Moontown

DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE

JUNE 8, 2008

North Stars has finally been elevated to its true status. This elevation was done by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, who has publicly admitted the virtues of North Stars and has chided those who did not support me from proffering North Stars as the location where the other complex should have been constructed. It is clear that the Prime Minister has acknowledged that the alternative views offered were sensible and would have solved his present headaches had he gone along with my suggestions. It is evident that he understands that all costs associated with the project must be accounted for. Those direct and indirect.

Some persons who ignored what I was saying are now saying that I am against the hosting of World Cup Cricket in the West Indies. What I am against is the ICC changing the dates of the game and taking away the tourism advantage we had, bearing in mind that the gates receipts do not belong to us and considering that our hoteliers are now faced with a scenario where regular customers have to compete with World Cup customers. I told Barbadians to concentrate on the night aspect of tourism and to leave the seats for the tourists. This suggestion is made because the gate receipts belong to the ICC and the GCC, therefore, every local attending the World Cup will be participating in the foreign exchange loss of the country.

During the debate, many things were admitted by the Government side, and it was clear to those who had foresight that the Opposition had genuine concerns that has to be addressed. The promise by the Prime Minister to amend certain sections of the Sunset Legislation should be good advice to certain Journalists to leave the writer alone when he is expressing concerns about things that will affect the lives of Barbadians.

I have watched my ideas being used in support of arguments of other persons who did not even utter such words, and I have witnessed persons ignoring my speeches to protect others. It is clear to me, that some persons even though they believe in seeing everything in a book for it to be Gospel seem not to appreciate the Bible. Such persons, who feel that I have to wait on them for my glory, seem not to understand that it is like repenting after you have finished crucifying the wrong person. I have said before, that I have been given a talent and I will not allow anyone to deter me from that mission that was laid down for me by a power greater than anyone of us. It is time that people stop playing the individual and try to counter the contents. When I speak or write, it is because I have studied and questioned what I am writing. I am my own critic, and accept that mistakes can be made, so I look for them.

Jealousy seems to be the biggest legacy being practiced in Barbados. It seems that some persons have made it their business to try to make certain persons look stupid whenever they have to discuss matters. They believe that others have limited ability and can only accept information from two and three Negrocrats. They also do everything in their power to try to destroy the number 1 Negrocrat, who has the ability to be the number 1and 2 Negrocrats by choice. People with limited ability should stop trying to embarrass persons with genuine ability. These persons end up making fools of themselves.

Wait! “Market Vendor” are you going around Kensington with your tray to be charged? Realising that this Ambush Marketing is all about you. It is felt that you are so powerful, that your tray is set up in one location, but your voice and face can be seen taking control of your competitors by having their clients listening to you every morning and evening. I am also told, that you should stay where you are, because Kensington is worst than any of the prisons we have in Barbados. These fellows worked it out well man, you have to rush to get there, by park and ride, so you do not have to walk pass the vendors even if they are allowed to get a scotch outside and when you are leaving, your transportation is there for you to drive pass them. Worst yet, when you are in and you cannot come back out, because if you do, you have to find another ticket, if you can find one.

I warned this country about “All inclusiveness” in the Sugar Industry, Tourism and now they have it in Cricket. These same persons who pretend they do not understand “Kellmanomics” are the ones accepting “All inclusiveness” even though it is foreign to us and anti the masses of the country. These persons cannot and will not accept genuine approaches that would develop Barbados to see the light of day. This will occur, once the suggestions are coming from this writer. North Stars will now be accepted by these persons even though it has long been endorsed by the masses of Barbados. This acceptance can now be seen because the Prime Minister has accepted and endorsed the location as fit for elevation.

Even though that North Stars has not been given its rightful place in World Cup Cricket 2007, let us ensure that by 2010, that the blinkers would have been taken off and the blockage to the artery leading to the brain is cleared. The St. Elmo’s St. Lucy Sports Competition organizers will continue to support the location. We take this opportunity to thank all those who supported this competition and those who could not, we thank you too. It was not your fault that you didn’t, but ours. This competition continues to be the best competition around and every year the BCL and the BCA can feel proud of the Independence of the clubs in the North. These clubs start off with a cash flow and this allows them to perform well, without the unnecessary stress.

I have already said that we at North Stars should capitalize night cricket. I hope that now the Prime Minister has spoken that the additional lands required to construct additional stands will be provided by the Minister of Housing and Lands. I have considered the speech by the Prime Minister as an order to his Minister to expedite the vision of the people of the North. The Prime Minister has recognized that our country has been deprived of real development. This development has its origin in the North and it offers opportunities to Barbados that cannot be ignored anymore.

I want to publicly thank the Minister of Public Works for completing his 2005/2006 programme and look forward to his 2006/2007. This would see roads from Colleton to North Stars, Nesfield to North Stars and other tenantry’s roads being completed. We also want to thank the officers at Rural for their contribution and look forward for a footpath leading to Cave Hill from Pie Corner and some more substantial work as per list provided. This would safeguard the lives of our school children in the area and make accessibility easier. We are still waiting for the lights to be transferred from the roundabout to the road leading to Alleynedale, after requesting that this to be done for nearly five years.

Peace, love, unity, humility, wisdom and understanding.

RICE AND PEAS; MACARONI PIE

YAM PIE; BBQ SPARERIBS

BAKED CHICKEN; BAKED PORK

FRIED SNAPPER; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH

LAMB STEW; FISH GRAVY

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOSSED SALAD

A promise by the finance minister to curb the high expenditure associated with government vehicles has been met with satisfaction from members of the public, who are of the view that for too long, the wanton abuse of state assets has gone unabated.

During Monday’s budget presentation, the government has pledged to advance a policy implemented this year, where there will be no new purchases of vehicles and a reduction in the distribution of gas. Finance Minister Harold Lovell says going forward, the policy will be advanced.

“Included in this (policy), is further reducing the amount spent on fuel by requiring all officers and consultants that maintain possession of government vehicles at all times to purchase their own gas.

“This essentially means that anyone who has possession of a government vehicle outside of working hours and over weekends will be responsible will be responsible for purchasing fuel for the vehicle,” Lovell said.

For those who will not readily agree to purchasing fuel, they will be given the option to park the government vehicles at the motor pool in the evenings and return for them at the start of the work day, while those who choose to forego their travelling allowance for a government vehicle will continue to receive fuel.

School buses and other essential vehicles will continued to receive fuel from government’s motor pool, but strict rules will apply, which include vehicles returning to the motor pool at the end of the work day, unless on official business.

Lovell has indicated that the current fleet of vehicles will be downsized, with public officers being given first preference to make purchases, once vehicles go on sale. Members of the public will also be given an opportunity to cash in.

Government predicts its expenses will be significantly reduced once the policy related to its vehicles is implemented. (Antigua Sun)

Samuels KINGSTON (CMC):

Marlon Samuels is eyeing a return to West Indies colours once he finishes a two-year ban for links to an Indian bookie.

Samuels was found guilty of sharing team information with Mukesh Kochar prior to a one-day international against India in Nagpur on January 21, 2008.

The Jamaican’s ban expires on May 9 next year and he hopes to add to his 29 Tests and 107 ODIs.

“Most definitely; my intention is to return to the West Indies team,” he told the website Cricinfo. “I have trained very hard and been very disciplined while I have been out of the game. The two years will be over soon.

“I want to bat number four for West Indies. I am very much looking forward to batting again with guys like Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. I think I could have a positive impact.”

He added: “It’s always hard to see your team lose. I’m a West Indian and that will always be my team. I hope Chris Gayle will pick up his troops and take them to bigger and better things.

“I watch a lot of games and a lot of tapes. It has been very frustrating sitting and watching cricket all this time, but I am hoping to come back better than before. I will definitely come back with a stronger frame of mind.”

Reflecting on the original case, Samuels said: “I don’t want to go into too much detail, but it really has been one man against the world.

“An appeal would not have worked. I had a lot of telephone conversations with all kinds of people and they told me an appeal would be a waste of time.”

Innocent

He noted: “There have been (cases where) past players come out and say things about me when they have done the same things themselves. The entire world has seen my case and knows that I am innocent.”

Chairman of West Indies selectors, Clyde Butts, feels there is a place for Samuels in the Caribbean side’s line-up as he looked ahead to Test series against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

“Once Marlon’s suspension is over and he’s playing cricket again he will be considered,” he said.

“Of course, the performances have to be there. When Marlon was suspended he was just starting to score a lot of runs and looked the part. He’s someone who could strengthen the middle order and he also offers part-time off spin.”(Jamaica Gleaner)

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
Tufton

Jamaica should know by year end whether the Government has been successful in divesting its sugar burden.

“Based on the discussions with the entities we are talking to, we expect to have feedback, one way or the other, positive or negative, by the end of the year,” Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton told Parliament on Tuesday.

He was responding to questions posed by Roger Clarke, opposition spokesman on agriculture.

Tufton refused to set a deadline for the divestment of the sugar estates and factories, noting that he had done so before, only for it not to materialise.

“The timeline cannot be specific because it is a negotiation and I don’t want to run the risk of giving an exact date as we did last time, and when we did not meet that (deadline) it was perceived as a failed process,” Tufton said.

June 2008 deadline

The Government had set June 2008 as the deadline for divesting the sugar estates. However, the state missed that deadline. It later divested the St Thomas Sugar Estate and factory, and Long Pond and Hampden estates and factories in June this year.

The country is currently in talks with Eridania, a Swiss company, for the divestment of Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge. Tufton said that a team from Eridania, which was in the island, has returned home and disclosed that he expects a response from them soon.

Should Government fail to divest the sugar factories this year, Tufton said the backup plan will be to have the state operate the sugar factories for another year.

Major restructuring

“One of the least-discussed issues around the divestment of the sugar estates has been the extent to which the government-owned entities have undergone major restructuring over the past year. The truth is that we have not only divested two entities but we have also rationalised and restructured the existing entities that we are operating,” Tufton said.

The agriculture minister listed the closing of the Bernard Lodge factory, the right-sizing of organisations and the effecting of repairs of the two existing factories - Frome and Monymusk - as reasons not to panic if the divestment does not happen this year.

“We will see, this year, government intervention in terms of subsidies be either non-existent or, at worse case, very limited,” Tufton said.

‘An achievement’

He added: “It would be an achievement in itself, whether or not we are able to divest the remaining three within this year.”

The Government has said it cannot continue to shoulder the debt of the Sugar Company of Jamaica, which exceeds $16 billion, growing by approximately $2 billion per annum.

Former banker Aubyn Hill has been contracted to provide consulting service for the divestment of the Government’s interest in the sugar estates and factories. He is being paid $1.9 million monthly, an arrangement which Tufton says will be reviewed by year end.

Earnings from Jamaica’s cane-based sugar industry have declined.

Donovan Morrison, a resident of the River Head, St Thomas, discusses his community’s water woes. He says that while the rest of the island has been experiencing a drought because of low rainfall, his community has had poor water supply for years. - Photos by Norman Grindley/Chief PhotographerCentral and eastern parishes are now feeling the brunt of drought conditions which have largely affected the Corporate Area, as Jamaica’s water woes persist.

Of 460 systems controlled by the National Water Commission (NWC) islandwide, more than 80 are being affected in the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Mary, Portland, St Ann, Manchester and St Elizabeth.

NWC Corporate Communi-cations Manager Charles Buchanan told The Gleaner that drought-management measures have been put in place.

Buchanan said the strategy does not include scheduled water lock-offs but, rather, limited supply to these areas.

“The situation remains the same as we are having challenges with limited inflows at the Hermitage Dam and the Mona Reservoir,” he said.

Buchanan said a task force has been set up in the Ministry of Water and Housing to address the crisis, and an inter-agency alliance has been formed between the NWC and that ministry.

Plan to be made public

Last week, The Gleaner reported that some institutions in the Corporate Area had been affected by the water shortage, with one high school having to end classes early because of low pressure.

Director of Communications at the Ministry of Education, Colin Blair, said the ministry was tweaking its drought-response plan, which will be made public soon. He said the ministry has an agreement in place with the NWC to truck water to schools which need it.

He told The Gleaner that schools already have developed their own responses, such as advising students to bring drinking water to school, staggering hours to ensure that water is used evenly, and the use of disposable plates, instead of those that require washing.

Buchanan said the drought might have taken many by surprise as customers served by the Mona Reservoir have not had such severe disruptions in more than 20 years. There are, therefore, either no storage facilities or inadequate storage.

The two storage areas - the Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam - are at less than 50 per cent capacity.

On Monday, a Gleaner news team visited the Negro River in St Thomas, where it was clear that the water level was well below the catchment area’s optimal capacity. Watermarks could be seen on the wall of the storage area as a steady stream of water flowed into the pipeline.

Residents in the area told The Gleaner there has not been the usual amount of rainfall this year. Those living close to the system also complained that they, too, have been experiencing poor supply - and that was even before the drought started.

This marker at River Head, St Thomas, shows the low level of water at Negro River. (Jamaica Gleaner)