Things Arthur must look at / LETTERS

Publication: Daily Nation
Paper Section And Page: 10
Paper Date: Tue, Feb 15, 2000

THE recent response by the Prime Minister to the critique on the performance of the Government by the editor of The Nation, Mr. Harold Hoyte, is yet another instance of Arthur responding to the messenger and not the message. I believe that Barbadians expect our leaders to focus on the issues presented and not on folly. Like Mr. Hoyte I want some attention paid to:

• the declining conditions of the roads;
• the escalating levels of indiscipline;
• the garbage problems;
• service at the QEH;
• disorderliness in the public transportation sector;
• sickening conditions at the Welfare Department;
• the increasing cost of food;
• improving the response by the Water Authority to reports on damage mains;
• better conditions of service for nurses and policemen;
• some maintenance to the National Insurance Building;
• the bus service; and
• the increasing mendicant disposition of Barbadians, particularly the
  young.

Mr. Prime Minister, these are a few of the bread and butter issues that may have concerned the editor. However unlike him, I find no comfort in the management of the economic and financial affairs of Barbados. Maybe you may want to explain why it is that after six years:

• The performance of tourism which is on a steady decline;
• manufacturing is struggling and maybe on its death bed;
• that after the structural adjustment of the sugar sector the cost of the industry continues to be a source of concern;
• that the offshore sector has shown a drastic decline from the performances of 1994 and 1995; 
• that the cost of living continues to rise;
• that the levels of unemployment do not reflect a reduction in the levels of crime;
• that the public has no idea how much money has been spent on the South Coast Sewage project; the Greenland dump; the National Housing Corporation and the Transport Board;
• that after an excess of VAT ($300 million) the public services remain inferior; and
• housing requests by low income earners are not matched by adequate provisions.

The honeymoon is over and praise must now be earned by performance.

­ Derek Alleyne