I HOPE WHAT I WRITE this week doan make some people think dat I making light of the very serious situation dat Barbados finds itself in right now.
I also hope what I write would make some kinda sense tuh the relevant persons who are in authority, the persons who we Barbadians faithfully and sincerely went out on February 21, 2013, and voted for tuh run this special nation; as well as those persons who might be in a position tuh help tuh improve Barbados and where we are today.
But I gine tell you, though, dat despite all dat is happening or will happen, I believe dat duh got some things we the people o’ Barbados could do. I believe duh got things dat the private sector people could
do tuh generate money and I strongly believe dat duh got a whole lot o’ things the very Government could do tuh bring millions o’ dollars back in tuh the Treasury dat would help tuh ease some o’ the pressure we now facing.
Now look, fuh one, duh got a lot o’ people who owe the Government o’ Barbados a lot o’ money and fuh all the years have not even paid a cent back tuh the Treasury but would be the first set o’ people tuh open duh mouts and pull down evah Government.Â
I see and hear the Minister o’ Education talking loud and pow’ful ’bout the type o’ people who borrowed and still owe money tuh the Student Revolving Loan Fund and even though duh now successfully in tuh duh various professions, refuse tuh pay back the people loan so dat another person who now struggling, want tuh go and study but want a li’l assistance could get it. He threatening tuh publish the names o’ these people and I think dat duh should do it too.
Now dat is one set o’ money dat could come back tuh the Government.
Ya does always hear ’bout the people who owe the Water Authority a wash o’ money and somehow getting ’way wid it. If dat is true, I think dat it is time the Government should clamp down pon these people and make dem pay. Dat is good money coming in tuh the Treasury.
Enjoying free living
Wha’ ’bout the money from the people who fuh all the years did living in Government units and tuh this day still enjoying free living at the National Housing and Government expense?
Look, ya only got tuh step in tuh the front door o’ some o’ dem houses and you would realise why some o’ dem ain’t able tuh pay duh rent. Duh got evah single luxury in there, hear? But duh cahn pay duh rent.
The Government short o’ funds tuh pay duh debts? Well, duh need tuh check wid some o’ these delinquent tenants.
Now, fuh sure I believe dat duh got a whole lot o’ business people in Barbados who getting off scot-free by not paying duh taxes when the year come and I think dat in the same way Ronald Jones could holler out dat the names o’ the professional persons who ain’t paying back duh student loans could be published, I think the minister or ministers responsible fuh the land tax, the National Insurance and the income tax should do the same thing. Wunna know how much money people owe tuh these kinda places and the type o’ people who owe it? Wunna wasting good time talking and mekking bare sport!
Look, duh got a good few employers who does faithfully take the money out tuh duh employees weekly salary and doan pay um in. I know wha’ I talking ’bout. I have experienced dat a’ready and hear ’bout it all the time.
Wunna know how much money the Government could haul in just by going after these delinquent people? Duh got a whole lot o’ money, millions and millions o’ dollars right here in Barbados, only waiting fuh the Government, instead o’ looking outside o’ Barbados and getting on like it desperate, to get out there, do the right thing and collect a bundle o’ money.
• Mavis Beckles was born and raised in the Orleans. She has an opinion on everything.
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