There is a great contradiction many of us are grappling with after the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) 30–0 victory in the recent general election. How can so many issues be of grave concern, yet there is overwhelming support among those who felt inclined to exercise their civic right? The potholes, rising crime, the inability to produce timely audited financial statements for too many state entities – including the National Insurance Scheme – the unresolved HOPE investigation, and the long‑promised but still unrealised suite of transparency legislation.
Then there is the topical issue of traffic congestion, which has somehow managed to overshadow crime in recent weeks – if such a thing is even possible. One would think that if many hands make light work, the bariffle of ministers in the Cabinet should be able to tackle multiple problems at once. Instead, what we continually witness is a shuffling of chairs on the deck: Jerome Walcott kicked from Health to some vaguely named ministry, Indar Weir shifted after his unsuccessful attempt to create a “beautiful entity” with CoEnergy, the same with an unelected Lisa Cummins, and others.
This week’s seven day wonder is the noise surrounding a $4 million allocation to Carifesta that has somehow mushroomed to over $30 million. Government’s rehearsed reply, of course, is that the money is a longterm investment in the cultural sector and should not be viewed as expenditure on Carifesta alone.
The blogmaster has seen it all before — Hardwoods, now HOPE, GEMS now Paradise/Four Seasons), Grotto now Clearwater, and so on and so on. Is it any wonder that some of us cannot be bothered any longer? Why should we continue to beat our heads against a wall? We continue because the civicminded among us care about this country. We keep going because we understand what happens when good people surrender. Meanwhile, it is sad to observe how the so-called influencers on social media are easily manipulated for a photo opportunity.
How is Minister Mia Mottley allowed to message the public that government will implement bypasses and other yet‑to‑be‑revealed solutions to relieve traffic congestion, while four government sponsored sessions are scheduled to solicit public feedback? Perhaps the public now understands the rush to hold general elections before a few contentious decisions are taken.
We have a Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce, who promised two years ago to investigate a slapping incident involving a member of the Barbados Police Service (BPS) and report back to Barbadians. Nothing. Could it be that the new minister responsible for the BPS will hold Boyce to his word? The same minister who left the Ministry of Transport in shambles – including the Transport Authority – and was able to exploit the same for clients while out of office?
And about Carifesta: what exactly is the plan for that wooden structure lording over the skyline to the east west of the Newton Roundabout headed to the airport? It is a sight for sore eyes.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.