#BTSpeakingOut – Questions about Harrison’s Cave

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Michael Ray

Parliamentarian Trevor Prescod has questioned whether or not the residents atop and surrounding Harrison’s Cave have been paid.

Another question is: Why are  funds being extracted from the Consolidated Fund to repay a loan to the Caribbean Development Bank on behalf of Caves of Barbados?

Sometime after the election of a BLP-led administration in 2018, Caves of Barbados Limited came under the management of Chukka Caribbean Adventures in a lease arrangement.

Several individuals including political hopefuls asked questions relating to the type of arrangement, what type of lease, the length of the lease and whether or not credit unions and small businesses would be partners in the business.

A modicum of information was revealed.

Thereafter, detailed information was sketchy about the operations of Caves of Barbados.

In recent days, a section of the Print media has published information saying that part of a supplementary from the Consolidated Fund will repay a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank on behalf of Caves of Barbados Limited.

In the latter half of the year 2020, a leading daily newspaper carried an article quoting the Chief Executive Officer of Chukka saying that the company would be developing Harrison’s Cave to the tune of some nine million dollars.

He further went on to say that more money would be invested as the project develops.

In the name of openness, transparency and clarity, it would be most appropriate to inform the public of Barbados the full details surrounding the business of Caves of Barbados Limited since it was taken over by Chukka Caribbean Adventures.

Of special interest would be:

• The amount invested so far in Caves
of Barbados by Chukka?

• The full amount of the loan?

• The guarantor for the loan?

• Why repayment of the loan is being taken from the Consolidated Fund?

• Should Chukka not be responsible for the repayment of the loan?

The citizens of Barbados deserve to be fully informed about what has happened to one of their most valuable assets.

An asset that can be considered as the eighth wonder of the world..