Parliament moves to merge rural, urban agencies

The government on Tuesday made good on its pledge to merge the Rural Development Commission (RDC) and the Urban Development Commission (UDC), introducing legislation in a bid to eliminate duplication and improve service delivery.

As the House of Assembly debated the Rural and Urban Development Commission Bill, Acting Prime Minister Dr William Duguid outlined the rationale behind the move, noting that the merger would consolidate the assets, liabilities and responsibilities of both commissions under a single state-owned enterprise, making development projects more efficient and effective.

He stressed that while both commissions had served Barbados well, their functions had begun to overlap, creating inefficiencies in resource allocation and administrative costs. 

“This bill will make provision for the establishment of the Rural and Urban Development Commission, transfer of assets and liabilities, and repeal the existing laws governing both entities,” Dr Duguid said.

“What we are doing today is not common in this honourable chamber – bringing together two state-owned enterprises into one. But it is necessary to ensure we provide the best possible service to the people of Barbados.”

The RDC, created in 1996, was initially tasked with providing housing, infrastructure support and agricultural development in rural areas, while the UDC, established in 1993, focused on urban renewal and social improvement projects.

But over time, the distinction between urban and rural needs had blurred, and there was growing inefficiency in running two separate commissions with similar mandates, the senior minister said.

In the Throne Speech delivered in September 2020 at the opening of Parliament by then Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, now the president, the Mottley administration declared its intention to merge the two agencies into a “National Development Commission”.

“The NDC will better and more efficiently deliver services in communities and in the  fight against poverty,” the speech declared.

Dr Duguid noted several key objectives behind the merger, including cost reduction, better resource management and faster service delivery, arguing that eliminating redundancy in administrative roles and consolidating projects under a single agency would lead to greater efficiency.

“What does this mean for Barbadians? It means services will be delivered on time and on budget,” Dr Duguid said.

“A single, unified structure allows us to better manage funds and staff, ensuring that both rural and urban communities benefit equally from government assistance.”

The bill also includes provisions for digital transformation, which the acting prime minister described as a critical step in modernising how development projects are managed.

He said the government envisions a future where Barbadians can apply for assistance online, track the status of their applications and receive real-time updates on development projects.

“Imagine being able to go online, apply for house repairs, see what types of repairs are available, and follow your application step by step. That is the future we are working toward,” he said.

The bill also establishes the new Rural and Urban Development Commission, outlines its functions and defines the role of its governing board and chief executive officer.

It empowers the commission to manage land, build and maintain buildings, provide housing and oversee social and recreational amenities.

It also allows the minister responsible to designate development areas, enabling the commission to redevelop entire communities in need of upgrades.

In addressing concerns about staff transitions, Dr Duguid gave an assurance that all employees of the RDC and UDC would be given the option to transfer to the new commission under revised terms and that those who declined the offer would be provided with a voluntary separation package.

But in his response, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne urged the government to ensure that no worker is left unemployed, noting that employees who do not transition to the new entity should be given priority for re-employment or at least a contractual arrangement to prevent long-term job losses.

“If one person suffers permanent unemployment from this merger, that is one too many,” he said.

“Those who have given years of service should not be discarded. They must be given first preference for re-employment under contract.”

Thorne further noted that while some workers might be offered voluntary separation packages, severance should only be a temporary bridge, not a path to permanent joblessness.

“Severance is meant to tide you over until you find new employment. The government must ensure that no one falls through the cracks,” he said. (SM)