Friday, March 29, 2024

Take steps to reduce debt

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These days when one listens to the radio, television or reads the newspaper, it is all about serious problems of the debt and deficit burden facing Barbados.
Barbados has to make a $400 million adjustment to the deficit as revealed by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart during the all-day Public/Private Sector Consultation at Hilton Barbados last week.
Some commentators are of the view that the size of the public sector must be reduced. But this week I want to look at an area that commentators have failed to touch or look at.
It is about the many “MP” and “ML” vehicles that are owned by the Government. I must make it clear that I am not pointing at anyone; but what I am writing about is because of the love for my country. I am aware that there are certain things that you cannot touch when dealing with the MP vehicles for they go with certain jobs or posts – for example, the judges.
I believe that we can do without some of them. When one looks at Government departments with the  trucks, SUVs – you name it  – some of them are used by Government messengers for their day to day functions.
Years ago messengers used bicycles to carry out their daily functions. I am not saying that we should go back to the bicycle days, far from it, but motorcycles can be used and by doing so, that will be a great saving to the Government in energy costs.
One does not have to be an economist to know that by using motor cycles they will use less fuel than those “big rides.”  
There is another concern when it comes to savings for the Government with those MP and ML vehicles. It is that they are used by employees as their own private transportation. Who pays this fuel bill for private use?  
On Monday, during Down To Brass Tacks, one female caller said that on weekends and bank holidays she drives around Barbados in a Freundel Stuart and Chris Sinckler vehicle (MP/ML).
Something must be done about this if we are serious about saving our country.
Community health fair
St Philip’s Parish Church will be holding a Community Health Fair tomorrow, from noon to 6 p.m. The Theme is Wholesome Living In Spirit, Mind And Body at the Church Village hardcourts, St Philip. The activities include health tests, demonstrations by the Knights Advantage Club, Cancer Society and Asthma Association and on elder abuse, NCDs, fitness, zumba and line dancing.
Harvest market
The Church of the Resurrection will be holding a harvest market tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the car park of the Fair Trading Commission, Good Hope, Green Hill, St Michael.
On sale will be produce including cassava, sweet potatoes and onions; drinks including mauby, ginger beer, sorrel, golden apple, cherry and passion fruit; bread and cakes; delicacies such as pudding and souse, cou-cou.
Annual convention
The annual convention of the Moravian Church in Barbados, in observance of the martyrdom of John Hus, takes place on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Moravian Church, Roebuck Street, St Michael. The preacher at the service of Holy Communion will be Rev. Dr Cicely Athill-Horsford. A programme, entitled Men In Motion, will be held at 3:30 p.m.
Patronal festival
The St Silas Church patronal festival  will take place next week under the theme: Wholeness within the Family.
On Sunday, there will be services at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., when the preacher will be Rev. Wayne Kirton. From Monday to Friday, there will be services at 7:30 p.m. each night with the speakers being ministers Fequel LaPlante, Luther Johnson, Joseph King, Anthony Harewood and Amrela Massiah.
Fish fry
The St Joseph’s Parish Church will be holding its annual fish fry on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the hardcourt opposite the church at Horse Hill.
St Matthias concert
The St Matthias Augmented Choir will be holding its annual mid-year concert on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the church, Hastings, Christ Church.    
Fair
St Augustine’s Anglican Church fair will be held on the Rectory Grounds, Market Hill, St George tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Music by Daddy Fatts.  
Evangelistic services
The Moravian Church’s annual evangelistic services continue tonight at 7:15 p.m. at the Sharon Moravian Church, Jackson, St Thomas. The theme is Surrendering To God.
Welcome
We welcome Belizean Father Earl Henry, his wife and son, who are on holiday in Barbados. He was trained at Codrington College in the 1970s.
He is now working in the Diocese of Florida. 

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