One of the clearest signs of a decaying governance culture in Barbados is our growing indifference to the absence of accountability among public officials, politicians included. It has been months since the recent general election in February, yet across our island reminders of electioneering still cling to utility poles in the form of faded posters. Posters that were affixed by politicians and surrogates aspiring at the time to form the government of Barbados. The sorry condition persists despite repeated requests from the Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) to remove the eyesores, and despite the company’s long standing appeal that poles not be used for political advertising. An appeal mind you that is ignored every election as a matter of course.
There was a time when Barbados was regarded as an orderly society, admired and envied for its stability, its social discipline, and its high position on the human development index (HDI). People migrated from Trinidad, Guyana, and elsewhere to enjoy that sense of order to satisfy peace of mind. Today, the disregard shown by political actors who refuse to lead by example, even in something as basic as respecting BL&P’s request, is no longer trivial given the current state affairs. It represents a thumb on the scale continues to push us toward a more indisciplined society.
The same disregard for law and order appears in the persistent failure to submit accurate campaign finance declarations by political candidates- as required by law. The very same public officials empowered by statute to enforce laws. It begs the question: how can citizens place trust in a governance system charged with making and enforcing laws, when those entrusted with upholding them trivialise said obligations?
Recently a pop up on BU’s dashboard reminded about we started to post blogs about the building of a Hyatt hotel in Barbados since 2014, That is almost 12 years ago. The Mark Maloney led initiative has straddled BOTH Barbados and Democratic Labour Party governments. It has also straddled the tenures of Governors of the Central Bank Dr. Delisle Worrell, Cleveston Haynes and incumbent Dr. Kevin Greenidge.
Under Dr. DeLisle Worrell, Hyatt was identified as a major tourism development, signalling that the project was included in our development recovery strategy. You should recall Mark Maloney became eligible for a duty free car out of the stillborn Hyatt construction.
Cleviston Haynes when it was his turn in the office, explained how serious the Hyatt project was in the economic planning. Check the Central Bank Economic Reviews during his period in office. The same occurred under the most vocal of the three. Dr. DeLisle Worrell who identified Hyatt as one of the major tourism investments expected to drive growth, and even praised Mark Maloney for being the type of entrepreneur Barbados needed to drive development, especially foreign direct investment. Dr. Kevin Greenidge although not as vocal about Hyatt also mentioned it as a good project in the investment pipeline.
What should Barbadians believe of our public officials and members elected to parliament given the foregoing? Is it any wonder citizens have become less inclined to discharge their civic responsibilities? Is it any surprised there is scant regard to respecting tint laws? Is there any surprise the PSV sector operates as an entity responsible for itself? Is it any surprise there is no haste to appoint an Auditor General whose retirement date is confirmed in law? Why do we NOT care that our governance system has been operating in crisis mode since 2018 because there is no elected opposition?
Are we there yet?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.