Despite the recurring natural disasters of 20I0 – including a nightmare earthquake; very costly damaging tropical storms and floods – that descended on the Greater Caribbean region this year that ends at midnight tonight – there has now come the disturbing prediction from a West Indian seismologist of an expected major earthquake during 2011.
We are familiar with the advice not to attack or blame the messenger of bad news but prepare, instread, to deal with the nature of the identified message delivered.
Well, at this closing period of the first decade of the 2Ist century, when vulnerable Caribbean countries – including Barbados – have been compelled to give greater attention to the problems associated with climate change, seismologist Dr Joan Latchman, acting Director of the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies, has put this entire region on a likely massive “earthquake alert”.
It was on January I2 this year that Haiti was devastated by the worst ever natural disaster in the form of an unprecedented earthquake that killed and injured over 200 000; dislocated the lives of approximately two million.
The devastation has left Haiti, the poorest nation in this hemisphere virtually circling in a begging bowl while the world talk sweety about “recovery” but remain very stingy and extremely slothful in delivering urgently required assistance, even as a cholera epidemic continues to take its deadly toll.
Here in Barbados, when this holiday weekend is over, there will be increased anxieties and speculations over the date in January for a by-election in the constituency of St John as a consequence of the passing of Prime Minister David Thompson.
More importantly, the guessing game is expected to intensify about a cabinet reshuffle early in the new year by Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart, including his appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister, as he settles down to stamp his own leadership as head of Government.
What is certain is that there will be no snap general election and both the ruling Dems and opposition Bees would, therefore, have reasonable time to resolve respective lingering political dissent within their ranks as they look ahead to general election 2012.
Wandering political eyes would continue to be on the flamboyant Finance Minister Chris Sinckler and the equally flamboyant former Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, as the future of both would be involved in anticipated party realignments ahead of preparation for a new Government.
Challenges ahead would also have to be faced by the labour movement as trade unions come under pressure – similar to their counterparts elsewhere in CARICOM – over the rising cost-of-living, dwindling real incomes and, worse, joblessness.
Much would depend on the responses from both public and private sector employers who would need to resist blame-shifting tactics in preference for the level of maturity required by the social partnership mechanism to stave off industrial unrest and political tension.
In general, not only has the Caribbean region had to cope with spreading natural disasters. It also continued to suffer from alarming levels of murder and criminal violence by armed gangs. A Happy New Year to readers. Walk good.
• Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist.
