Walters: Give full account of $40m Oval project

Opposition Senator Ryan Walters has called on Prime Minister Mia Mottley to give a full account of how the government spent $40 million on Kensington Oval.

On Friday, the PM told the media at Ilaro Court that there will be an open half day on Wednesday to allow “Bajans of all walks of life to come and see what we spent their money on”.

But Senator Walters, who was speaking at a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) zone meeting in St Michael South Central on Sunday night at The St Michael School, challenged the prime minister to disclose all relevant financial information on the project.

“If the prime minister wants to be transparent she would practice proper accounting and governance,” Senator Walters said. “Take the open afternoon to tell us these things. What did the bidding process for the works look like? How many contractors responded? What was the selection process? Was it done by the minister of big works? Where are the invoices to support the spend?”

He said that Forbes magazine reported that the International Cricket Council is building a new stadium in New York for the cost of $60 million (US$30 million) while taxpayers are paying $40 million for “new tiles, new showers and a temporary stand”.

“The $50 million borrowed for works on Kensington Oval is questionable. Ask the critical questions when it comes to managing money. They are irresponsible. It is not good governance.”

Senator Walters reminded the meeting that the Government was in office for six years and called on the PM to use the evening for full transparency not only for the Oval but for the six years of borrowing as he raised questions on a number of other projects.

He also challenged the administration to account for the over $4 billion borrowed and the $1 billion raised in new taxes since coming to office in 2018.

New and planned projects came under scrutiny as well. Senator Walters asked about the $5 million earmarked to be spent on Oistins. He also queried the true and full amount to be spent on upgrades of Baxter’s Road and Pelican Village.

The new Emancipation Village to be erected at Haggatt Hall for three months’ use, Senator Walters said, was estimated at about over a $250 000 dollars to build while Rock Hall Freedom Village remains underutilised.

Accusing the government of mismanagement by borrowing a $50 million loan for the Oval with no solid plan as to how the money would be spent, the senator explained that three different government officials told the public three different ways the funds would be allocated.

“Government does not even know how they intended to spend the $50 million. The prime minister is on record saying in the media: ‘US$25 million, Barbados $50 million loan …. will be allocated for the urgent refurbishment of the iconic cricket stadium,” he said.

Senator Walters explained that weeks later, the chairman of the national organising said that the $25 million will go to the refurbishment of the Oval while the other half will go to rebuilding cricket. He added that sometime after, the Minister of Sport said the $50 million loan will also fund improvements to other facilities where practice matches are to take place.

“We have three different reports from three senior persons in charge of $50 million,” he said. “Do you get comfort that these people know what they are going to do with the money? Do you get comfort that they should have the responsibility to go out and borrow money not knowing what they are going to do with the money? We taxpayers are being asked to pay for money that the Government has borrowed and do not have an idea how they are going to spend it.”

The senator also urged the Mottley administration to account to the people of The City. “Tell the people about the 1 200 jobs promised. Tell the people why they are getting paint to spruce up while they are hungry and while the schools in The City are in need of repair.”

The former DLP vice president urged party members and the wider Barbados not to be intimidated by the “pretty pictures” of the Oval.

“Do not be intimidated by all the fancy pictures you see of Kensington Oval,” Senator Walters declared. “Do not withdraw from questioning the spending of this government when it comes to taxpayers’ money. They have now said that the works at the Oval have now cost taxpayers $40 million. It has gone over a lot of heads because of the glitz and glamour. There is not one new permanent structure that has been constructed with that money.”

(IMC)