be another BILLION DOLLAR PLUS failure -with inadequate management, the usual poor maintenance, unavailablility of spares and difficulties in getting parts for the antique junk being offloaded on us by the ‘generous lending agencies’.

    However, once we are committed to the mess, endless money will flow from the treasury – like water… and we will be promise ‘Reports’.. like with Hope, Clico, NIS and STEAL houses

    To be honest.
    Most people who find themselves with the chance to fleece BBs like we have here in Brassbados cannot resist the temptation to do these things… even if they have a conscience.
    ..It is like taking candy from a special needs baby. The don’t care, don’t complain, and don’t even know that they are being fleeced.

    What a place !!

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @ NO

    It is because nobody is held accountable for spending public monies. We like it so.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush tea

    The public servants are responsible for the budget and budgeting?

  14. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    The public servants are responsible for the budget and budgeting?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Steupsss!!!
    The public servants are generally ‘ACTING’ lackies who are put into roles by the politicians to bow and obey their every wish.
    Any sign of ‘balls’ – and their donkeys get transferred to Never-Never-Land.

    As a result, the current set of public servants works HARD to discover what the politician wants, and to kowtow accordingly.

    It THAT what you mean by ‘responsible’??
    …like budgeting for the vaccine scheme..? ..or for the STEAL houses?

    Get real Boss.
    Caswell explained this YEARS ago.

  15. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    David&BT
    I was replying to a comment @Donna questioned.
    It’s fairly obvious the elected have been avoiding accountability, primarily by failing to Report.
    I could be wrong, but cannot recall a single Annual Report by this administration, for a time period since they were elected.
    And they loaded up the Auditor General, such that office is following suit
    Nobody complains publicly, so why not?
    Years ago, when the D’s were still ruling (the glorious years 😯), and began perfecting this accountability dodge, I told a gathering unless they put their remittances into an escrow fund tied to Reporting, this shite would get worse. I was called various unpleasant names, with suggestions, you en from bout here, we are quite capable of handling our affairs.
    We have already seen what happened to one of the longer entities which failed to report. They folded the NIS, and opened a new entity. Burying the sordid NIS past forever, and without a single report on exactly what was transferred to the NISSS. This will be repeated. For without reports, people will be told they have no starting point, so lewwee begin again?
    As David noted, we like it so 😃
    They like it so even more 👍

  16. David Avatar
    David

    Another unhealthy looking successor to the Cabinet ad we battle NCDs in the Barbados.

    Hinkson passes baton to Senator Blackman

    Attorney Edmund Hinkson has passed on the baton in St James North.

    The two-time MP for the constituency announced yesterday that he would not be involved in elective politics in the next General Election, at the same time endorsing Senator Chad Blackman as the man chosen to follow in his footsteps.

    Speaking at his annual Christmas party for children in St James North, Hinkson, a senior counsel, told the media he would not be contesting again.

    “In 2022 when Chad was back during the campaign, I told him I would not be running again and said if he were interested in St James North, I would certainly support him. He has been working closely with me because I’m one of those persons who believes you don’t just come off the street and say you want to run in a seat. You do work in that seat and familiarise yourself with the issues and the people. That’s what Chad has been doing,” he added.

    Blackman said he was still in Geneva as the country’s ambassador, noting time had a way of bringing things full circle.

    “So I’m here to work with him (Hinkson). I’m here working with him for not just the people of St James North, but the people of Barbados,” Blackman said while at the party.

    Hinkson’s revelation comes just a few days after Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne told the House of Assembly that he expected a by-election would be held in a St James constituency sometime in 2025. (BA)

    Source: Nation

  17. David Avatar
    David

    If the principals should have been appointed from the first term why is the union leadership congratulating the public service for making the appointments?

    50 new principals for primary schools next term

    President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Rudy Lovell has welcomed the appointment of the 50 newly appointed principals at primary schools across the country.

    “The Barbados Union of Teachers extends warm congratulations to the 50 newly appointed principals, some of whom will take up leadership positions in primary schools across the island this Hilary term [the others were already placed]. We commend these educators for their dedication, perseverance and commitment to advancing the quality of education in Barbados. Although our preference for these appointments is at the beginning of the first academic term, the union notes with appreciation the Public Service’s efforts to fill these critical vacancies,” Lovell told the Sunday Sun.

    The president said the orientation session for the new principals was a step in the right direction and should set the foundation for effective leadership and school management.

    “The union recognises that the role of a principal is pivotal in fostering an environment where students and staff feel inspired and valued. We underscore the need for continuous professional development, adequate resources and a supportive framework to ensure these principals succeed in their new roles. Furthermore, the BUT remains committed to fostering a spirit of collaboration with the ministry, school administrators and other stakeholders. We look forward to working closely with the newly appointed principals to address the various challenges within the education system and to support the holistic development of our nation’s children,” said Lovell.

    A press release from the ministry late Friday stated that the principals underwent a standardised recruitment and selection process conducted by the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training with a view to filling vacancies for the outstanding post of principal at the primary level.

    Last Thursday, the Ministry of Education conducted an orientation for the newly appointed principals at which they were given words of inspiration, guidance on effective management of their schools and assurance of the ministry’s confidence in their ability to manage the education process by ministry officials.

    In her opening remarks, Chief Education Officer, Ramona Archer-Bradshaw appealed for principals to remember their ‘why’, not to be derailed by some of the challenges, but to continue to be a source of inspiration for the students, staff and parents at their schools. She also emphasised that students and staff should feel excited about coming to school each day and that principals are a critical part of success in education. (BA/PR)

    Source: Nation

  18. David Avatar
    David

    Sour grapes over CDB’s leadership selection

    Criticism emanating from St Lucia on the selection of a new president for the Caribbean Development Bank following the resignation of the previous president, a St Lucian, after he had been sent on administrative leave, can be commiserated with as “sour grapes” but not justified.

    The major issue confronting CDB as a development bank is the 70 per cent implementation deficit associated with all of its borrowing member countries. An issue that has persisted for more than 50 years and one which has been identified by all the other international multilateral lending agencies. An issue that none of the previous presidents of CDB, all economists, were able to deal with.

    Did you know that Barbados, for example, recently had such a massive undisbursed balance of approved funds that CDB was forced to cancel consideration of a US$10 million grant that had been allocated for the River Irrigation Project? This had resulted because the bank had no “head room” that would allow it to provide more funding to Barbados.

    How do you think the poor, frustrated farmers in St Philip feel after more than ten years of waiting for their irrigation system and an adequate water source? No wonder the talk of “food security” in Barbados is little more than lots of “hot air”. It is noted that the Government’s six million gallon extension of the Green Pond at River is less than ten per cent of the water supply needs of the River farmers who also need distribution systems.

    Shackling our development

    The “carrying costs” of those approved, but undisbursed, funds is not only hurting the CDB financially but the associated poor implementation rate is shackling our country’s development. It is high time that something be done about it. To suggest now that only an economist should be selected to lead the CDB is rubbish. If the CDB currently has a skills problem it is that its management team is top heavy with economists, who were once described by President Reagan as “people who would see something working in reality but still question whether it would work in theory”.

    The academic rigour required for certification in economics (an inexact science) is no more than that required for most of the other disciplines including medicine, engineering, law and the sciences. In fact, it may be less.

    Did you know that more than 30 years ago a CDB staff member developed a “project management” computer programme that was essentially a precursor of Microsoft’s “project manager”? How many project managers in Barbados actually use “project manager”? How many project managers in Barbados have prepared an “implementation plan”, which is a necessary and crucial part of the “project manager” programme?

    Congratulations to the CDB board of governors for having the courage to make the necessary change to meet our region’s need in selecting an experienced and qualified engineer as president of CDB.

    – Peter Webster

    Source:Nation

  19. David Avatar
    David

    PLANS FOR BAY STREET

    HIGH RISE

    Commercial shops set for Coles Building as Maloney takes over

    By Maria Bradshaw mariabradshaw@nationnews.com

    A multistorey car park with commercial shops is being planned for the area on Bay Street, The City, where Coles Building now stands.

    The Sunday Sun understands that prominent businessman Mark Maloney, who is constructing the multimillion-dollar Hyatt-Ziva hotel on the beach front opposite this site, has acquired the property, which was listed for sale back in 2021 for US$3 million.

    It was previously owned by Massy Properties.

    The Coles Building, which is also next door to the old Empire Theatre building, was once a huge commercial hub with spaces occupied by the Barbados Water Authority, a tertiary institution, hair salons and other shops.

    Boarded up

    The building is now boarded up, but a section is still occupied by fast food eatery Chicken Barn and the administrative offices of the Barbados School Meals Service.

    When contacted, Maloney confirmed that he now owned the property but said he had no plans for it as yet.

    “I purchased the property to develop it and will decide what I will do with it as the Hyatt gets going, as well as other projects in the area,” he told this newspaper.

    Asked about the tenants, Maloney said: “For now it will stay as it is and be used by our group as we build the Hyatt and some tenants will stay and some will not.”

    Sunday Sun investigations revealed that Maloney’s company, Bayville Development Incorporated, had submitted plans to the Planning & Development Department for the redevelopment of Coles Building.

    When contacted, Senior Minister Dr William Duguid, who oversees Planning & Development, confirmed that a plan had been submitted but said he was not aware if it was connected to the Hyatt Hotel.

    “The area being the Coles Building has a board approval for a threestorey building for parking and retail – parking at the top and retail at the bottom,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Paul Hyman, whose family has been operating Chicken Barn along that street for the past

    Continued on Page 4A.

    zoom-in

    Coles Building

    (at right) has been acquired by businessman Mark Maloney (inset) and will be transformed into a multistorey car park with retail spaces. Chicken Barn restaurant has been a staple along Bay Street for the past 60 years and hopes to remain when the project gets under

    way. (Picture by Maria Bradshaw.)

    Agreement with new landlords

    60 years, said he was hoping to be included in the new plans for the area.

    “I have permission to stay there until they are ready for that building. When they are ready for the building, then I will talk with them to see if they have a little space for me. We have an arrangement and agreement with the new landlords that we can remain there until there is need to use our space.

    “The whole building will be demolished but I am not sure what they are putting there,” he said.

    Hyman said his father started Chicken Barn “two doors down” from its location.

    “We have been here now nearly 60 years. The new owners are very accommodating in that they understand the need for us to be in this area,” he said.

    The multimillion-dollar Hyatt hotel project is scheduled to get under way next month, generating some 1 500 jobs.

    The all-inclusive hotel, which will stretch from the Pierhead along Lower Bay Street, will include 367 hotel rooms and 28 luxury condominiums.

  20. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Nuff nuff tourisses arriving.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/22/grantley-adams-international-airport-marks-significant-milestone/

  21. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Minister working hard.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/22/bradshaw-make-a-difference-foundation-spread-christmas-cheer/

  22. David Avatar
    David

    It s true Hants, tourists are everywhere, like flies. We continue to feel good about building our foundation on sandy ground.

  23. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Peter Webster loves to stir the pot

  24. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    earning a living.

  25. Goeht Avatar
    Goeht

    I told them it was a lie
    A check is unable to fly
    They told me checks had flown before
    I said, there will be no cheque flight in 2024
    Open the window, open the doors
    Watch the desks and watch the floors

    We stood watching all through the night
    There was no check, there was no flight
    My dear Hants it was so good to hear
    Santia still was able to spread Christmas cheer

    Santia… The Santa of Barbados
    God bless.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @Minister Weir

    Slow sales hurting vendors

    WITH JUST TWO DAYS left till Christmas, some vendors at the Cheapside Public Market in The City are not singing a merry tune as far as sales are concerned.

    For them, business has been impacted by a number of factors, ranging from an increase in wholesale prices to a scarcity of popular items such as sorrel and sweet potatoes.

    Vendor Holly Millington said getting a steady supply of produce to sell was becoming increasingly difficult.

    “I’m not getting anything to sell these days because the planters ain’t planting. I am a farmer who can’t farm because the heat is too much and I find that the soil keeps drying back up, so you use more water and it costs you more.

    Green peas scarce

    “We used to have a lot of green peas but now they are scarce. I only see one sorrel person this morning and while we normally have a lot of sorrel, we got none. A lot of the stuff we accustomed having for Christmas there’s none,” Millington told the

    DAILY NATION on Saturday. Another vendor, Abigail Ali, spoke on the rising wholesale prices placing the cost of ginger at $6 a pound and eddoes at $4 a pound.

    “Vegetables are expensive just as the provisions. The sweet potatoes, you normally pay $20 a rod, now you paying $5 a pound to get it so its more expensive to get. You’ve got to sell it at $7 to make a profit, so when the people come they’re looking at it and moving off. Everything gone skyrocket high,” she said.

    Sorrel was the topic of conversation among many of the vendors who lamented its absence on their trays.

    Just three vendors were seen with sorrel in stock and they had only three small bags by noon.

    Preston Rhoden, who plants his own sorrel, said many of his crops died last year but this year brought a positive turnaround.

    Vendor and farmer Errol Porte counted his blessings given the challenges he faced to grow sorrel for the last two years.

    “It is the weather; the rain affects the growth of the sorrel. If they get too much water, they damp off as having constant rain is what causes the problem, because for the last two years, I didn’t get a sorrel at all.

    “I drained the ground by ploughing it and gave it a deeper drain so the water wasn’t able to settle or remain in the ground too long. That’s the reason why the sorrel came through,” he said.

    Hit by thieves

    Porte added that the demand for sorrel was so high that thieves had raided his farm in search of it.

    He said the problems facing him and other vendors in the market were a symptom of wider issue affecting farmers in the country – from praedial larceny, the destruction of crops by pests to the impact of climate change.

    “I see this climate change in the last two years worsening. I normally write down the length of period that a crop would take to mature. Things like cauliflower would take about seven and a half to eight weeks. Right now I have cauliflower, which I planted the same period of time to ripe for Christmas and they still have two more weeks before you can cut them. Tuesday (tomorrow) will be ten weeks and the head is only as big as a silver dollar,” he stated.

    (JRN)

    Source: Nation

  27. David Avatar
    David

    Debt Swaps are the latest flavour to deal with the debt. A good approach?

    Debt swaps ‘no silver bullet’

    by SHAWN CUMBERBATCH

    shawncumberbatch@nationnews.com

    BARBADOS HAS completed two debt swaps and Government is now contemplating a third one, based on comments from Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn.

    However, a group of international organisations is advising Barbados and other countries in the Global South that “instead of debt swaps, we need urgent debt cancellation and grant-based climate finance”.

    Their recommendations come in the new brief, Debt Swaps Won’t Save Us. It was prepared by experts at Asian Peoples’ Movement On Debt And Development, Climate & Community Institute, Debt Justice, European Network On Debt And Development, The Latin American Network for Economic and Social Justice, Christian Aid, MENA Fem Movement for Economic, Development and Ecological Justice, and ActionAid.

    “Debt swaps have been gaining attention as a proposed solution to address the intersecting crises of debt and climate change. However, these mechanisms are far from the silver bullet they are often presented to be,” the report states.

    “While they might offer temporary relief, debt swaps fall short in addressing the structural injustices underpinning the debt crisis and climate financing in the Global South. Worse, they pose risks that may perpetuate harm to vulnerable communities.”

    The organisations are recommending some urgent solutions for addressing the intersecting debt and climate crises.

    They say rich countries “must cancel the debt, across all creditors for all countries that need it, free from conditions. This must go alongside climate finance, not replace it.”

    “Accelerate debt cancellation by compelling private lender participation in debt restructuring through legislation in major jurisdictions, including New York and the United Kingdom,” they suggested in the report.

    “Promote systemic debt architecture reform by agreeing to a United Nations (UN) framework convention on sovereign debt. The Fourth UN International Financing for Development Conference is a key opportunity to open an intergovernmental process towards the debt architecture reform that Global South countries need.”

    Another urgent recommendation was for an “automatic debt standstill and cancellation in the wake of a catastrophic external shock”.

    “When a climate-extreme event such as a tropical storm takes place that significantly worsens a country’s economic outlook, there should be an immediate, interest-free suspension of all debt payments from that country across all external creditors. This must go alongside additional, grant-based financing for addressing loss and damage,” the brief stated.

    The report further called for rich countries to pay their climate and ecological debts by providing grant-based climate finance.

    “To deliver this, a new post-2025 climate finance goal must be agreed at COP29 via the New Collective Quantified Goal process, which delivers grant-based, public, predictable, accessible, new and additional climate finance in line with the needs of Global South countries, across mitigation, adaptation and Loss and Damage,” it stated.

    In September 2022, the Government announced the completion of a $300 million debt-for-nature swap that created long-term sustainable financing for marine conservation.

    Then earlier this month a $600 million debtfor- climate swap was concluded, generating $250 million in fiscal savings to be channelled into new resilience investments. This included upgrading the South Coast sewage treatment plant into a modern water reclamation facility.

    Speaking in Parliament last Tuesday while piloting debate on a resolution on the Barbados Fiscal Framework 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 and 20252026 to 2027-2028, Straughn said that a debtfor- social swap was on the cards for Barbados next year.

    “Next year, 2025, we will be looking at constructing a debt-for-social swap where we will be advancing more monies into education, into health, into citizen security, as well as housing in order to make sure that we can touch the very things that matter for the ordinary Bajan and the things that will be critical for the strategic direction of this country,” he told the House of Assembly.

    The brief observed that debt swaps “cancel or restructure part of a government’s external sovereign debt in exchange for commitments to agreed development goals”.

    “Debt- for-climate swaps liberate funds to be allocated to climate change adaptation or mitigation, and debt- for-nature swaps liberate funds to be allocated to conservation goals,” the authors noted.

    The report stated: “Debt swaps can take various forms, ranging from relatively simple debt swaps with external bilateral creditors, to more complex buy-back swaps involving external commercial debt and third-party actors, such as those completed by Barbados, Belize, Ecuador and Gabon in the last few years. At least ten climate or nature swaps have been completed in the last five years.”

    The following seven reasons why debt swaps “won’t save us” were provided.

    • Debt-for-climate and nature swaps do not meaningfully reduce debt levels.

    • Debt swaps can fail to deliver on nature and climate goals.

    • Debt swaps are based on conditionality.

    • Debt swaps lack transparency and undermine local communities’ participation.

    • Debt swaps can be slow, burdensome and expensive.

    • Debt swaps can legitimatise illegitimate debt.

    • Debt swaps distract attention away from Global North countries’ unfulfilled commitments and from the solutions we urgently need.

    The recent World Bank/International Monetary Fund report Debt For Development Swaps: An Approach Framework advised that “countries that are potentially good candidates for swaps are those at ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ risk of debt distress with a sustainable outlook facing temporary liquidity pressures, usually smaller economies, and where the transaction can be impactful in providing critical short-term relief and improving debt sustainability prospects”.

    Countries with unsustainable debt levels or those requiring – or already undergoing – comprehensive debt restructuring “are not suitable candidates for debt swaps, which are not appropriate tools for restoring debt sustainability”.

    https://barbadosunderground.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-3.30.51 AM-669×480.png

    MINISTER IN the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn says a debt-for-social swap is coming next year. (FP)

    Source: Nation

  28. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    https://nationnews.com/2024/12/23/hinkson-mum-on-by-election/

    ” the Dems will have to answer for the fact that for the last 12 years, for the 12 years I was MP, that they have done nothing for the people of St James North”

  29. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Useful information and perspective on the debt swaps. The seven issues with them are all valid. They definitely should not be signed with broad smiles of accomplishment. The lack of transparency issue leapt out at me. Also the conditionality of the debt swap. Does that mean that if, for any reason,vwe don’t met the goals outlined in the swap, the agreement is cancelled?

    Judging from our recent failures in implementing a simple steal house project, I would be very worried.

  30. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Trump could also take over the strategically located former base at Harrison Point.

    https://nationnews.com/2024/12/23/trump-threatens-to-try-to-regain-control-of-panama-canal/

  31. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Aunty Santia’s Christmas Party.

  32. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The real Trudeau bless his soul.

  33. David Avatar
    David


    Country Report No. 2024/368 : Barbados: Fourth Reviews Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Alternate Executive Director for Barbados

    DECEMBER 23, 2024 The authorities’ implementation of the home-grown Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT 2022) plan and their ambitious climate policy agenda remain strong, supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Economic growth in 2024 has been robust and inflation has continued to moderate, on the back of easing global commodity prices and lower domestic service prices. The external position continued to strengthen, and international reserves rose further to US$1.6 billion at end-September 2024, supporting the exchange rate peg. The near-term outlook remains positive. While Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to the fishing sector and some coastal infrastructure, the macroeconomic impact is expected to be relatively moderate, in part reflecting its occurrence during the off-peak tourist season. Nevertheless, the shock once again demonstrated Barbados’ vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. In this regard, the authorities remain committed to improving the fiscal position and maintaining debt sustainability, while creating fiscal space to increase needed investment, including to boost climate resilience. At the same time, the government is continuing to advance structural reforms to achieve more inclusive, sustainable growth. 

    READ MORE

  34. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    The IMF have reached rock bottom.
    Now they are reporting formerly quantifiable terms using words such as robust, moderate, and easing, which of course mean nothing.
    Difficult to imagine how given the USA exposure in its funding model, it can escape a second Trump term unscathed.

  35. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ NO
    Ask Hants if you doubt Bushie…
    When you are fishing, and you get a bite, you often give some ‘slack’ to allow the bait to take hold.
    Why are you surprised that the IMF have not yet started to reel in…?

    Give it a few more months…

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    There is no reason to ‘reel in’ yet, tourists arrivals is at record highs and we just imported several garbage trucks. The crap will it the fan if we continue to fail to plan for the downside to the positive current global economic conditions.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    2025: politics without change

    CURRENTLY, THERE ARE AT LEAST five Caribbean countries in which General Elections are officially due in 2025: Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A 2025 election is also possible in St Lucia, though officially due in 2026. On the basis of this election roster, 2025 is expected to be a politicallycharged period for the region.

    While a busy electoral season may be at hand, it is less likely that 2025 will be a year of fundamental change and transformation. This contradictory condition of heightened politics with limited change neatly summarises Caribbean politics today.

    Since the mid-1990s, Caribbean politics has been locked into heightened incorporation into global capitalism. Our politics has essentially been an uninspiring debate between a group of political actors mildly committed to carving a space for “domestic autonomy” on one hand, and on the other, those who have generally capitulated to global capitalist absorption, with little capacity or intellectual or ideological will to carve a space for domestic interests.

    Readers may fill in the blanks to identify Party A from Party B in each country, but essentially, there are no large fundamental differences in policy options among the various groups contending for power in the Caribbean. What can be identified are varying degrees of technocratic competence from one leader to the other, but there is no leader or party that offers a fundamental break with the politics that has taken root since the 2000s.

    Tremendous emphasis

    This is why for example, despite tremendous emphasis being placed on “constitutional reform” since the 2000s, there has been no fundamental overthrow of the inherited British constitutions, except in Guyana. The Barbados case of constitutional reform is only the latest confirmation of this fact.

    Similarly, despite the expected flurry of General Elections in 2025, the most likely outcome will be an unchanged politics. This is not a suggestion in anticipation of incumbent victories in 2025.

    Instead, it is an assertion that whatever the coming electoral outcomes, Caribbean people should not expect any fundamental shifts at the domestic level. (In Jamaica, while an opposition Peoples Nationalist Party (PNP) victory may be possible based on the last local government results, there is no expectation that PNP leader Mark Golding offers a fundamental break from the politics of Andrew Holness).

    External environment

    Any possibility of fundamental shift in Caribbean politics in 2025, is likely to emanate from the external environment. If the conformist politics of the Caribbean has been the result of the assumed permanence of western hegemonic capitalism, then the evidence of cracks in the existing westernshaped global order provides the clearest possibility for genuine change in 2025.

    Observers of Caribbean politics interested in genuine transformation, should keep their eyes fixed, not on the stale and uninspiring electoral politics of 2025, but on the fissures and disruptions which may occur in the external environment.

    Tennyson Joseph is Associate Professor of Political Science at North Carolina Central University. Email tjoe2008@live.com

    Source: Nation

  38. David Avatar
    David

    No comment!

    Sutherland gets nod

    MINISTER OF HOUSING, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, has been elected as the president of the 34th General Assembly of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Housing and Urban Development for Latin America and the Caribbean (XXXIV MINURVI).

    This appointment took place during the recently concluded 33rd Assembly held in Belem, Brazil on December 12 and 13.

    This significant development will see Barbados hosting the XXXIV Assembly for the first time next year, marking another major milestone for the country and the region, as the esteemed conference was last held in the Caribbean ten years ago. ( BGIS)

  39. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    earning his.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/28/youth-focused-crime-strategy-in-the-works/

  40. Trump Supporter Avatar
    Trump Supporter

    A gang is seldom seem as a good thing and thiese gangsters can be called the Mottley Crew.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    Our good friend Minister Weir.

    Barbados still on track, says Weir

    Despite setbacks caused by climate change, Barbados remains on track to contribute meaningfully to CARICOM’s 25 by 25 initiative, aimed at reducing the region’s extra-regional food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

    Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir outlined Government’s strategic plans to bolster the agricultural sector during an interview with the Sunday Sun, emphasising the shift toward climate-smart agriculture and technological innovation.

    “We’ve faced significant challenges from persistent rainfall and prolonged droughts,” Weir said.

    “These conditions made planning and cultivation difficult. However, we’ve made strides in key areas, especially poultry production, and we are determined to keep pushing forward.”

    A cornerstone of Government’s plan is strengthening support for small farmers through initiatives like the $2 million revolving fund, administered in collaboration with the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS). This fund provides farmers with access to loans, enabling them to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies. Large-scale farmers are also being encouraged to adopt state-of-the-art climate-smart tunnels, which offer a controlled environment for yearround production.

    “We are working with both small and large farmers to increase production using technology that minimises the impact of adverse weather conditions,” Weir explained.

    The minister announced partnerships with companies from Canada and The Netherlands to introduce advanced agricultural technologies. These systems will be displayed at this year’s Agrofest in the Ministry of Agriculture’s tent through a virtual presentation, providing Barbadians with a glimpse into the future of farming.

    “We are transitioning to growing systems that can produce crops like lettuces, strawberries, tomatoes, and sweet peppers efficiently, regardless of climatic challenges,” Weir said.

    He also highlighted plans to assemble and deploy these systems by mid-year, coupled with training programmes to help farmers adapt to modern agricultural practices.

    A local investor has already started developing a technology-driven farm, which the minister pledged to support publicly at its launch.

    Weir detailed several projects currently under way to help Barbados meet its 25 by 25 obligations. The onion project involves cultivating over 100 acres of onions under contractual agreements to ensure farmers have guaranteed markets for their produce. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the need for imported onions.

    Technology

    In addition, transitioning to technology-driven cultivation for leafy greens, cucumbers and sweet peppers will address import dependency and provide fresh produce more consistently. The recently approved tissue culture lab aims to accelerate crop production by providing highquality planting material.

    “These are concrete steps that will help us lower the food import bill while ensuring sustainable agricultural growth,” Weir added.

    The minister stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in communicating agricultural plans to the public. “It’s vital not to make promises that cannot be delivered. Projects like the onions initiative and the tissue culture lab are realities we can rely on,” he said.

    Looking ahead, he hinted at other potential developments, including an agricultural census to enhance projections and planning. However, he was cautious about discussing initiatives that were not yet approved by Cabinet.

    Acknowledging the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Weir remained optimistic about Barbados’ ability to meet its commitments.

    “We may not achieve a 25 per cent reduction in every area, but we are targeting those aspects of the food import bill that we can control. Through innovation and determination, we are forging ahead,” he said. (CLM)

    Source: Nation

  42. David Avatar
    David

    The heading of the article should be – BLP and DLP a failure on agriculture.

    BLP ‘a failure’ on agriculture

    The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is calling for an about-turn on the management of agriculture in Barbados.

    Spokesperson on agriculture and the green economy Amoy Gilding Bourne said some of this administration’s policies on the sector were baffling and put the nation’s food security at risk, compounded by food and water shortages.

    “The finger of blame points squarely at the present Government, whose six-year tenure has been marked by mismanagement and devastation of the vital agricultural sector. What we need is a bold blend of innovative solutions, decisive policy interventions, and sustainable practices to address the challenges confronting Barbados’ agriculture,” Gilding Bourne said in a statement to the media.

    One of the keys to this was recognising the links between water, food, and energy and for Government to stop converting agricultural land to non-agricultural ventures and housing.

    “It is both baffling and alarming to witness yet another 6.35 acres of agricultural land being directed towards housing, a decision that follows the infamous HOPE project fiasco. Recent revelations by the Auditor General about the botched construction and acquisition of 150 prefabricated steel-frame housing units from China put a spotlight on the administration’s costly oversights, with an additional $29 million in cost overruns,” she said.

    The spokesperson added, while housing was important it should not trump agriculture and a small nation like Barbados had finite land resources for food.

    “The Prime Minister’s ambition to construct 10 000 homes by 2025 is but a dream and appears irreconcilable with achieving food security.”

    Gilding Bourne did not only criticise, she also offered some solutions, including ways to combat water scarcity.

    “Heavy investments in rainwater harvesting and effective desalination plant management are indispensable. The hotel sector must step up in national water conservation efforts, adopting solutions like treated water, which are successful elsewhere. Developing a network of freshwater catchment zones, drawing inspiration from COW Williams’ laudable work at Lears, could replenish aquifers and alleviate water scarcity,” Gilding Bourne suggested.

    “Implementing a pumping station in Oistins could harness rainwater runoff before it reaches the sea, treating it for household and agricultural use to further address water issues.”

    A national campaign to bolster local food production and consumption and the integration of agriculture into the primary school curriculum were other suggestions.

    The DLP spokesperson said agriculture was being left behind in the face of other projects and queried whether the loan facility to provide water for farmers in St George and St Philip along the old railway line would be successful “This administration’s track record reveals a pattern of over-promising and under-delivering, particularly in sectors vital to national prosperity. As a result, the agricultural community remains understandably wary, viewing this new project as a potential mirage in a desert of failed initiatives. Without concrete action and evidence of genuine commitment, this project risks becoming just another chapter in the ongoing saga of governmental neglect and mismanagement.

    Also coming in for criticism was the move to grow rice here in Barbados.

    “Small farmers already grapple with water access issues. Prioritising the cultivation of sustainable crops like cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes makes more sense. By addressing factors behind declining crop production, we can strengthen these sectors. The increased acceptance of breadfruit is promising, urging us to plant more trees, focusing particularly on the more desirable yellow-meat varieties,” Gilding Bourne suggested.

    (PR/SAT)

    Source: Nation

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