In 2009 late Prime Minister David Thompson approved a hike in water rates charged by 60% with the promise the increased cash flow would improve the level of service and upgrade to equipment by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) – see Has the BWA Short-changed Barbadians After Benefiting from a 60% Rate Hike in 2009? Nearly six years later there has been no significant change. The replacement project of eighty year old mains has been delayed by industrial and other issues although there has been improvement how the BWA communicates its many challenges to the public, BUT overall, there has been no quantum lift in the efficiency of the BWA. We can discuss on another blog what policy position has been taken to significantly reduce or replace the cost of pumping water to the tune of approximately one million dollars monthly which the Barbados Light & Power is happy to pocket.
At this time of the year – to mimic the 11 plus chatter – there is a hue and cry about dry taps and the havoc it causes to schools and nurseries forced to close operations along with other inconveniences. BU and sensible Barbadians are sympathetic to BWA workers who have to work around the clock to fix broken water mains and all the other activities to get things back on track.
Recently listeners to Voice of Barbados 92.9 heard the BWA’s Communications Specialist in an emotional but sincere explanation of the many challenges confronting the BWA. The electorate needs to be given more respect, it needs to hear Ms. Haig’s quick responses to day to day queries and concerns BUT what taxpayers need to hear also is from government through the minister responsible, to share a critical path analysis of the deliverable which were promised by the late David Thompson in his 2009 speech to the BWA.
Frankly some of us have become sick and tired of state corporation after state corporation operating at a low level of efficiency. The low performances do no align with our ‘high’ level of education, and instead meets the definition of a banana republic. Sadly it seems we have little to no self- awareness that by allowing our governance and management systems to disintegrate we are eroding the progress which our ancestors slaved to build on our behalf.
BU and thousands of Barbadians supported the message of change by this government in 2008 and also voted to extend the mandate under Prime Minister Stuart when the alternatives were considered. There is enough evidence after six years for all to grade the kneejerk, adhoc, stupid public responses to issues of the day coming from this government. We have lost our leadership position in the Caribbean to the ‘low’ islands in the process.
A decade worth of Auditor General reports tell a story of the decline in state governance, graft, political ignorance yet like the Emperor and his new clothes Barbadians respond by continuing to be silent, disengaging from basic civic responsibilities or hold politically partisan positions. Bishop John Holders’s recent message to parliamentarians was on the money but will likely not resonate.
We need water to flow from our taps because frequent interrupted supply will impact the quality of life we boast about to the world. Also our government and others to follow, need to appreciate if they make the people a promise – in this scenario a 60% increase in water rates to support a better functioning BWA – six years later there must be a coherent report to the nation why we have been marking time.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.