Thorne welcomes, then questions Bay Gardens upgrade

The area MP for the Oistins Bay Garden – Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne – on Friday welcomed the government’s “sudden generosity” in undertaking a nearly $5 million upgrade for the iconic food and entertainment hotspot, while raising several questions about the project.

“From the paving of the roads to the proposed repairs of Oistins Bay Garden and the car park in the Berinda Cox Fish Market, we rejoice at this sudden generosity of the government,” he told Barbados TODAY. “While we also believe that there are political motives, we are happy for any further upgrade that will come to these facilities.”

The major spruce-up for the ICC’s Men’s T20 World Cup was rolled out on Wednesday by the Chairman of the tournament’s National Organising Committee, Noel Lynch, President of the Oistins Bay Garden Committee Kemar Harris, Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. consultant Rey Moe and other officials.

Work at Oistins which got underway that evening includes improvements to lighting, kiosks and the stage area, repairs to the two car parks, power washing, replacing tent covers, the construction of a new gazebo and new bathrooms, and the erection of large screens.

Oistins is billed as one of three official fan zones for the mega sporting event where residents and visitors can mingle and watch matches.

But Thorne insisted that the multi-million-dollar upgrade must be rooted in proper financial procedures, arguing that the enhancement of public spaces does not justify “financial indiscipline” by the government.

He said: “It therefore continues to be a matter of great concern that government announces its spending of public monies in these large global figures, without reference to any bidding process or proper accounting and costing procedures. It therefore continues to be a concern that we are defining public works by these large round figures, without accompanying accounting justification, also made public.”

He then questioned the accuracy of the refurbishment cost and the source of the funds.

“Are these works costing the taxpayers exactly $5 million? Are these monies to be taken from the monies dedicated to the Kensington refurbishment? Did they overestimate the amounts required for the Kensington refurbishment and now have $5 million left over for Oistins?”

Thorne maintained that “political motivations” were behind the work, but suggested that those benefiting from the project would see through the “machinations”.

He said he was recently able to get the National Conservation Commission (NCC) to do corrective work at the Bay Garden. Still, he said his efforts to build a new and large dominoes gazebo following discussions with a corporate sponsor were thwarted.

“When NCC was about to commence construction of that gazebo, those plans were aborted because of an intervention from on high. The dominoes players have been forced to play in a location under a mango tree exposed to the elements next to the car park.

“The physical development of Oistins has now been visited by divisive politics and possible financial indiscipline.”