#BTColumn – What a windfall for the ashfall!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Dr Ronnie Yearwood

I was talking to a friend this week about a story in Barbados TODAY, headlined “More than $22 million approved for ashfall clean-up.” He could not believe that the resolution was presented to Parliament for the approval of such a large sum of money, even if required given the circumstances, without any details.

I then had a look at the Parliament website for the full resolution, not the extract that was circulating on social media, and it confirmed my friend’s fear about lack of transparency.

No one is disputing the ash required to be cleaned up, but $22 million or in US$10 million or roughly seven million pounds is a lot of money to clean up ash, especially when you cannot see any details but only big amounts to every ministry.

I am not sure where any of the ministers worked before, but in my private practice life, no one would be able to submit a bill for a large amount of money to a client with no details and ask for it to be paid. However, essentially that is what the Government has done. Handed us, the taxpayers, a large bill and said, pay this!

There was no breakdown or details of hours worked, tasks completed, dates, contracts, sub-contractors, logistics involved and cost. I mean nothing but broad single line items. It is as if the Auditor-General report just did not happen, covering
some of these same matters about lack of clarity on spending of tax dollars.

Here we are again with Minister Straughn cleaning up or presenting news that may look a bit indigestible. There is an entire economic team of Minister Caddle and advisors Dr Mascoll, Dr Greenidge, Mr. Persaud and also the Prime Minister, as Minister of Finance.

Yet no one would think, after an entire country has for years and again very recently expressed concerns about good governance and transparency, that Barbadians deserved a bit better on how their $22 million dollars was spent on an ash clean up.  Collectively, this is folly, hubris or they simply do not care what Barbadians think or feel about these issues.

No one with any political instinct or sense would put forward such a broad resolution, unsupported by the details given, in a country where we are demanding transparency and better of our Government and ultimately ourselves.

This is not to say that the money spent was undeserved or unearned by the workers. And it is clear that the Government is supporting a quasi-welfare work programme. Instead of giving out “free money”, the Government is getting people to do labour intensive work, when unemployment is high.

Interestingly, this is after criticizing the last Government for doing the same.  On being elected this Government reduced the “Drainage Unit” which was expanded by the last Government to hire people to tidy up along highways and roads.

In May of this year this Government announced the hiring of people for a “clean and green” initiative which will do the same thing. One wonders if all that was done is DLP supporters got replaced with BLP supporters.

None of this justifies a lack of clarity and details of how the current $22 million was spent. The Government should have a little respect for us. Also, it helps the Government to avoid charges of poor spending, lack of transparency and bad governance if it provides the details, without us having to beg.  The French have an appropriate proverb, plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose, “the more things change the more they stay the same”!

All the same, we thank the workers for clearing the ash and for making Barbados livable. Stay safe everyone.

Dr Ronnie Yearwood is a lecturer in law, lawyer and social commentator. Email: yearwood.r.r.f@gmail.com