IN ALL OF MY previous comments about the involvement of local Barbadian investors within the renewable energy sector, I emphasised the necessity and reasoning for Barbadians to retain majority market share, but failed to stress a point of great importance.
Prior to and since the move towards an economy driven by renewable energy, Barbadians were accused of being risk averse and not willing to invest in the local economy.
The truth is that many of the opinions expressed suggested that it was and still is a good thing for foreign interests as near as St Lucia and Trinidad and as far away as Brazil and the Netherlands to take ownership and control of what was previously Barbadian because of this supposed aversion to risk-taking.
In relation to the renewable energy sector of the economy where the primary natural resources are Barbadian-owned, I am not hearing any statements from the facilitators and regulators about the “empowerment” or the “enfranchisement” of prospective Barbadian investors and producers of renewable energy.
Let Barbadians hear and see practical and positive efforts of empowerment and enfranchisement (if only to give scope and opportunity) to those who have been accused and ridiculed of being afraid and unwilling to invest locally because of risk aversion in other areas of the economy.
If Barbadians are now ready and willing to put their hands to the plough, then please roll the pitch and lay down the red carpet as is done for non-Barbadians in other areas of the economy. Should home drums not beat first in this very localised scenario?
It cannot be too difficult to combine these efforts with the philosophy behind the mantra “We have to protect the people from themselves”.
Simply empower, enfranchise and protect the people, full stop.
– MICHAEL RAY
