IF YOU HAD recently taken up residence in Barbados, you would be happy to hear the Minister of the Environment saying: “I really think the time has come for us to take some serious measures to control what is emitted into our atmosphere.”
On the other hand, if you had been living here for the past five years, you would also have heard the Minister of Health saying: “I wish to send a strong warning to those whose vehicle exhaust systems need to be fixed and to those who like to draw a match to burn their garbage on their properties . . . your days are numbered!”
The two promises were made exactly three years apart: the Health Minister’s on March 14, 2012 and the Environment Minister’s on March 14, 2015.
Add this gem of gobbledygook to the 2015 statement: “The cumbersomeness of designing, developing and rolling out legislation that is really effective takes time. The penalties come at the end. But I am quite sure there are penalties that will be put in place. What we are concerned about is beginning the process on this issue.”
But black smoke from the exhaust pipes of vehicles is not all we Barbadians seem to take in our stride and hear empty promises to eradicate; we have noisy kites flying all night long and litter on almost every street across Barbados.
Yet another visitor has been commenting on the litter which seems to offend so few. After returning to Vancouver, Canada, Joe Shuler wrote back: “I have observed that most beaches and their parking lots are littered with all kinds of garbage, including condoms on Accra Beach – only one garbage bin in sight on that entire beach.”
Then Mr Shuler asked: “Why is the government department responsible for the beaches allowing unclean conditions?” About the proliferation of lounge chairs and large umbrellas impeding easy access to the water, he reminded us: “No monetary gain can replace the beauty and cleanliness of Barbados.”
Of course, the tourism agencies will be working hard to woo Mr Shuler back next year. To find even more litter?
When will we get our act together?
– CARL MOORE
