Question For The Supervisor Of Insurance – Are All Insurance Companies Equal?

The CLICO challenge remains. The former Acting Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart promised Barbadians to expect an announcement on the matter soon. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Darcy Boyce signalled in a press conference recently what maybe in the offing for CLICO investors. He suggested Barbadians who invest in financial products out of sync with the market should be prepared to accept the attendant risks. We are paraphrasing.

A discussion point in the CLICO Saga has been the role of the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance. All are agreed several months into the CLICO crisis that the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance fell asleep at the switch. There is no excuse to offer.  The Insurance Act empowers the Supervisor of Insurance with wide ranging  powers to act decisively in situations which demand it. The CLICO matter exposed a very high level of incompetence. The first line of oversight is the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance, closely followed by central government through its agent the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Minister responsible.

Of concern to BU is the lack of ongoing public discussion regarding the role of the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance in the wider context. Yes we have the CLICO challenge but are we confident the insurance sector is being efficiently regulated by this office?

The Long Pilgrimage: Bankrupt Moral Leadership And The Fatalism Of Evil Upon Our Shores – Has Anything Been Learnt Since Dr. Martin Luther King’s Speech – “I Have A Dream"?

Submitted by Terence Blackett

WASHINGTON — Conservative commentator Glenn Beck and tea party champion Sarah Palin appealed Saturday to a vast, predominantly white crowd on the National Mall to help restore traditional American values and honor Martin Luther King's message. Civil rights leaders who accused the group of hijacking King's legacy held their own rally and march - AP

Yesterday was the 47^th anniversary of the historically memorable – I Have A Dream prophetic speech on the Hill* of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Words which still move the heart, minds and consciences of men everywhere – words, worthy of their rightful place in sacred cannon. But let us not be fooled – like all prophetic utterances, time is still the crucial determinant factor.

In Dr. King’s own words – “We must be careful at this point not to engage in a superficial optimism or to conclude that the death of a particular evil means that all evil lies dead upon the shore. All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. The Kingdom of God as a universal reality is not yet. But just as we must avoid a superficial optimism, we must also avoid a crippling pessimism. Even though all progress is precarious, within limits real social progress may be made. Although man’s moral pilgrimage may never reach a destination point on this earth, his never-ceasing strivings may bring him closer to the city of righteousness…”

On this anniversary of Dr. King’s speech, political demigod, FOX News commentator and Tea Party activist Glen Beck and an army of predominantly Caucasian supporters gathered at the said Lincoln Memorial and sought to upstage the legacy of King’s prophetic historical window in time by “billing itself as “restoring honour” to the US and rekindling what Beck and other speakers saw as the spirit of the American Revolution – family values, low taxation and cutting the Federal deficit.” Beck’s speech was peppered with references to God* and the fact that it was time for American to forge a new direction – “We have had moments of brilliance and moments of darkness. But this country has spent far too long worried about scars and thinking about the scars and concentrating on the scars.”

But what if the “scars” are still visibly offensive? Can we sell the truth – in order that we may purchase and accommodate a lie?

Nation Newspaper Paper Turning New Chapter

Editor-in-Chief of the Nation newspaper

Last month the Nation newspaper very quietly announced the appointment of Kaymar Jordan to the post of Editor in Chief from September 1, 2010.  Jordan leaves the job as Director of News and Current Affairs at the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

Following the announcement the obvious question which observers would have asked – what is the implication for Roxanne Gibbs the current Executive Editor? It is an open secret BU believe  her performance as the head of the Nation’s editorial staff to be woefully short of what is required from the leading daily newspaper in Barbados. How can we forget her handling of the Guyana immigration issue which revealed a clear biase? There is also the decision to report the Hartley Henry and Carol Martindale spat to an international body which has had the effect of embarrassing the Barbados government over a non issue. To date the matter remains an embarrassing loose end which obviously was politically motivated. Several other instances can be used to cite her incompetence in recent years.

It comes as no surprise if we are to accept our usual unimpeachable sources that Roxanne has been let go from the Nation newspaper on Tuesday of this week. Some will say she resigned but the end result is the same, she has to go. We wish her all the best but there is little doubt she has been drowning in her own incompetence and has finally been put out of her misery.

Coming To Barbados: A North American City (11)

Submitted by Looking Glass

That Pickering might not be starting soon because NRDC is unable to attract investors to raise the $1.7bn needed (Arthur: Nation August, 1, 2010) is untrue. The amount cited is loose change for the real owners of NRDC. The reason(s) for seeking an investor, which is not at all unusual, is beyond the comprehension of the economist. Involvement with companies like Cellate is nothing new. Look back at similar projects you facilitated in the last decade or so. Is the pot calling the kettle black? And what about the hospital in St Peter that was sold some years ago (I believe in 2005). Check out how many blacks are on staff and the last time a Blackie was treated there.

First let it be understood that I am not opposed to foreign investment per se, but against projects not in the better interest of the country. Lands at Long Beach, St. George and Brighton acquired by Americans to build homes for Americans and other foreigners can hardly be said to constitute sustainable development. Our most famous soul, recognized by Her Majesty, was denied access to the American owned golf course and nothing was done about it. It is foolish to believe that nig-nig will have access to the homes and or the surroundings.

The Pickering plan did not come off the drawing board overnight. It is a minor version of a massive Ontario project– 450 room hotel, 5000 seat performance venue, movie theatre, residential, office retail centre etc– schedule to begin later this year and be completed in five years which is four years sooner than Pickering.

Related Link

• Coming To Barbados: A North American City (1)

Politicians: Camaraderie Caprice And The Craft Of Corruption

Submitted by Yardbroom

The word “corrupt” in reference to politicians in Barbados has become so entrenched in colloquial usage, the seriousness of that charge has almost become irrelevant.  This presents dangers in that cases of “genuine” corruption will escape public scrutiny and secondly, hitherto unblemished politicians can easily become besmirched.  It also allows politicians not to give an adequate or timely response to questions posed about corruption, even if there is a “prima facie” case to answer.  The over-use or inference of corruption, often by men thought wise and even learned, particularly by those with party affiliations to massage, is most unfortunate.

It is wise before aspersions as to bribery/corruption are cast on individuals to ask, what is the evidence?  “It is a common law offence for an officer who has a duty to do something in which the public is interested to receive a bribe either to act in a manner contrary to his duty or to show favour in the discharge of his functions.”  Do note that even when a “prima facie” case can be made this is not always enough for a successful prosecution.

By way of example when “South Africa’s – then deputy – President Jacob Zuma came under investigations for allegations that he attempted to solicit a bribe from the head of the South African branch of the arms company Thomson in return for protecting the company from investigation and giving it “permanent support”.  The case was brought to an end when the director of prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, announced in August 2003 that Zuma would not be charged because although there was a strong “prima facie” case against him, the government could not be sure of winning the case in court.”

The Struggle Of The Huckster Class In Modern Barbados

Submitted by People’s Democratic Congress (PDC)

Swan Street - joanboryta.com

Long since the era of colonial enslavement in Barbados, right through the times of post-emancipation, and into the period of 1937 labour disturbances in this country, and up to this juncture of post-independence, huckstering, wayside vending, outdoor business from trays, stalls, vehicles on the streets, roads in Bridgetown and elsewhere, has been playing a very significant role in the development of aspects of the retail/wholesale business trading sector in the country; in the provisioning of investment outlays in productive capital in the commercial business sector of the country; in the producing of many business models that again and again represent the resurgence of a younger more vibrant Black entrepreneurial ownership class, and in the generating of earned income for many households and families in this Barbadian society.

Too, from the times of the insertion of British/European social cultural values and norms into this land in the 17th century, through the times of the increasing synthetization of things European and things African into the production of a distinct Bajan identity and culture in  the 20th Century, right up to this period of increasing global cross cultural interweavement interpenetration in Barbados, huckstering – peddling – hustling – has been playing a marvellous but tortuous developmental role in the nexusing of the traditional and the contemporary/modern in this country – i.e. in the preservation and retention of many Bajan socio-cultural traditions in this country, along with that of the promotion and advancement of many aspects of other present-day contemporary local, regional and Western/Eastern cultural values and patterns.

But it is in the area of the quest for greater mass political freedom and greater individual liberty mediated by a sense of deep ideological consciousness and historical awareness about its heritage and its historic function, and through an avowed commitment to the realization of certain societal goals, that those people who now carry out huckstering – wayside vending – peddling – hustling – have been able to  demonstrate the greatest social political significance of the profession of huckstering (outdoor business) to the Barbadian people.

Spotlight On Mullins Bay Erosion Problem, Barbados’s Coastal Zone Management Unit Questioned

Mullins Bay

Local environmental activists contend that in several places along Barbados’s west shore—the famed Platinum Coast, lined with luxury hotels, condos, and expensive homes—erosion has been exacerbated by the construction of seawalls and groins - concierge.com

Fellow blogger Mullins Bay has been a lone voice calling for government intervention to arrest the rapid erosion occurring in the Mullins Bay area. The insensitivity which successive Barbados governments have shown  for the environment is unacceptable. The neglect of our environment is unbelievable when one considers it is the main ingredient in our tourist product.

BU is pleased (with mixed feelings) to read that the message by Save Mullins Bay blogger is being heard. It is unfortunate ordinary Barbadians have to depend on foreign players to lend weight to the cause of saving the Mullins Bay area. At this stage any help to galvanize a government numb to the issue of efficient coastal management is appreciated.

The Unusual Covenant At Coverley Approved By The National Housing Corporation

Part of the criticism directed at the Coverley Housing Project by the Barbados Labour Party is the unusual covenant which covers the project. The BU family can decide for itself.

Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leader Of The Opposition Calls For The Resignation Of Minister of Housing Michael Lashley

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley

Members of the BU household attended the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) meeting last night at Heroes Square. BU will provide a more detailed comment later. What can be stated is when all the huff and puff was done it must be said Mia Mottley did a good job prosecuting Minister Michael Lashley. Many questions were asked of Minister Lashley last night regarding the contract with JADA covering Coverley. The Leader of the Opposition distributed copies of National Housing Corporation minutes (the same minutes quoted from by Lashley in the House) which supports a good case the Minister Lashley lied while standing on the floor of the House of Assembly at its last sitting. He has also been asked to produce the construction contract referred to my sacked NHC Chairman Marilyn Rice-Bowen.

The other issues worth mentioning is the revelation by former Minister of Health Jerome Walcott that a decision was made by government last Tuesday to refurbish the QEH and jettison plans to build a new hospital. Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur remarked on how the OECS countries have placed CLICO under judicial management and have taken steps to prosecute parties to recover CLICO assets and also to protect CLICO property. He lamented the fact that Barbados has done nothing to date to protect CLICO policyholders.

Hopefully others who attended will fill the gaps.

National Housing Corporation Minutes at the centre of the debate – Pages: 1,2,3 and 4

Working At SOL Gas Stations Not Bright For Some

Submitted by Laimas

I was filling up my car with gas at a SOL gas station and one of the attendants told me that after Aug 29, I might not be seeing her.  When I asked ‘Why?’, she told me that the manager on contract had resigned and SOL was taking back their station.

I have heard this same story at another SOL station as well.  She told me that they wanted to reduce the staff, cut wages of the remaining staff and raise the rent for the store.  In these harsh economic times can we afford to be taking food out of peoples’ mouths?

I wonder what SOL has to say about putting people on the breadline and/or reducing their wage.  The average gas station attendant earns $50 per day, any less and you might consider them unemployed anyway.

What is the government saying about this?  Are they going to allow large companies to indiscriminately put people on the breadline?