Barbadians were consumed three days last week with the debate on the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals. It was compelling TV and the cut and thrust between members of the House of Assembly gave viewers an idea of how our parliamentary business is conducted.
I watched most of it conscious that we are in a devastating economic downturn. My expectations were therefore minimal. That notwithstanding, I was disappointed that the avuncular Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sickler, in his presentation, did not address the high cost of living, particularly food and utility costs, which increased markedly since the last Budget.
A big vote-catcher during the election campaign was the promise by the Democratic Labour Party that the cost of living was the major priority. The promise was also made to remove VAT from utility bills. Neither has materialized and cries from the population at large and senior citizens in particular have become louder.
The allocation of $5 million to an energy grant for senior citizens and the disabled to be distributed through the Welfare Department will help. I am not sure, however, that many of the chronically hurting will benefit because of the modus operandi of the disbursement. Waiver of the VAT would have benefited a larger number of consumers.
Within minutes of hearing the land tax changes, a friend also in his sunset years, called saying that rather than helping, it would hurt beneficiaries of the pensioners’ rebate. He was unequivocal that the Government is punitive to pensioners, citing the introduction of the private pharmacy payment for medications and change of items on the drug formulary.
The tourism sector, not booming like before, should be pleased that land tax bills for hotels and restaurants can now be settled during the last quarter of the financial year when revenues are at their highest, without losing the benefits of the discounted tax rate.
I was surprised that Sinckler during his presentation also said nothing about two major issues with possible high demands on Government finances – the CLICO and Barrack affairs– the former generating great pain among a large number of people who invested their savings expecting a return to see them through retirement to the grave.
It was good to see new initiatives to encourage the expanded use of solar energy and cut our dependency on fossil fuel importation. In this regard, the minister rightly removed the duty-free importation of electric water heaters.
The borrowings to be spent on cultural promotions will redound to the credit of both the artistes and country. The decision to develop a cultural and performing arts centre is long overdue. Rihanna’s global success is proof of a reservoir of local talent waiting to be discovered and paraded internationally, earning substantially and covering themselves and Barbados in glory.
It is commendable that incentives have been given to the cadre of bright young people assembling computers. I am amazed at the competence of Barbadians who, without leaving these shores, develop the capability to put together and, when necessary, repair exogenous state-of-the-art digital equipment.
I am no motor racing fan. A friend who is, however, was in high spirits at the concessions granted to what he tells me is our most popular spectator sport. He tells me Bushy Park is destined to grow into a world class racing facility which can be used for other activities to benefit all Barbadians.
The contribution of the Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite caught my attention. He dismissed claims by the Opposition that Barbadians were living in fear as reckless and “very, very untrue”. He also dismissed the nexus between the rise in crime and unemployment.
I defer to hard evidential reports from trusted sources and several close friends who told me their lifestyles have changed in recent months, particularly in the last few weeks following five murders in the first two weeks of August.
These incidents, compounded by an armed attack in Navy Gardens on two police officers, have heightened fears and changed lifestyles. I am told that socializing will now be mostly done during daylight hours. When people get home from work they vow to stay home with wives and children. Minister, I know big men living in fear.
I was also surprised at the minister’s disavowal of the link between unemployment and crime. Following the recent British riots and looting, reports apportioned responsibility largely to lawless, unemployed young people.
Students of social behaviour acknowledge that the two phenomena fit like hand and glove. Buttressed by growing drug use and dependency, when the crime statistics are disclosed it will be interesting to see the accuracy of the minister’s statement.