THE PROMISE by the Government to use revenue derived from the newly-introduced Social Responsibility Levy to engage in an islandwide de-bushing and clean-up campaign has received widespread support, perhaps because the embarrassment is so great and the need so very obvious.
Last week, Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler said in his 2016 Budget that he would set aside at least $5 million towards the initiation of a national clean-up and de-bushing programme over the next five months. We believe this gesture will go a long way in getting our island better dressed for our 50th birthday celebrations in November.
Even with very few details available, the Opposition, to a man, supported the measure. They, however, could not resist the temptation to jump on the idea that this crash programme should first employ the experience and energy of those many former workers of both the National Conservation Commission and Beautify Barbados who lost their jobs over the past two or so years in austerity cuts.
This wish fails to recognise the political reality that kisses go by favour, particularly during the second half of a party’s five-year administration.
Other aspects of this clean-up campaign should be given careful attention. We anticipate even distribution of this effort across all parishes. Had there been a local government system in Barbados, a project of this sort would have benefited to a great advantage by homegrown know-how. The island’s road network is too complex for a central authority, be it the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Transport and Works or the Ministry of Health, to adequately prioritise clean-up needs. As is seen in other spheres of public works, rural settlements tend to be given token support or leftovers, be it in garbage collection, road repairs, street lighting or de-bushing.
The next five months should also see, where possible, the creation of at least a four-foot manicured reserve beyond roadways to discourage encroaching weeds and litterers; efforts should be made to discourage the wide-scale strewing of debris that offends the eye and reveals our callous attitude to our surroundings; and the removal of hundreds of disused vehicles parked along the road that provide secure harbour for rats and sheltered breeding for mosquitoes.
Also, we do not want to see clean roadways spoiled by unsightly and foul-smelling garbage, uncollected for over two weeks.
After that, the next step should be to maintain a new, clean environment not just for our celebrations, but also for ourselves and for all times.
