More equal distribution of projects needed

Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie Symmonds today conceded that Government needs to move away from the consolidation of wealth in Barbados.

Speaking during debate on the Prevention of Corruption Bill, 2021 in Parliament, Symmonds agreed with suggestions by Opposition Leader Reverend Joseph Atherley that a select few were benefiting from Government projects.

Atherley pointed a finger at construction magnate Mark Maloney, who he said was a major benefactor having been granted projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Symmonds admitted that there needed to be a more equal distribution of those projects.

“The issue developmentally cannot be about individualistic finger pointing. There has to be a point at which intelligent people sitting in a Parliament must be prepared to confront the developmental issues of the country and speak to them as they are.

“And what is the developmental issue? The developmental issue in my humble submission, is that Barbados has to confront the consolidation of wealth where so ever it exists and howsoever it exists and treat to that problem by way of building out new opportunities for people across sectors. We are speaking effectively to a perpetuation of consolidation of wealth, consolidation of opportunity, consolidation of access, consolidation of finance, all of those things in the hands of a small pocket,” Symmonds said.

“If I were the leader of the Opposition sitting there as a would be Prime Minister, I would say that the challenge to the country is larger, that the challenge to the country, therefore, must be that we now break down these arrangements that allow for wealth to be consolidated in small pockets, that we democratize the economic system in this country, democratize opportunity, democratize access to capital.”

However, Symmonds said political parties should not be seen as corrupt for giving opportunities to these particular groups.

He said the banking sector in Barbados, as currently set up, disadvantaged financially under-privileged persons.

The minister maintained that this was not a new development as during his time in Opposition he also raved about the same issue.

“I felt then as I do now that at that time and at this time the consolidation of wealth is a bad thing. I don’t have any difficulty in saying that…and that is why as minister responsible for business I try my best to create opportunities to broaden the base of participation in whatever way I can in this country,” Symmonds said. (RB)