The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is urging the Prime Minister to launch an investigation into the operations of the controversial Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC).
According to the DLP, the latest development in an ongoing saga within the state run agency was the firing of its Chief Executive Officer.
“Since 2018 the BADMC has continued to make headlines for all the wrong reasons,” DLP Vice President Andre Worrell said.
“Former CEO Shawn Tudor was fired by the then Chairman Anthony Wood in November of that year. That is a legal matter today. Dismissals occurred unabated. Two years later Wood himself resigned whilst hurling allegations of actions related to chicken wings and substantial revenue loss, accusations which authorities have yet to explain to the tax paying public.”
Worrell stated that the most recent spat between the CEO, Chairman and Board over the proper way to terminate the services of a clerical officer and the abrupt firing of the Security Services Officer indicate an institution that lacks capable management and leadership.
“The BADMC cannot fulfill it’s mandate to create new products and innovations within the agricultural sector in the midst of this type of organizational chaos. Research will show this to be the case,” Worrell said.
“It is time for the Prime Minister of this country to stand by her word regarding prioritising the agricultural sector in Barbados, and launch an investigation into the unrest which is currently derailing the efforts of the country’s farmers.”
