THIS WEEK I have two issues I want to discuss. Both for me are so critical and urgent that I could not choose which one to prioritise.
First, I want to say how proud I am at the way that Barbadians have responded to the situation in Dominica. Amidst all of the frustration with the formal arrangements relating to some aspects of our integration movement, the outpouring of support has really shown that at an informal and personal level we really understand how to be our brother’s keeper.
All of the trappings and official statements really mean nothing if we are not able to demonstrate that we really care for one another.
As I watch the ongoing struggle in Dominica for normalcy, I will be very honest and say I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if it had been us experiencing six hours of torrential rain and wind. Would we have been any better prepared? Admittedly the terrain is very different and therefore the level of devastation would not be the same.
However, we should also admit that it does not take 15 inches of rain in Barbados to wreak havoc. Just this weekend a couple of hours of heavy rain made driving on some roads a bit like doing a legal milkshake.
One had to be constantly switching sides of the roads to avoid the areas of swirling water which in no time was rapidly creating flood-like situations on the highways. I am not sure if it was related but I also note that there were some areas in Barbados which were without electricity for a few hours as well.
I am certainly not trying to divert attention from the specific situation in Dominica but I am wondering, is it too early for us to be asking if there are some lessons from what happened in Dominica for us? Is it too early for those responsible for roadworks to be taking stock of what happened in Dominica and to reflect critically on what needs to be done to stop the country from immediately being under water every time the heavens let out a little sneeze?
The devastation in Dominica was not caused by a hurricane but a tropical storm. While I think we are all full of hurricane fear, how many of us pay attention to Tropical Storm warnings and think them worthy of the same attention? What lessons did we learn from Tropical Storm Tomas in 2010? How many of us have hurricane straps on our roofs and actually dust off the candles and batteries when we hear a storm warning.
Be honest, now. I have come to the position, perhaps a little harshly, that while there is merit in us constantly talking about how vulnerable we are to natural disasters that we need to take some responsibility for getting our own houses in order – at the national and household level. I hope Dominica is a sufficient wake-up call.
On another note I have been waiting for it. I have been waiting for the Child Care Board’s (CCB) news conference. My own version has the minister saying to us that there has been a complete shake-up at the CCB in light of the ongoing issues that have been highlighted.
My version also has the current board voluntarily tendering their resignations or the minister demanding them. Either way there will be some resignation letters. Moreover, I also envision the minister indicating that given the need to thoroughly investigate the cases that have been highlighted the ministry will take the time to address some critical capacity gaps at the board.
This is my version. I would be happy with any variation of the above but what would be untenable is any version in which we are presented with excuses. I do not want to hear about the staffing and resource challenges. I came across a 2007 report which clearly highlighted the CCB’s internal challenges.
So it is clear that the issues are not new; we all know that Government departments are under financial duress, we know as well that each case has its specificities. I am not interested in any of that.
What should be paramount is how in the context of all the constraints we go forward to protect the nation’s children and who, if anyone, should be accountable (someone has to take responsibility). I would go as far to say that the lack of immediate and decisive action should be cause for a resignation from a higher level. Let’s show the nation’s children that we mean business when it comes to their protection.
