Dr Gibbons: Why Did It Happen At All?
OBA MP Dr. Grant Gibbons has spoken out about Premier’s statement overspending such as we saw with the TCD project will not be repeated, asking why it happen at all.
In October 2010, Auditor General Heather Jacobs released a report on the TCD Emissions Programme. Ms Jacobs said the initial budgeted cost was $5.3 million, however it ended up costing the taxpayer approximately $10 million more – $15.23 million.
Speaking in the House of Assembly this past Friday [July 22] about the over spending for the TCD project, Premier Paula Cox said she can “state with great conviction that there will be no repeat of this type of performance under this Government.”
She went on to pledge that Bermuda “will not see this type of performance duplicated on the new Hospital project or any other capital project undertaken by this PLP Government going forward.”
Dr Gibbons said, “We appreciate Premier’s Cox’s promise in the House of Assembly to ensure that contracts managed outside the rules for her colleagues ‘won’t happen again.’ But the question must be asked: ‘Why did it happen at all?’
“The Premier, as Finance Minister since 2004, is responsible under the Bermuda Constitution for the public purse. In the case of the Bermuda Emissions contract, she had the authority to step in any time to stop breaches in Financial Instructions governing the management of capital projects. But she chose not to, and this is something all Bermudians need to consider.”
“As Premier Cox noted, Financial Instructions have been in place for many years to ensure the proper management and control of the Government’s capital projects and finances. But the acid test for those rules is whether you enforce them, whether you act. If you do not act and you have knowledge you are not doing your job.”
“The Premier as Finance Minister had all the latitude she needed to intervene and correct a project that saw a $5.3 million budget balloon to $15.1 million with no clear answers how it happened.”
“The Premier now says she is trying to change the way her Government does business. She can expect our support for initiatives that increase transparency and accountability. Her good governance bill is a start, but first steps do not a journey make. There is a long way to go before we can celebrate a new era of better governance,” concluded Dr Gibbons.
this guvmint has a history of overspending by 30-100%. who are the quantity surveyors, accountants, architects, contractors, all the people who profit from a 284% overspend?
cronyism, poor financial standards, thievery all come to mind!
the 40 thieves may have done 100000000000% more atrocities but I can tell you, this country will never survive going the way we are going. reminds me of Sierra Leone, Jamaica, the entire windward and leeward isands only 50 years later…..
It happened Dr. Gibbons because the PLP, under the Ministerial oversight of Paula Cox, shoveled vast amounts of money to PLP cronies. The PLP comes first; everyone else is a second class citizen. And what the hell are you going to do about it? Have you demanded an independent Office of Procurement? Please say yes. Otherwize your efforts are a waste of time.
We hear you Wondering, but unfortunately corruption is the curse of the entire world , and as you rightly stated, that includes the UBP, oops, the 40 thieves who were not without their own indiscretions. Granted, that doesn’t make what has taken place under the PLP any less troublesome. I find it interesting that you single out Sierre Leone, Jamaica and the entire Leeward Islands as areas of real concern to you. I was wondering why you restricted your concern to this group. When I think of government corruption I quickly go to a few very high profile cases / findings:
1. England—In 2009, a study completed by the Tax Payers Alliance in England looked at a sample of 240 projects and found a total NET overrun of more than 19 BILLION pounds…19,000,000,000. The National Programme for IT went over budget by 450%…450%…or 10.4 BILLION pound.
2.The USA…’The Big Dig’…Most of us know about this project but on the small chance that some of you don’t, consider this:
The Big Dig, aka, Americas Greatest Highway Robbery, was projected to be completed in 1998 at a cost of $2.2 Billion, however it wasn’t completed until 2007 at a cost of $14.6 BILLION, and with interest the cost came in at $22 Billion…Wow, 2.2 Billion to 22 Billion!!!
We could look at the many similar cases in Canada or most other countries, save maybe Singapore,but I think the point has been made. So Wondering and Got to Go, we appreciate your concern, because many of us are equally concerned, but you loose people like me when you attempt to skew the facts.
@ wondering says: So as far as you are concern, only the Countries with “Afro-centric Governments” are worthy of you of your critique. You are totally blind to all the corrupt, Euro-centric governments, that have had their fair share media coverage, as far as their failed policies and corrupt behaviors.
When you all come to the table with these one-sided and “Racist” comments, don’t expect anyone, (besides those who think like you)to take you serious.
You all are trying so hard to show “Black Bermuda” how incompetent their Government is, so you can get that needed 25% to put you back into power. What you are failing to see, and this is because you all are bankrupt for ideas, is that your comments, only serve to galvanize their support.
By constantly harping on how corrupt and incompetent the PLP is and then jump at every opportunity to draw references with these other Black run jurisdiction, as if to say, “see, you all can’t do nothing right”. This only shows up your level of ignorance as to what’s going on in the Bermuda and the rest of the world, for that sake.
I am the first to tell you that I am no PLP supporter, but being an objective person, I can see the good and the bad in everything. Unlike you passionate Party loyalist, who can only see the bad in the party you don’t support, especially, if that opposite party happens to be “Black”.
Question Free thinker do you support anything intitives that are “white”? How do readers know that you are not what you accuse others of here? I do not speak about other nations as I perfer to keep it Bermudian. I joined the plp which has been the only party I have been a card carring member of by the way. It seemed to me to be as bad in the mind set as any other race based group on all topics thats way I can’t support them now. They berate alot of forigners even though they owe much to people of west indian decent then they care to remeber.
LOL
To LOL (Original) I am going to assume you mean “initiative” we all do typos. I am not of that view, I don’t think any initiative can be correctly describes as “white” or “Black” for that sake. This would be playing into the stereo types that I am trying to point out, still exist.
People all too often reverts to these stereo types, when describing one group or another. I am just pointing out the facts, that whenever a negative parallel is to be drawn, only the ones that are associated with blacks are drawn. And it doesn’t matter who is saying it, black or white, the effects are the same. If whites say it, it’s something they learn to do as they grow. If blacks say it, it’s something they learn to do as they grow.
The bottom line is both races are inflected by this mentality, that say’s, “anything black is bad” and this for the most part, is not a conscious thought, but one that is planted there through exposure. The fact that your rational was, to say, you don’t refer to other nationalities because, according to you, “I prefer to keep it Bermudian” the fact that we have many other nationalities here with a corrupt and dis-functioning government back where they are from, and you can only relate to an African country and the Carebean, as far as poor governance is concern, has proved my point.
Sorry read what I said again. To clarify what other countries do that gets their voters upset or not really has no barring on what Bermuda’s Government is doing to us as the voter. We are separate if a Senator in the US is screwing a porn star or not I really don’t care about that. I care if the Bermuda government is screwing the Bermuda public. I did not make any reference to any other country black or white “controlled” that was “wondering” whom I’m not. The only point you have proved is that you are biased and defensive of the group of people you perceive that you belong to as it were. I’m sure you’ve seen my posts and if not I invite you to look at them as I really don’t care who is in control as long as they have all of us in mind to advance all of Bermuda not just some. The ideas I have in the past put forward or endorsed generally are about “unity in the community” as more than most are in the same boat weather you or any hard core support would like to think. Yes typically I have point out the Superiority complex I see developing in cretin people on this island only to highlight that although history is important we are not learning from it. Check it out yourself the oppressed almost always become the oppressor all though history. When people reach a cretin level of maturity it no longer is an implanted idea of bias it’s the person’s choice. The question is are we “Free Thinkers” or not? I have in the past state that I have supported PLP Ministers such as Mr. Weeks for example and have like wise stated to posters whom show racial bias statements that were uncalled for about blacks as well.
LOL trying to attain balance in all things only then will the rational become evident.
too much money could have been defrauded from the government
“Dr Gibbons: Why Did It Happen At All?”
Because the PLP are a bunch of incompetent amateurs that need to be fired.
@ Got to go — Maybe, but it could also be that they are simply politicians.
Politicians from the beginning of time have used their positions to enhance their personal lives. This is not unique to Bermuda since 98 nor is it a uiniquely Bermudian problem. It is naive or simply revisionist ranting to think that those associated with the former government were just in it for the good of the country… It is equally bizarre and a tad humorous to hear ex pats going on about corruption in Bermuda as if they haven’t seen this issue play out in a big way, in their countries of origin ( Singapore and Utopia aside )…
The above is not an excuse for what are clearly suspicious dealings, however to suggest that this is uncommon, is simply just playing politics..badly!!!
Does this negate that we in Bermuda need to start looking at ideals as we have been robbed badly + the recession and now need to control spending with an iron hand. Essentually it seems that you are ok with politicans doning this. I think politicans
should have to declare all interests like in the US.
LOL
Exactly. It’s all very well the “kool aid drinkers” applauding Cog for her “initiative” but she let this happen. It was on her watch.
Unfortunately, she procratinates, thinks some more, then acts after the horse has bolted. She is not a leader. She, and many of those in Cabinet NOW, share much of hte blame.
@ Sandgrowoman: One think I can respect you for, is that you make no bones about being a “Raciest” unlike some of these other folks, who just beat around the bush about it. Calling Black folks “Kool Aid Drinkers” that’s a classic.
Idiot.
@ Sandgrownan
Please refrain from these ‘literary temper tantrums.’ If you disagree with a post, please explain why. It is said that our ‘problem is not that we aim too high and miss the target, but we aim to low and hit it!!’
Let us all try to raise the standard of our posts… PLEASE
Alright then, pulling a the race card is old hat. Dr. Brown taught him well…..nah, actually, I prefer idiot. It’s succinct and accurate.
@ Vote for me
You know you lose credit when it is seen as you only go after certin posters for “temper tantrums” and say nothing to those who are trying to insite them. Try to be more balanced.
LOL
I’m sorry, Free Thinker, but how is calling PLP supporters “kool aid drinkers” in any way racist? Do you even know where that phrase originates from or the meaning of it?
Not to defend the poster or anything but I think you may be jumping the shark on this one.
Appreciated.
@ Alsys says: FYI, Kool-Aid Drinkers has been used to Stereo Type Black people for many decades. Typically, they would be refereed to as “Kool aid drinking, fried chicken eating ignorant folks” You all most live in a cocoon to not now this.
I am quite aware of the other uses of the phrase too. But that’s like saying, the word “Ni***r” means ignorant, when in fact, the word was only used, to describe black people, and black people to the folks who uses that word, are all ignorant.
While you would like to say it’s describing “Blind Followers” the question is this, which set of blind followers are always called “Kool aid drinkers” only the black blind followers of a particular party are usually refereed to as “Kool aid drinkers”. The 99% white followers of the former administrator, like Sandgrowoman, are never refereed to as “Kool aid drinkers”. They are just folks who all seems to magically think alike. Still think it’s a stretch? (Paraphrasing)
No, I think you’re an idiot.
Free Thinker…the hot air coming from your posts is singeing my eyebrows. Check your bloody facts before you start running your mouth. “Kool Aid Drinker” refers directly to the victims of the Jonestown Massacre, where Jim Jones instructed his “disciples” to drink cyanide laced kool aid. Since then, it refers to anyone who blindly follows a certain ideology and believes anything they are told, even when faced with contradicting facts. As much as you’d like it to be, the phrase has NOTHING to do with race. You are doing nothing but baiting people to engage in racial insults and insinuations. There’s a term for people like you….”troll”…look it up.
I was trying to stay out of this discussion, but I have to comment>
@ Free Thinker: “Kool Aid drinkers” most often refers to those followers of Jim Smith who blindly, without questioning, drank poisoned kool-aid because he told them to. It would never occur to me, and I am black and proud, to associate that phrase with black people. This is like the bizarre discussion of ‘boarding’ being derivative of the way slaves were brought to the New World, even though the history of the fad clearly shows other origins. This is what I call “playing the race card” when everything is stretched to turn it into an insult to black folk, and it only dilutes the issue when there is a legitimate insult.
While I am at it, I have two other tangential points. Firstly, I too celebrated on Till’s Hill in 1998, while praying that the UBP predictions of lack of business acumen and general incompetence (just cos they were black, was implied)would not prove to be true. For a few years, I was able to cautiously exhale, but then the dreaded Doc “had to lie to us” and was allowed to Pied Piper us to financial ruin. I HATE it that this administration and the last (if they can really be differentiated) have made those predictions about black incompetence and veniality look as if they are true.
Secondly, our self hatred and internalized racism far exceeds anything ‘white’ people can do or say. Case in point – a friend was discussing a well-known black environmentalist who has inspired many white people to espouse the cause of sustainable development in Bermuda. The friend commented that the environmentalist was untrustworthy because he is “too influenced by white people.” Now, I know for a fact that the environmentalist has a Masters degree in environmental studies from a superior US university and he has been active in environmental endeavors since the early 70′s but it couldn’t possibly be that he is influencing all those white folk. No, he is a black man and Bermudian to boot, so it has to be that they are influencing him. Sad, so sad.
Kool aid drinkers does not refer to black people it refers to hard core plp supporters who would justify plp mps doing anything including disregarding the constitution.
LOL this would incluse John Smith and Zane last I checked they are white.
LOL: You need to research the history of the phrase, not the definition.
Free Thinker, perhaps it is you that should do your research. That phrase was LITERALLY invented after the Jonestown massacre. How can that be racist? Clutching at straws mate. I mean, even urbandictionary doesn’t make any racial connections. In fact, the race that drinks the most kool-aid are hispanics with more than 20 percent share (try a google search before you make silly, easily bunked remarks…).
No one has condoned this overspend. There were overspends on Westgate, on the Airport, and on numerous government projects under the UBP. But why when there is an overspend on a project under the PLP government, it is automatically thought to be some criminality and corruption.
The media is not reporting accurately, that the actual overspend in this project was approx $1M dollars. The original estimate of 5.3M was for an entirely different project. Once the project was redesigned to include the Rockaway and Southside satellite testing centers plus further redesign for the Hamilton facility, tbe budgeted about was 12M. Once construction began they realized this amount would need to be increased to 14M, and it ended at 15M. A 1M overspend is not unreasonable if we are being honest and practical, however any overspend causes extra costs to be incurred by the taxpayer.
Are you saying the Auditor General, who says the project was originally planned at $5.3m and ended up at $15.23m, is also ‘not reporting this accurately’?
Ypou say that going from $5.3m to $15.23m is an overspend of “approx $1m dollars”….? Really. You may need a more accurate calculator.
The point here is that the Finance Minister is admitting that financial control of projects over the past 7 years or so were inadequate. The problem is that she was the Finance Minister during that time.
Obviously you cannot read, or maybe cannot comprehend…
Once again…
I said that the overspend is actually the difference between the final budgeted amount of $14M and the final cost of $15M.
The 5M initial estimate was in 2003 and based on an entirely different project. The scope of project totally changed and the budget was revised to 12M prior to breaking ground, and then was revised to 14M once ground was broken and the realised there were some additional costs incurred (which usually happens in construction).
So you are actually saying the Auditor General has it wrong, and is, as you put it, ‘not reporting this accurately’. The Auditor General is mixed up about this, that’s what you’re saying, right? That she is mixing up two different projects?
Why is it then that the Premier sees it fit to apologise for this and say it will never happen again?
I stand to be corrected and apolgize if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Correia Construction the Builder on the TCD Emissions project? And is Correia also the majority owner of the company that has the contract to manage the TCD Emissions Testing Centres?
Oh, how about this for answer…it happened bacause the pinheads in government swore an oath of allegience to Dr. Brown not Bermuda.
Amen, How true How true – “The pinheads” LOL
Itrs funny how everyone is quick to comment when something negative is said about Paula and he PLP as a whole, but when something positive is said no one seems to wanna comment. Take for example when the Governor said how he is basically backing Paula, not one negative person could say anything at all. But as soon as the incompetent Gibbons speaks, you all jump on the idiot band wagon.
Well, let’s disect this poorly worded opinion. First, the Gov. is supporting Cog, as is Gibbons, myself and many others. The problem is, that Cog waited too long. THe overspends happened on her watch as Finance Minister and therefore, she failed in her duty. Failed.
YOu may not like Gibbons or his politics. And that’s your perogative. But he is neither stupid nor is he incompetant. He understands Bermuda comes first, not the PLP.
“incompetent Gibbons”
This man has his own bank, have you ever herd him talk on education? Please show your competence I’m sure you don’t own your own bank…………….
LOL ps personally I do not like Gibbons something about him being too rich to be able to relate but on education the man has some good ideas.
@LOL,,
CAP G Bank is a James Gibbons creation – Grant plays a very , very small role in this operation.. Fact!!!
Point taken. Still it does not negate the fact that he is more succesfull than I or pointing fingers.
LOL
His father / uncle and others have made far greater contributions to the Gibbons treasure trove. Grant is an intellectual and is fortunate to be a Gibbons..
James did not “create” Cap G, and he would be the first to say so. Cap G started out as the deposit company for Gibbons Company employees many years ago, and the entire family–along with many talented employees–have had a hand in building Cap G into the success it is today. James is the current head of Cap G, just as Grant is the current head of Colonial Insurance and David is the current head of the retail operations, like Gibbons Company.
Take a look at Grant’s bio sometime, and see if you still think he’s “fortunate” to be a Gibbons. Seems to me he’s more than capable of making his own way and holding his own. And LOL is right…what he’s saying about education makes a lot of sense.
Grant Gibbons has more brains than all of the P,L,P, put together !!! I admire Grant.
Why is Mr. Gibbons incompetent?
What is the Governor supposed to say? Continue on with the corruption & incompetence?
Can’t beat those Facts with a stick…….Bermuda Public is right on this one…….??????Bermy Public is vigilant…..on everybody……Proud to be a Bermudian.!We will not repeat the mistakes of the past…U.B.P.past or P.L.P.past.The People are not taking it.!As we say at cup match……if you come wrong…..you’re going long.!
Dr Gibbons need only set up an appointment with ‘Vote for me’ who has such clarity of thought and knowledge of all this government’s activities.
Everything would then be explained to him and he wouldn’t have to ask these questions or make such statements any more !
Simple , huh ? LOL
The question/comment has been made many times in the recent times that begs a response from the Finance Minister as to why, when in perhaps the best position to stop the questionable spending of the former Premier, she did nothing. I don’t think the question will go away until she does respond. In fact, is there no way she cannot be forced to answer, given her fiduciary accountability to the country first… surely that accountability would supercede any obligation to her party.
At a time when EU countries are piling up debt and economically failing left and right due to corruption and mismanagement it’s commendable that the PLP has been able to keep it’s enviable credit and debt ratings.
@ sandgrownan – Politics.bm, limey in Bda, Catch a fire, BIAW, Bda Sux, wow – u may have never gotten anything right or changed any minds in ur posts over the years but u have been consistent lol
That is the only thing we have in common, well apart from me being right. But hey, shoot the messenger as you always do, rather than answer the allegations.
Oh, and lay off the doughnuts will you.
Certain minds will never be changed because they do not base their opinions on anything but emotion…it is the swing voter who gave the Government an opportunity in 1998 and it will be that same voter who will put them out in order to try to save Bermuda in 2011.
i wish I shared your optimism…
@ navin Johnson
Your post speaks volumes. Both of the political parties are indeed catering to the swing voters, which are statiscally proven to be middle class blacks. This is the reason for the increased cmmentary, tension and rhetoric as the next election approaces. Brace yourself – it will get worse. (Please do not accuse me of being racist or introducing the race card – either comment would be unfounded). My rationale…
Ask any pollster or political observer and they will confirm that both the PLP and UBP have a core of voters, but not enough to win an election. They will also confirm that most whites and portuguese have historically voted for UBP. I use the UBP as a surrogate since the OBA do not have a track record and it is likely that previous core supporters of UBP will vote OBA given that OBA is effectively the transformed UBP.
It is logical to therefore conclude that the swing voters are middle class blacks. Each party is fully aware of the need to appeal to this group to secure victory at the next election.
I believe it is also logical for the OBA to try and depict the PLP as incompetent financial and economic managers since the message (it is hoped) will resonate with the economic interests of middle class blacks. Whilst I accept the basis for the strategy, I think the OBA will have to at least be objective with their comments or thery will expose themselves to ridicule.
One example of this occurred on the Everest show this afternoon where several callers expressed their frustration at certain callers that call with completely absurd comments that bear no relation to the truth. I sometimes get the same feeling about some of the posts to Bernews and other sites.
The most vexatious comment is the reference to PLP supporters as drinking Kool Aid. We must be careful to be honest. Do not call me a kool aid drinker if I support the PLP but somehow enlightened if I decide to support OBA. Whilst now is not the time or place, such thoughts actually have a basis in making disparaging commnets about black voters since they are the swing voters as explained above. I also note how it is possible for all of us to knowingly or unknowingly offend other groups even though our intentions are good.
@ navin Johnson
Your post speaks volumes. Both of the political parties are indeed catering to the swing voters, which are statistically proven to be middle class blacks. This is the reason for the increased commentary, tension and rhetoric as the next election approaches. Brace yourself – it will get worse. (Please do not accuse me of being racist or introducing the race card – either comment would be unfounded). My rationale…
Ask any pollster or political observer and they will confirm that both the PLP and UBP have a core of voters, but not enough to win an election. They will also confirm that most whites and Portuguese have historically voted for UBP. I use the UBP as a surrogate since the OBA do not have a track record and it is likely that previous core supporters of UBP will vote OBA given that OBA is effectively the transformed UBP.
It is logical to therefore conclude that the swing voters are middle class blacks. Each party is fully aware of the need to appeal to this group to secure victory at the next election.
I believe it is also logical for the OBA to try and depict the PLP as incompetent financial and economic managers since the message (it is hoped) will resonate with the economic interests of middle class blacks. Whilst I accept the basis for the strategy, I think the OBA will have to at least be objective with their comments or they will expose themselves to ridicule.
One example of this occurred on the Everest show this afternoon where several callers expressed their frustration at certain callers that call with completely absurd comments that bear no relation to the truth. I sometimes get the same feeling about some of the posts to Bernews and other sites.
The most vexatious comment is the reference to PLP supporters as drinking Kool Aid. We must be careful to be honest. Do not call me a kool aid drinker if I support the PLP but somehow enlightened if I decide to support OBA. Whilst now is not the time or place, such thoughts actually have a basis in making disparaging comments about black voters since they are the swing voters as explained above. I also note how it is possible for all of us to knowingly or unknowingly offend other groups even though our intentions are good.
Please excuse any typos.
Well, any moderately intelligent person capable of only the minimal amount of critical thought would conclude that the PLP’s time in power has been nothing short of a disaster. Taking emotion and race out of hte discussion, they have failed. Ergo, if you still support the PLP, it’s “blind faith” or to put it another way, you are a “Kool Aid drinker”.
Sangrowoman is just one of those bitter UBP followers that can’t and wont accept defeat, so this is just her way of venting. She is quite aware that she wont be converting any of die-hard supporters, like herself, but try she will, because she is right and they are wrong.
Neither bitter nor UBP. Need to go to bathroom to check is “he or she” but last time I looked…
But hey, keep avoiding quesitons and keep attacking the messenger…
This may sound shallow, but humans are no different from animals! We seek, dominate and then destroy competition. It’s a natural instinct of any inhabitant of Earth. People are so shallow minded they never look outside of the box. Just because the government tells you one thing does not mean it is true. They tell you that the TCD project went from 5K to 15k no one in their right mind make an estimate that wrong. lets be real here we all know that government does what they like and we are just supposed to comply. It’s not rocket science people. As long as they produce a story that we will believe they don’t care how much they screw us over. Look at Mr.Brown I hope you all don’t think he got voted out. Open your minds use some common sense.
Good evening all,
I must admit that I find the comments very interesting today. To Sandgrownan – CONGRATS. Your cmments today seem to be more thoughtful than yesterday. I also wonder how some of you can find the time each day to consistently provide posts – are you all retired or ‘posting on someone else’s dime’.
And now for TCD. Based on published reports, the TCD project was technically over budget by $1m ($14m vs $15m). The rationale is that the project was initially for one $5.3m building at North Street (TCD). It then developed into 3 separate $14m buildings (central, east and west), thereby increasing in total costs. We also need to clarify, again based on published reports – we know how much money was spent on TCD. The questions are did we get value for money and was the correct process used to determine who should build and operate the facility
The normal government tendering process is for at least 3 tenders to be sought to ensure government gets value for money. Based on public reports, it appears that this process was either not done or done ineffectively. The rarionale is that the emissions facility required specialists knowledge and their was only one entity capable of completing it. On this point there are very clear differences of opinion. What is now required (in my opinion) is for someone to value what was built to decide if Bermuda obtained value for money.
To be clear, the process for deciding who should have built it should be above board, but it is possible that Bermuda did get value for money. The only way to prove the answer is to get an independant valuation by a quantity surveyor or other valuation professional.
All of the issues of tendering etc will be resolved by the investigations of the Public Accounts Committee, The Auditor General, the special investigation hinted at by Premier Cox or indeed the Police if there is any determination of criminal conduct.
As an overall comment, many are referring to the PLP as incompetent financial or economic managers. This is cleraly not an objective comment and based on emotion. I think everyone would agree that the ratings agencies (Standard and Poors, Fitch etc) and teh actal investors in Bemuda’s debt represent a more objective view about Bermuda’s financial standing. They have consitently rated Bermuda very highly (under both PLP and UBP) in the context of our various debt obligations. As added proof, many of our debt issues have been oversubscribed. Thus we need to be a little more honest about Bermuda’s overall financial standing and how both the PLP and UBP are(were) regarded.
For the purists amongst you, I accept that there is some institutional criticism of the ratings agencies since they must effectively justify their own existence but I do not think those concerns are relevant in the context of Bermuda (my OPINION of course!)
At the risk of throwing the comments wide open, one definition of corruption is – Wrongdoing on the part of an authority or powerful party through means that are illegitimate, immoral, or incompatible with ethical standards. Corruption often results from patronage and is associated with bribery. I add this comment because many are making allegations of corruption without any basis of fact.
In previous posts, I have indicated that (like it or not) the PLP has introduced significant improvements in governance since 1998 – the Ombudsman, a separate Internal Audit Dept, funded additional staffing for the Auditor General, made certain violations of financial instructions a criminal offence etc etc. Surely even the most ardent opponents of Premier Cox and the PLP can give some credit where credit is due!!
Your last paragraph is laughable. The PLP may have given the Auditor General more staff, but they had him arrested when he produced reports they didn’t like!
The Ombudsman is toothless and THIS Premier presided over financial disaster. Let me be clear, even if Ewart had PLP insiders on “The payroll” to buy their silence, Cog could have gone to the press, the Governor, whoever. She did nothing. She put PLP over country. If EB’s government was simply incompetent, she could have stopped the spending. She did nothing.
Your well written and, dare I say it, rational comment is interesting however, it doesn’t point the finger where it should be pointed.
Vote for Me,
You have made some very significant and well debated comments. I agree with most of your comments and could not have stated it any better. Keep writing, as few people make such insightful comments and contributions to the debate of the issues.
Governments worldwide are guilty of mis-management of capital projects; The PLP and UBP are also guilty. But does this make the PLP incompetent financial or economic managers? NO, as in this case so would the UPB/OBA. Capital projects is only one measurement of government overall performance. Government has succeeded in many other areas with great success. To measure a government in one particular area is unjustified.
A review of the UBP/OBA’s record will reflect miss-management of capital projects as well. However, it is apparent that when this government does anything it is perceived by some as acting in sinister evil way. But, as this is their political strategy to gain votes from black middle class, it may also backfire as well. The black squeeze middle class are also becoming more aware, as I am one of them. Let’s not try to paint a picture of government in a negative way to gain votes. This government cares about its people, and has made investments in its people. It one carefully examines Mr Richards recommends opens the floodgates, it does include anything for the Bermudians, but seeks to promote the interest of those that already financial establish or nonBermuidan.
Why was the UBP/OBA not investigated for overruns and mis-management of major capital projects? I am sure a careful evaluation would reveal much of the same. In the future Capital projects will require a different approach for overall management.
Lets be fair in our critiques !!
So because the UBP, over thirteen years ago, presided over cost overruns, you are prepared to give the PLP a free pass? There is a fundamental difference, the UBP didn’t run a billion dollars in debt we can ill afford.
Specialgirl
Mr. Richards is doing his job as the opposition and the committee he chairs has one other opposition member and 3 PLP members. The PLP, when they were in opposition, had the same right to investigate and chair the committee. Few people dispute that things happenned under the UBP with regard to capital projects but how long must we hear the UBP did it too? The concern that I have is that most of the PLP projects have been so blatently outrageous that everything they do will be questioned. In the case of TCD and the emission control if Correia was building the project and then going to be an owner why did The People of Bermuda have to buy it for him? Whether its TCD,The Cruise Terminal,Berkeley, Housing Corporation or any other abuse how much is enough before its time for a change?
With regard to Bermuda and the rating agencies everyone acknowledges the ratings that Bermuda has but how can they be better than the time when the country had no debt whatsoever and,not only full employment, but overfull employment. We now have a mountain of debt and declining revenues and high unemployment with no ray of sunshine on the horizon. Keep in mind that the same rating agencies gave Countrywide Financial high marks in the states the year before they collapsed and took the entire economy down with them. Bermuda should have been immune to the economic crisis as our economy thrives on IB and it was the actions of Brown and Burch who set the stage for the outflow of people and the slow and steady decline of the number of people here. Everyone feels it and the PLP should be held accountable for not being prepared for a rainy day and for blindly following Brown whether for fear of him or the fear of losing the very lucrative job of an MP with its pay and benefits that esclated dramatically while in power. We cannot afford 5 more years and I trust that people do not lose sight of that while all the campaign promises and actions are going on. Free transport,free tuition,free daycare,new hotels all were promised in Dec 2007….where are they now? Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me and I pray that we dont get fooled for the 4th time.
You know speacialgirl won’t answer your post all she is doing is promoting her party and shooting who she percieves as the parties enemy and or any that do not see the party the way she does.Basically calling those that don’t agree dumb and haters/ possible racist. Is a Senate seat opening up???????????
LOL
Why was the TCD operation even built? Was it needed? In Ontario, Canada, the government recently determined that only cars over 7 years of age needed to be tested.
The newer cars almost always passed the tests. It was a waste of money to the owners to have the cars tested.
On the island of Bermuda, how many cars are over 7 years old that must be tested? What is the cost per car for the testing?
If it was $5 or $15 million, why was it built?
Seldom do I turn the page back on articles, after time has passed. Please be aware that, I am not in any way uncomfortable to discuss or debate an issue, if it is a fair sharing of information. Please be clear, I am not against Mr. Richards doing his job as chairperson, however I may have concerns in the manner in which he undertook such an important responsibility.
As I do recognize the role of PAC, I am not naïve. My issue is with Mr. Richards using the position of information in which the findings are not solid to make a case that paints the government or individuals in a negative manner as well as using it to make political points. But, I am also aware that this is typical behaviours of most politicians. I do not need to be made aware that members of PLP also sit on that committee, and have fulfilled their roles on such a committee. I am not sure if the PLP members have acted in the same manner as Mr. Richards.
If one is reports such findings; I would hope that information shared with the public is solid and creditable. In other words, that is supports whatever allegations are being made. But as the chairperson of any committee there is a particular responsibility and accountability that comes with that, which is often why one is chosen as the chairperson. Has Mr. Richards fulfilled that responsibility in a correct manner, I beg to argue differently.
While there is a call for the PLP to be held accountable for overruns of capital projects I do not dismiss this either, but so should the UBP/OBA. Name change does not in any way disregard facts. UBP/OBA also mis-managed the people’s money, it is no different. But where they made out to be villians ? Accountability swings in both directions, it is not one way. Loss of memory also does not take place in one direction. The UBP/OBA had capital projects that skyrocket or doubled more than the original cost. As I mention this is common practice for most governments on management of capital projects. But, you cannot totally dismiss one party and present another party in a sinister deceitful manner.
Once again, to measure this governments performance based only on capital projects alone, is very unjustified. To promote the performance of this government based upon only capital projects is also unjustified. It we want to be honest, this also suggest that the UBP was a government that was also inconfident if your only measurement of performance is mis-management of capital projects. This government has performed successful in many other areas.
Please do not dismiss the ratings of this government by those well founded agencies such as Moody, Fitch & S, and P. These ratings by those distinguish agencies are good. This government has done well, that is why such ratings were granted to Bermuda. The rating to which you refer were rating granted to big companies and not country ratings which collapse and eventually impacted upon various countries. The assessment of a country and a large company are two different types of evaluations and ratings by Moody and Standard & Poor agencies. Every country in the world has been impacted by the global recession. Even countries in good financial standings without debt, are finding it difficult to deal with challenges due to the recession.
Our people are not blind followers, blacks in particular never have been. Blacks are more likely to reflect upon their voting pattern, and issues than whites. Blacks often make up the highest percent of swing voters in every election in Bermuda. Go back and review past election statistical data and you will see this is a fact. It also suggested that whites are more likely to be the blind followers and not change their votes, as they have always remained faithful to UBP/OBA no matter what. This too is their choice. PLP members always question their own, in fact they are often harder on their own people, rather than others. This is why the UBP/OBA will fight hard for the black vote to be successful at the polls. So this is why as an election strategy of the UBP/OBA is to continue to work hard to paint the party as being incapable and in competent to win the votes of the black squeeze middle class. The OBA/UBP knows without a doubt that votes from the black population is key, and mis-information and planting doubt is an approach towards their goal.
So what are the ideals that people are reaching for here. Ok so basically you boil it all down to the UBP did it too and so do politicians world wide so it’s ok for the PLP to do it too as far as capital projects are concerned. Honestly it not just capital projects it’s things from poorly thought out legislation to the type of spending that we see minister spending on trips, cars, ect. That’s the problem. Personally, it the continuation of race rhetoric that turns me off from them (something that’s been in the party since inception although to a degree I understand that as these are the reminisce of slavery and segregation). This has unfortunately done nothing but stagnate the party and trapped it in a “whats good for them must not be good for me mentality” which is why the UBP needed to be buried and now is also the reason why the PLP must evolve to something other than it’s present black supremacy role it’s is taking on either intentionally or unintentionally by its members who will never let the past be the past and move on and continue with the pride for banter that whites have also displayed on this and other threads. I do not mean that as a forget the past but more to realize that it is in the past. Please do by all means point to racism of individuals if it’s there but continuing to blame the whole race is polarizing at best and disingenuous at the worst. Maybe the market place murders need to happen again in order to appease the beast that is racism in this island sad to say but at some point this will come to a boiling point history supports this conclusion. Although blacks talk about white racism all the time I don’t think that in Bermuda you will have white on black violence stemming from racism however I can not say the same about blacks on whites so if that’s what it takes so be it. I really do not care who is running this country as long as they are responsible and responsive to the country as Bermudians. The PLP have done some good thing and I do not view them as evil in as much as I do not view the UBP as good, politicians look out for them selves mostly and part of that is appealing to just enough voters. It the ones how appeal to all that are remembered.
LOL when will the blaming and throwing past atrocities at each other stop and the real healing begin
If you go back and read with understanding most of the comments by OBA/UBP supporters, they often reflect that persons have concerns about how capital projects are managed. But when one party is continuously portrayed as if they have acted in sinister manner, this does present as a problem to many. A comparisons study and performance of the UBP/OBA has to be mention, to determine if this practice was frequent, or an on-going problem within Bermuda’s governmental system. Comparisons allow us to identify areas where both political parties performed at a similar rate of efficiency. At the same time, comparative analyses of both parties will often yield insights about areas where one management style excels in comparison with the other. It is not so much about if one party did it, well it is okay, but it is about making a fair comparison about parties based upon justified means. Is the argument made by one party of any real credit? Is it fair?
For the UBP/OBA to continue to promote the theory that the PLP have not done anything right is incorrect. While the PLP have made mistakes, it is very disingenuous to suggest the PLP have not been successful or incapable of doing anything right, is totally wrong. So persons will react, against such misguided comments. Persons will not step aside and accept such inaccurate comments. Persons will review such comments with careful reflections. PLP supporters think in a critical manner, with a review of details and they also bring historical perspectives to issues.
The PLP are not focus on race, but to pretend that it is not an issue is like trying to ignore there is no large elephant in the room. Racism is a part of Bermuda’s society and we have not reached a point where it has been addressed fairly. Blacks are people that always reach out, I believe more needs to be done by the white population to reach out. We are still living in Bermuda separate, but unequal/equal in most cases. But, often if you look at the level of living for some in Bermuda they would argue differently. Often many would argue that the opportunities afforded to various individuals differ based upon person’s race. Individual personal experiences will reflect issues as it related to race in differ forms.