BLP legacy: shutting down of the DLP’s notorious HARP project that permitted the testing of guns for use against Blacks in racist South Africa; construction of a new Astroturf for field hockey; and computerization of the justice system, Immigration Department and the Police Force.
You will recall that a few weeks ago when the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) exposed instances of infelicities at the QEH, Minister of Health Donville “Don’t Care” Inniss was advised that he should not feel alone since similar conditions existed elsewhere in the DLP administration.
Such a warning, coupled with the barefaced refusal of the BTA and the rest of Government to enlighten the public about the details of the Rihanna contract, and the DLP insider dealings with the LOUD concert, have driven Barbadians to provide documentary proof that things are far from well at another major institution.
This time it is the BWA, about which nobody is surprised. The public still remembers the DLP’s cold-blooded dismissal of BLP warnings that the Government had imposed an executive chairman on that vital body when the law did not allow for such a post.
No less a person than then Prime Minister David Thompson had sneered at the BLP’s respect for the law, declaring that they would change the law at some time if they had to. Years later, the law has still not been corrected thereby cementing the breeding of a BWA culture of general disregard for rules, regulations and legislation.
This is shown in an internal memorandum to the general manager dated May 10, 2010, on Purchase Of Meters For Halcrow Consultancy, in which the BWA’s number two officer is instructed to “kindly advise” the Puerto Rican firm of Elser Amco Water Inc. that purchases of any equipment for the Barbados Water Authority will be done through AM-Carib Trading Inc. until any further instructions are advised by the board.”
And there is no direct or indirect indication whatsoever in the nine other pages of supporting documents that the selection of AM-Carib had been based on competitive bidding in keeping with stated and well established Government policy, unless under certain specific, special conditions.
Interestingly enough, subsequent correspondence from the BWA’s procurement manager referred to Am-Carib’s communication of October 26, 2010, and complained that six months after the BWA had paid in advance, items ordered had not been received with “normal lead time” being “approximately [three] to [five] weeks” from order date.
Worthy of note is the fact that it is a Miami, Florida incorporated company, whose directors have been stated to be McHugh Walcott, president; Lisa Pierre, vice-president; and Richard Byer, secretary and treasurer.
Barbadians would want to know if the Michael Walcott, listed as the company’s agent and authorized signature, of Atlanta, Georgia, and manager of Kyan Holdings of Hollywood, Florida, is the same as the known DLP operative who suddenly left Barbados?
With requisitions D11392 and D11393 yet to be exposed, Minister David Estwick should want to speak out.
• Beresford Leon Padmore is a pseudonym for the Barbados Labour Party.
