What’s Trending: $8M Plea

Sun, June 10, 2012 - 9:19 AM

The Nation’s Associate Editor, Sherie Holder-Olutayo takes a look at what’s trending today in Barbados.

Today’s Sunday Sun front page story which revealed that REDjet officials had approached the Barbados government for an $8 million injection has our online readers talking. Ian Burns said that he pressed for $8m which had been promised to them at a January 14 meeting with several government ministers. Our online readers expressed their views on this issue.

Bim Bum: Hopefully, the suffering Barbados Taxpayer has been saved a further $ 8,000,000. Let Burns try his luck in Ireland where he came from! Or in Trinidad, who didn't want RedJet in the first place!

John DaSilva: Funny how they can pour $40 million a year into the Transport Board, but can't make a strategic investments of $8 million into something that will add to the local economy.

Peter S. A. Francis: If it is that Barbados is a shareholder in that cash cow of an airline which costs a lot and gives very poor quality, why then would they support the competition. Regarding stimulating the economy, there is no need, the way they tax us takes care of all the debt they have. Further, the transport board comment, they implemented a free bus ride system for school children (no problem there) but they have not thought of a way to ensure it is not abused (HUGE problem there). And finally, this market traditionally does not encourage competition.