Good morning everyone, and I do hope you are having an amazing morning so far. Before I get into today’s article, I want to express appreciation to you for taking time to read this article.
I also want to say a hearty thank you to all those persons who make it a habit to buy a Thursday Nation just to read this column and for you who email me with your thoughts. To those who warmly greet me in public and express how you have been touched or inspired by these articles, thank you.
Now, on to today’s article. I have nothing planned to write on so I will just type as the thoughts come and hopefully they make sense and have value.
I think it was Smokey Burke who had a song called The Promised Land. I am not sure but over the last few years, the concept behind that song has become a reality for me. So much so, it has reached the point that unless I see the tangible evidence of what is being communicated, I am neither moved nor inspired by what was said. You may be wondering what I am speaking of and by whom it was said.
A few days ago, Minister Dr David Estwick communicated at a branch meeting that the current Democratic Labour Party administration was in talks with officials from the United Arab Emirates with regard to providing a sinking fund to wipe out the entire national debt. He also stated that officials from Abu Dhabi and Dubai were in Barbados and they had fruitful discussions and those discussions are ongoing.
Now I am not an economist, neither am I versed in public finance, but any random Joe knows that in these times, no one ain’t giving you something for nothing, especially something as humongous as BDS$10 billion.
It would be nice if we the taxpayers, who for the next 30 to 40 years will be burdened with the repayment of any signed agreement, could know before the ink touches the dotted line, what are the conditions of the deal.
I find it quite interesting that the Government didn’t seize the opportunity to raise its confidence level both locally and internationally by giving the Press prior knowledge of this meeting taking place in Barbados.
This action would have provided the public with some measure of hope and confidence that our Government doesn’t throw red herrings out there as a distraction and to play with our emotions. Maybe the Arabs demanded that their presence in the country be covert.
As I said earlier, I am neither moved nor inspired by these types of things anymore and until I see some tangible evidence. It is just another red herring to me.
Maybe I am being unfair – you be the judge – but not too long ago we were told of the bursaries; the new multimillion-dollar port; the Four Seasons project; the multi-purpose sugar factory; new bus terminals; new schools; payment to pharmaceutical companies; a tourism ten-point plan; multimillion-dollar road projects; Barack will be fully paid, no public servants losing their jobs; the economy will grow . . . . Did I forget anything? I am sure I did, too many to mention. If you remember anymore, send me them in an email so I can compile them.
On another note, this public legal matter between George Payne and Edmund Hinkson is an utter shame and disappointment. My goodness gracious me! I am still lost as to how a private matter, which occurred behind closed Opposition doors, is being fought out in public by two Barbados Labour Party Members of Parliament.
At a time when the Government should be receiving criticism and blows from the Opposition for its leadership style and poor management of public finance, the Opposition is in public fighting each other. Nonsense!
As I close, let me leave you with these secondary student answers:
Question: Name a Barbadian folk song.
Answer: Ben Up by Porgie & Murda.
Question: Name one female Barbadian National Hero.
Answer: Sarangle.
Question: What is the national dish of Barbados?
Answer: Our national dish is our national dish!
Question: Who is your favourite Barbadian celebrity?
Answer: Chris Brown, ’cause he had Rihanna.
