Like the BLP leadership isn’t going to be satisfied until they sell off all of Barbados!  I wonder who are these “ordinary” Barbadians that are going to become owners of these entities.  Furthermore, are we to expect that private investors are going to invest potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in these entities only to be subjected to high regulation by the Government which could depress profits?  What’s next, selling naming rights to the island?  I can see it now, ladies and gentleman welcome to BIG BUSINESS, formerly known as BARBADOS.

This is one of the best constructive speeches I have read from Ms Mottley. This is a paradigm in the way government operates for generations. However, unfortunately none of her suggestions will considered due to political structure of the island. I would take her suggestion a step further and suggest the Government:
•  Privatise the CBC TV station, thus enabling freedom of the Press.
•  Privatise the Hilton Hotel and other hotel holdings.
•  Establish a quasi corporation to run the QEH hospital to alleviate this institution from political interference. In this way management can develop long term solutions to address the health care needs of the population.
•  Outsource some of the civilian functions at the Sanitation, Police and Fire Departments to local private corporations.

I believe privatisation would reduce cost and improve efficiency in Government while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and the general population.

Wise words from a wise woman.  I hope government consider these suggestions, because the only option they have been able to come up with is to increase taxes and prices.

We need a government that is creative in these hard times to help us through this recession.

I always thought that “Government”, in its fiduciary role, managed these state-owned entities on behalf of the “ordinary Barbadians”, the people who are the real owners of said entities. Interestingly, Ms. Mottley would now let the “ordinary Barbadians” get ownership of these entities.  Perhaps Ms. Mottley’s perspective is indicative of how she sees the “ordinary Barbadian” as fools who would buywhat he/she already owns.  Moreover, aren’t ownership and self-sufficiency two of the characteristics we, as a society, should be striving for?

From Government’s point of view, this is a great idea since it would earn them some much needed cash. From a potential investor’s point of view, this is a lousy idea because: 1. These entites regularly lose large sums of money. 2. Gov’t would sell only a minority interest thus retaining control and perpetuating the poor mnagement these entities are known for. 3. Investors invest for capital gains or dividends, neither of which would be forthcoming from these not-run-for-profit enterprises. BAD idea.

Following the above submission of CARL A. HUSBANDS,there is no further need for debate on the subject.

Just read about ground breaking for a project up in Merricks, St. Phillip.  Also, we have all of these projects spearheaded by non-Barbadian interests going up all over the place.  So what’s next.  Have non-Barbadian ownership of the airport and seaport so that the “tourist” experience can be privitised before they are transported to their private locations with their private beaches on the island via the private transportation lines.  Remember, we might not own Barbados but at least we got affordable health care if we could afford to survive long enough before an ambulance comes or we get to see a doctor at QEH. And don’t forget all that free tertiary education might get us a servicing job at one of these private hotels. Boy, ain’t it proud to be Bajan.

Where ignorance is bliss,its folly to be wise….

Carl A. Husbands and Bare Foot Boy are two of a kind…
unlearned, uninformed and unfamiliar, but not unbelievable. Go figure!

Mia,

The people of Barbados technically owns the Transport Board.  After all, they pay taxes which subsidies its operation.

Is that not correct?

I`ve seen my comments did not make it.Can you say why was it not published?

@ YOU BAJANS TOOOO FUNNY!
Don’t forget UNFAZED by your utterances.

Bajans can no more claim to own the Transport Board in Barbados than New Yorkers can claim to own the MTA in New York, and I’m surprised that Carl Husbands and Greg chose that line of argument when there are some many more good reasons to oppose the total privatisation of transportation system.
The Transport Board was formed in 1955 because the then private owners were unable to adequately service their routes. This would be the situation again tomorrow if the decision is reversed with proper regulation of routes and schedules, and controlled fares.
I don’t believe it is profitable to run buses/vans on strict schedules and routes at a profit without a substantial rise in the present fare. To keep the fares at a reasonable price government would have to pay subsides to the owners, and that is a no-no for many Bajans.
If it is impossible to control and regulate the PSVs presently on the road, is it reasonable to assume we would be able to control twice the amount in the future?

@ BAREFOOT BOY: Thanks to you and Carl Husbands for rational comments. @ John Perkins, you also made some good suggestions. I find however that quasi organisations today are the duplicate offices designed for improper activities. I do want to ask why the Opposition Leader is now giving birth to these ideas when the very companies existed during her tenure in office.

Where was this idea when she was in power all those years? She knows that as soon as these companies are privatised, the fares, etc will go up and the DLP will be raked over the coals.  The only reason the ZR and Minibuses haven’t raised the fare is because they can’t. Smart, smart, woman.

@ Alfred Alleyne
Respectfully, I must disagree with you.  For too long, Bajans have just accepted one or two people’s words/actions when it comes to the Barbadian peoples’ interests.  Question EVERY action or endeavour undertaken or proposed by the elected officials on behalf of the “Barbadian people”. You have a right to a plausible answer/explanation. If it is done in furtherance of your interests then you are reasonable and intelligent enough to appreciate it.  If the action is adverse to your interests then let them know that such an act is unacceptable.  Let there be PUBLIC debate on the issues.  Not this childish political back and forth between ALL POLITICIANS AND PARTIES to discredit each other.  You could believe in your party but don’t do so blindly.  If they are right then praise them but when they are wrong criticize them.  Barbados is way too sweet and special to think that any one person or group is better than it.