There should be a mechanism for Barbadians to demand quarterly financial reports from parliamentarians who do not have a ministry, says Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner.
During a St Andrew Constituency Council career showcase yesterday entitled Community Empowerment Through Training And Entrepreneurship at The Alleyne School, Sandiford-Garner charged there were some members of the Opposition who were being given funds to assist their constituency, but were not doing what they were supposed to.
“Every elected representative that is not a Government minister earns no less than $9 878 a month, broken down as follows: $ 5 003 basic salary; $ 1 100 towards an entertainment allowance; $1 225 for duty allowance; and $2 550 allocated to be spent in the constituency and this is as of August 2010.
“But a disturbing trend has crept into Barbados’ Government of late, where some Members of Parliament [MPs], especially those of the Opposition, have decided that their time in Opposition has become a sabbatical where token appearances are the norm while the daily needs and requirements of their constituents are being neglected.” (CA)
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