Arthur baffled
(Owen Arthur: Barbados needs a rescue package to rescue our enterprises.)
Tue, July 20, 2010 - 12:00 AM
WHY ARE VITAL SECTORS such as energy, international business and sugar still in the hands of Senator Darcy Boyce?
That was the concern expressed by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur last Sunday as he questioned Boyce’s performance as Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, especially in light of Barbados’ flagging economy.
Arthur said energy fell within the ambit of his responsibility and that sector was floundering. He added that the sugar also fell within Boyce’s responsibility and that was near collapse.
The St Peter MP, who was speaking at a Barbados Labour Party Christ Church West branch meeting at Arthur Smith Primary School, said even though there was a Minister of International Business (George Hutson), Boyce was responsible for international business. And, he stressed, that sector had fallen by 50 per cent.
“Barbados needs a rescue package to rescue our enterprises. We need a direction for the economy. But you have a minister who is like an Arctic river, frozen at the mouth, while the country is looking for direction, a voice and a purpose,” Arthur stated.
He explained that one of the major problems that the current administration had was the belief that they had to govern exactly as they did when they vacated office in 1994.
“In 1994, the Ministry of Finance had responsibility for energy; it had responsibility for the agricultural sector; for sugar. And it was for good reason because the [Barbados National Bank] debt had to be taken over by two institutions. So you had a financial issue that required the sugar industry to be under the Ministry of Finance. The international business sector too was under the Ministry of Finance and David Thompson was Minister of Finance . . . . They have recreated a Ministry of Finance exactly as it was supposed to have been when Thompson was the minister.”
Arthur suggested that in Thompson’s absence, Boyce should be “stepping up to the plate”.
He also called on Boyce to reveal why two serious-minded individuals such as Jerry Thorne (chairman) and Paul Bernstein (member) had resigned from the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTII) under his watch.
- Editor's Choice
- Most Read Stories Today
- Bobby Brown reacts to Whitney's death
- Pass masters
- Of love, togetherness and devotion
- Gun target
- New details on Whitney's death
- Million dollar man
- Not in US!
Recent Comments
- Paul Worrell commented on ‘Gone to heaven’ together
- MIKE LINDO commented on Stoute defence of talent show
- MIKE LINDO commented on Bobby Brown reacts to Whitney's death
- Marc Menard commented on Hair row
- Bim Bum commented on Not in US!
Share your thoughts
Please sign in or register to post your comments.
Page 1 of 1 pages
Dr. Jerry Thorne and Paul Berstein are only two of the directors who resigned from the board of the BTI, what about the Deputy Chairman, Mark Prescott and Director, Decoursey Headly.
All four resigned at the same time. What would cause half of a board to all resign? Would have to be a very serious matter indeed.
Was it to do with the Pierhead Marina project. Were these directors unwilling to award a contract to VECO / Signature Management Inc?
Was VECO and SMI not the same group involved in the HMP Dodds?
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkWhy can’t the DLP and BLP administrations put their personal differences and politics aside for the well being of our country? Come together people, and find a way to dig our economy out of the slump that all of you are responsible for creating. This isn’t about Owen, George or Darcy individually…..it’s about Barbados and the Barbadian society.
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkThe DLP is incompetent when it comes to economic matters, however Arthur is no great specialist. we need new blood in politics. each party is inept when it comes to economic management in these times as neither has the fortitude to do the things necessary i.e. cutting the fat
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkI agree. The Barbados government’s structure is the most complicated I ever see. When I look at the government websites of other nations in the region all of their Cabinet structure are neat and easy to follow. It would be something like: “Min. of Agriculture”, “Min. of Commerce and Trade”, “Min. of Communications, Works, and Transport”, “Min. of Tourism”. Then I look at the Barbados one, and the names look like they’re so long and something I could only term as “Obzocky”. Some names even seem contradictory “Foreign trade”, “Foreign transport”, really????? I mean wouldn’t domestic trade just be a “Ministry of Commerce?”. For a couple years on the Barbados government website there were two “Ministers of State”. I don’t know why these ministries in Barbados always have to be scattering about all over the place every few months almost like we can’t make up our mind. And some of the acronyms can be dropped too from the official ministry name.
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkI think that people must put away their differences and stop trying to put thoughts in the heads of the population. Barbadians know when a thesis antithesis and synthesis is being played out . We know a lot about ancient history to be fooled by any comments , that person will state from time to time . Stories always have three sides . The truth is the only thing that matters. Personal opinions and agendas are a waste of time . Cooperation is the key to success
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkI would have suggested Prime Minister be in charge of “Ministry of Finance, Lands, and Civil Service”.
The empowerment of the Office of the Governor General with the role of Defence and National Security instead. Esp. as the Vice-Royal is the de-facto Head of State.
Beyond those I’d have:
*“Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment.”
*“Ministry of Education”(includes Youth of course)
*“Ministry of Health”
*“Ministry of Housing and (National) Development”
*“Ministry of Home Affairs, Diaspora, and Immigration.”
*“Ministry of Foreign Affairs”
*“Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.”(Perhaps even just called “Commerce and Industry” it could include “Energy” w/o mention.)
*“Ministry of Communications, Transport, and Works” (Could include ICT).
*“Ministry of Culture and Tourism” (includes Sports)
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkLastly, I would add a
*“Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs”, with the role of aiding the government on constitutional reforms. Further it would make recommendations for sound policy in the evolution of the Barbadian legal system. The Attorney General would answer to it as well. It would also consult with members of the judiciary.
- 0
- 0
Comment LinkPage 1 of 1 pages