Sorry Performance

There is now more evidence that this present DLP Opposition will go down as the worse this country has had since adult suffrage in 1951.   Even at this stage, the DLP Opposition neither understands nor appreciates their role in national affairs. To Barbadians, this Opposition is seeking to gain political mileage on the backs of those challenged persons attending the Challenor School and this behaviour shows up their politics at its worse.  The BLP has always shown high regard for the challenged in our society and has always sought ways to improve their lives. This BLP administration has increased the subvention so as to meet the operating deficit and have sought to meet their capital needs.  This contrasts sharply with the actions of the Dems, especially when Thompson was Minister of Finance because he did not make adequate provision for their funding.

For Thompson to seek to link the funding for the challenged persons at the Challenor School with World Cup Cricket expenditure must be politics at its lowest ever. Anyone with a modicum of understanding and commonsense and that must surely include Thompson, knows that there is absolutely no link between the two.  This is just another attempt by Thompson to work on his seriously tarnished image even at the expense of both the challenged and an event such as World Cup Cricket.  Everyone has agreed that the response by Prime Minister Arthur was fitting and highly commendable.

   World Cup Cricket 2007 is another opportunity for us to inform the rest of the world that Barbados is ready for the next step.  For this region to undertake such a venture, and as of now, making good success at it, speaks volume for our capacity to become part of the developed world.  The benefits from hosting such an event, especially for Barbados to be hosting the finals, are enormous and must be seized upon. This is one time when the Opposition should in a serious way be joining hands with all Barbadians way in order to promote this country. 

Barbadians must be deeply disappointed that Thompson would continue to snipe at the event in the way he is doing.  His failure to meaningfully debate the sunset legislation, taking three weeks to mount some sort of reply, clearly shows his unreadiness to lead this country. This country must take full advantage of any opportunity to showcase what it is capable of. Barbados has a lot to show the world. The development of Barbados is a success story that needs to be told.  Barbadians have taken what God has so freely given and used it in such a way that, of over 200 nations, we stand at number 30 in terms of human development.  We are hosting the World Cup of golf in December and this would be yet another opportunity to show the world that we are getting there.  This DLP opposition is still not taking its job seriously and their showing in Parliament is a case in point.  Week after week their lack of preparation and seriousness of purpose become more and more apparent.  Items that have been on the order paper for weeks have not been discussed by their parliamentary group.  Do they spend all of their time trying to cut down one another?  One need not wonder as the vibes out of George Street and Parliament confirms this. This country stand assured that this BLP administration will continue making this country stronger and better.  The fact that the Dems are unprepared to pull their weight is a case of national concern. 

Economy Performing Well

 

Outlook for the rest of 2006

In 2006, the Barbadian economy is

expected to equal its 2005 performance,

with real GDP set to grow by about 4

percent, led once more by the nontraded

sectors. In the run-up to Cricket

World Cup 2007, non-traded growth

should continue to be driven by

construction, with its positive influence

on wholesale and retail, transport,

storage and communications and

business and other services. On the

traded side, the current pick-up in

tourism and manufacturing activity is

projected to continue for the rest of the

year,

First quarter report from the Central Bank of Barbados.

 Again another source showing the Barbados Economy continues to improve. Manufacturing as well has rebounded and we have seen an almost $ 80 M increase in exports lead mainly by the export of Rum.

Contrary to reports by the Barbados Free Press. The Barbados Economy is by no means under threat in fact it is growing at a tremendous rate.

We believe that this growth will continue way after world cup and although Government Direct Taxes have been reduced due to reductions in income tax and property tax rates. Government Revenue has been maintained by the indirect Tax (VAT) and the improved bouyancy of the economy on a whole.

Arthur Blasts Thompson and sets record Straight

 

The Prime Minister in a response to David Thompson has severely blasted Thompson on his own record and at the same time has informed the people of Barbados about the programs his Government has put in place to support the Challenor School.

He noted:

The proposal which was submitted by the school in support of its application for the $1 million indicated that the facility was intended to be self-financing, after the initial investment expenditure.

It is now clear the facility will not be in a position to be self-financing, as originally envisioned. Hence, it has made representation to be provided with an annual subvention to meet its operating deficit.

Clearly, there was no need for a subvention hitherto because the operations of the Adult Facility were being met from the proceeds of the loan.

Now that a need clearly exists for a subvention, that need will be fully met, in pursuant of Government’s policy to meet the operating deficits of our special education schools. That decision has been made, and has been conveyed to the school.

There will be a need for a supplementary of over $200 000. The supplementary will therefore not be brought to Parliament next week (last Tuesday) as you have urged.

There remains an unexpended balance of $98 000 which can carry the facility for another two to three months.

Arthur then blasted Thompson for saying that the development was “a crying shame which tarnishes all of us who hold public office and purport to act on behalf of those who are less fortunate and should not be left behind”.

“You can, on this matter, only be referring to the quite disgraceful situation you left behind as Minister of Finance of not providing a subvention to fully meet the requirements of the Challenor School. This has now been corrected.

“As I indicated earlier it is now the policy of this Government of Barbados to offset, in full, the operating deficits of our special education schools.

“The subvention to the two special schools (including the Learning Centre) is now $1 million.

“This compares with the $190 000 you made available in the 1994/95 Estimates of Expenditure, when there was no policy in place to fully meet the schools’ deficit. The subvention will be increased, consistent with the policy that is now in place,” Arthur stated.

All of this was already highlighted in this blog and it is unfortunate and ridiculous that some people on the other side would like to make this issue a political football. Well this time they have certainly scored an own goal.

Politics of Complacency

Politics of complacency 

IT IS WITH SOME REGULARITY that the DLP under Thompson now finds itself attending sittings of the House of Assembly quite unprepared and in no position to conduct the business of the people.

At least on three occasions within the last two months, the DLP has had to beg the leader of Government Business for additional time to prepare themselves for debates. The Tuesday sitting of the House for June 20, 2006 was no exception.

The Order Paper contained twelve items for which notices were all issued. That Thompson was in his seat at the start of the session was quite an unusual sight since it has become a custom for DLP parliamentarians not to be in their seats until an hour or two after the start of debates. It was therefore not unreasonable to assume that Thompson was up to something politically nasty and that it would not have been too long before it was revealed.

It was immediately following the call of Head 12 (Emergency Management Bill) as the Government Business of the day that Thompson rose to his feet to object to the debate on the Bill on the grounds that it had only been on the Order Paper for two weeks.

He charged that the courtesy of notifying him of the items to be debated was not accorded to him and that the Opposition wanted more time to prepare itself. But the Rt Hon Prime Minister had to remind Thompson that the House of Assembly was a serious place where serious people come to do serious work on behalf of this country and its people.

Clearly the simple tasks of shadowing ministries are proving to be too difficult an exercise for the DLP and one wonders if they cannot meet this routine task, then, how will they manage the more physically rigorous and intellectually challenging work of leading ministries and the country.

Barbadians must not take lightly this kind of callousness being displayed by the opposition DLP. Regular absenteeism, late attendance at sittings of the House and the continuing lack of preparation for debates all reflect the level of complacency and blatant disregard for the well-being of Barbadians. These are the same characteristics of a former DLP Government that brought this country to its knees in 1994.

This column continues to remind Barbadians of the false perception that the DLP parliamentarians are a united group. The reality could not be further from the truth and the damning evidence of this reality was in full glare of the public during the debate on the Emergency Management Bill in the House on Tuesday.

It was clear that Michael Lashley had differed greatly from the position taken by his party leader on the Bill. He came to the House in time to make his contribution in support of the Bill and then left. Obviously he was not intending to play along with the orchestrated political game of his leader.

His departure, therefore, ensured that when the divide was called he was not there and there is nothing Thompson can do about it. All this talk about following the leader is a joke. These kinds of political manoeuvres highlight the fragility of Thompson’s short-lived political supremacy and his inability to hold together a party that has now evolved into a coalition party.

There is no doubt that Thompson will be defeated in the next general elections, only this time he will suffer a political rebellion within his own party that will make the Sandiford rebellion of 1994 look like child’s play. Stay tuned Barbadians.

Vendors to Benefit

 

Taken from the Nation

LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS in the Senate, Erskine Griffith, has denied that vendors would be excluded from benefiting from the staging of Cricket World Cup 2007.

He made this denial yesterday in the Senate while introducing the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Bill, 2006.

While recognising that the event was not owned by Barbados, Griffith pointed out this did not exclude vendors from benefiting from the event.

Griffith told the Upper Chamber visitors to the island would use the occasion to visit historic sites in the island.

According to Griffith, this would give communities across the island an opportunity to cash in on any business.

The Government senator said he knew of some communities across the country that were already planning events to attract visitors attending Cricket World Cup 2007.

He said vendors at Oistins, Christ Church, were already making preparations for the event.

Griffith pointed out that with the enactment of the Sunset Legislation, permission would have to be sought to ply one's trade at Kensington Oval.

Noting that Cricket World Cup 2007 was an unusual event, Griffith stressed that special care had to be taken in staging the event.

Significant benefits will accrue to the Barbados Economy by hosting CWC 2007 and we expect these benefits to last for years to come through our Legacy Program.

Taxi Drivers, Hotel Operators large and small, Supermarkets large and small, Rum Shops, Vendors, Art and Craft Sales, Food and Drink manufacturers and Suppliers, Doctors and Massage Therapists, Hairdressers and Sport and Tour Operators and the list goes on and on. Even with just the English on tour for a few days registers a sharp increase in our receipts. Imagine when the whole of the cricketing world is on tour.

Let us continue to strive to make this event the best Cricket World Cup. Let us Show the world that we may be small in size but big in ability attitude and aptitiude.

Henry Unfair

From the Nation Newspaper June 2005 

THE CHALLENOR ADULT TRAINING FACILITY has received a life-line from Government.

Last week project manager June Blackman, announced that the St Thomas institution, which provides skills training for mentally challenged adults, was in deep financial problems and may be forced to close its doors come September.

However, Minister of Social Transformation Hamilton Lashley told WEEKEND NATION yesterday that Government would be providing financial assistance to the school.

Edison Alleyne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Transformation, met with Blackman and other officials last week to discuss the problems at the centre.

He explained that the Challenor Creative Arts and Training Centre had received a loan of $1 million in 2002 from the Social Investment Fund to cover its start-up cost when it opened in 2002. However it was revealed that the bulk of the money went towards paying administrative costs which is estimated at $300 000 annually.

In addition, the Ministry of Education increased its subvention to the centre by $126 000 to $600 000 annually from April 1 this year. But, it was also revealed that despite this, there was a shortfall in funding of $300 000.

To solve these problems the centre was requested to write the Ministry of Education seeking supplemental funds in the amount of $255 000 to cover this shortfall and to write the Ministry of Social Transformation for financial assistance to cover two months of operations.

In addition, it will receive $75 000 from the Rural Development Commission to cover its expenditure until the end of September 2005 and was asked to write the RDC requesting that the loan of $1 million be converted into a grant.

It is obvious from this article  that Government has been offerring significant assistance to the school for a long time. And we also have the Childrens Development Center which is funded by the Government and other schools for these kids.

It is unfair for Mr Henry to even suggest that Government has done nothing to help this private facility eventhough we also have other Government Owned facilities which continue to provide an excellent service. 

Maybe this is just him Grand Standing to score  get Political Points.

Arthur Legacy Unfolding

AS PRIME MINISTER with lead responsibility for CSME (CARICOM Single Market and Economy), Prime Minister Owen Arthur must have felt a deep sense of achievement as Barbados hosted a number of regional organisations that met here to advance the process of CSME. One felt a deep sense of satisfaction when, against all criticisms and prophesy of failure, one can remain focused and committed to the task. The legacy of Prime Minister Arthur has unfolded. It is now very clear that the great work on regional integration started by our former distinguished Prime Ministers will now be fulfilled by him.

On Friday, June 9, the fourth special meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP) met in Barbados to discuss one of the few remaining real hurdles that stand in the way of a strong and integrated Caribbean. After the deliberations, the passage was clear for the remaining smaller economies of the region to sign on to the CSME.

For some time now the lesser developed countries within the CARICOM grouping had been articulating their concerns about the initial negative economic impact which signing on to the CSME would have on their economies, especially with respect to the removal of their trade barriers and the inhibiting cost in preparing their countries to participate in the regional process.

Having agreed to establish a development fund to cushion the economic impact on these economies and to assist in their overall strengthening so as to take full advantage of the benefits to be derived, COFAP, at their third meeting held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on May 18, had directed the Caribbean Development Bank to work out a contribution formula for the fund which would be acceptable to all member countries.

The formula examined three major components, namely the country's GDP shares, its per capita GDP shares and the CSME benefits shares. As outlined in the working document to the meeting: "The use of the GDP component is intending to represent the economic size which is not always a reliable indicator of the economic well-being of a country's residents.

"The use of the per capita GDP component is intended to represent economic well-being, even though it takes no account of the distribution of economic well-being among a country's residents. The notion behind the inclusion of a CSME benefits component is that countries should contribute in proportion to their share of the benefits of economic integration."

Prime Minister Arthur has always advocated the view that building strong individual economies in the region and the involvement of people and business at every level in our societies would result in a vibrant single market and economy.

The inauguration of the Caribbean Business Council at the Savannah Hotel on June 10, is evidence that the Prime Minister's plan is moving apace and his leadership has been astute and productive.

We are confident that the integration movement we are building in this region will be a vastly improved model of that of Europe and that its benefits will greatly transform the lives of all our people.

PM Arthur on 20/20 Cricket

   From the Nation Prime Minister Arthur says

“I wish there was a means by which the relationship with the Stanford tournament was expressed in a more dignified manner that reflects not only the tremendous dignity, but pride that was always evident in the players, and especially [Sir] Vivian Richards.”

This stands to reason that we should keep our West Indies players in an honoured and dignified manner. These men are are our local heroes and they must be portrayed as such. It would appear that the previous ad was pulled and replaced. Rightly so.

The Piggy

What a fabulous idea. Barbados Free Press is going to award The Piggy to various Politicians. We could not resist and recall when a certain  MP on the other side wanted to join the BLP the PM said " NO the BLP is not a sty".

We would like to immediately nominate DR. Estwick  for the piggy award. Just look at his behaviour in the House of Assembly certainly this warrants him becoming the first recipient of this award.

HIV and the People

 

Picture of the Virus

The Nation News Paper today reported on an interview with Professor Mickey Walrond. 

In a telephone interview Friday from Jamaica, the professor expressed further concern that an anticipated Cabinet rejection of condom distribution in the prison system where a number of HIV/AIDS cases have been documented, "means simply that we have moved nowhere forward in the fight against the killer disease which has infected more than 3 000 persons, nearly half of them young women".

He said: "I don't think we will be able to make the progress we had been hoping for in curbing the disease," he said with a hint of disappointment.

"Small island communities will tend to be conservative and that is why we are at greater risk. That is why the rate of HIV is higher, related to our smallness and our intimacy.

"Any government that feels it is going to be vulnerable to the religious vote is going to shy away from this issue,"

Let us get real. Government is not insensitive to the problems and difficulties that this disease presents to the population. Infact this BLP administration is at the fore front of fighting the scourge togoether with Dr Carol Jacobs and the AIDS commission.

However what we are mindful of is the mandate given by the Voting Public from which we gain our authority. All of our investigations have proven that the public although aware of the problems do not want a change in the law as it relates to homosexuality and prostitution and we as a Government must respect the wishes of the people for whom we act.

We will continue and redouble our efforts to prevent the continued transmission of the disease and provide as much relief as possible for those who have been unfortunate enough to contract the disease including help for women pregnant with the disease and free retroviral drugs.

Education as well continues to be one of the strogest planks the fight against the disease is based. Let us work together as a country to stop the spread.