Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Is it true that all those purchasing land at Apes Hill – Phase II will have duty free privileges for all building materials, appliances, etc? Apparently only motor vehicles will attract duty. Do we need to be so generous in order to attract “foreign investment”?
Barbados Free Press 
The Pembertons, the COWs, the Bizzys, the Robin Pattersons, the Dereck Smiths, the Smurfitts, the Blandfords, the Fearlesss, the Sixts really do not need what we are giving up to them, they ought to consider themselves lucky to be allowed the opportunity to settle and live on our shores and operate businesses,we give up all taxes and duties to these white powerful business people but we the small people pay our duties on every iota that we use from the tiolet paper back to the milk we put into our tea.
Yet this gang can out fox Arthur into donating everything to be tax free.
How we have not had an uprising in this island based on these happenings is beyond me, the hard working ones get laboured with more high duties whereas the ones that can pay their share of duties managed to get their duties waived, how ufair does it get?? and how much more are we going to tolerate before we say enough is enough????
The invisible People
The ordinary hard working people of Barbados have carried a heavy load for centuries, they have toiled in the valleys and on the sun baked soil.
Their womenfolk have carried heavy loads on their heads and the men have felt the razor sharp rasp of the sugar cane, and through it all the uncomplaining have had no respite.
Those who now govern us, cozy up to the rich an infamous, promising all that can be seen for a price, the price being paid by “the invisible people”. Let us have a flyover, or another edifice to impress, it does not matter that the Hospital’s equipment is broken or medical supplies are not available, who cares about the ” invisible people.”
When they are caught with largess beyond what is considered reasonable, for their particular circumstances, they speak of race their lot being that of the poor black man. This is to evoke sympathy for their supposed plight, but they have overplayed that hand, and we are tired of it.
The statement:
…. ” and by our living to do credit to our nation”
..is lost on them, the riches they have acquired will do them no good in the end, for it has been at a price the ” invisible people” have had to pay, and it is a heavy price.
Yardbroom truer words were never spoken and let me add but not as eloquently as you these thoughts.
“Assuming” and I have no knowledge that there is any basis in fact to support that any or all on the list of names ALLEGEDLY being charged with or connected to corruption appearing in the BFP today by a Barbadian entity is true, but assuming that it is. And then add to this scenario that the Democratic Party of the USA only a few weeks ago is again attacking many of the Caribbean islands Off-Shore sectors suggesting that they are “Tax Havens”. And supporting their claim in suggesting that $100 BILLION US dollars passes through the region from US Industry and other sources. If this is true how can we sit naively back and say there is no money laundering or “tax evasion” going on? But even more importantly given the staggering estimate that $100 BILLION US DOLLARS is involved is this not a recipe for and encourages “CORRUPTION”? And especially when we are seeing very prominent names of the Barbados Society and Government appearing on a list who are ALLEGEDLY being accused of “CORRUPTION”? But even if the list proves to be a hoax the situation I have outlined is no more diminished as a recipe for the things most Bajans believe are being tightly controlled.
How many times have you seen the USA finger a money laundering operation in Barbados because of their investigation not any in Barbados? I think that speaks volumes and I do not blame the Barbados authorities because they simply do not have the expertise to catch these sophisticated groups. Even in large countries with modern technology, surveillance, undercover cops etc they are not keeping up with it so how can small under developed nations accomplish this onerous responsibility.
$100 BILLION US boggles the mind and think about this it was not long after the Off- shore sector got going in Barbados that it APPEARED to most that hundreds of people became millionaires that otherwise would never have attained that lofty financial goal.
Only a few months ago appearing in the Toronto Star was a story to show the naive on this matter how sophisticated money laundering can be. The RCMP had a very prominent Toronto lawyer infiltrated by one of their own and who was suspected of money laundering. The transcripts made public of the taped conversations between the undercover RCMP and Lawyer boggled the mind of how sinister money laundering is.
The case involved Union funds being laundered in a Caribbean destination. The lawyer when asked by the RCMP undercover cop are you sure you can get this deal done without being busted responded and said there is no politician or cop in Toronto that will or can finger me. I have them in my pocket.(notverbatim) And this is only one of many other revelations that came out at the trial. He was
found guilty but got little in the way of a sentence.
What people should be asking is this where are the little people of Barbados benefiting from the huge sums of money coming into Barbados. People do without water daily, the QEH is a bloody mess and only certain segments of the society needs are addressed.
What people should ask is this. How many of these wealthy people living in Barbados other than “property” taxes are paying any other tax. Yet many are worth millions and some billions. I am sure a few give to charity!
Look up Apes Hill Development on the CAIPO site and see what type of company, …… sorry, society you find.
What’s with these Societies with Restricted Liabilities?
Then try just Apes Hill!!
north star
You fail to realise that if these developers do not get these incentives that they will take their investments elsewhere. Why is it that we only have in Barbados, Fairmont hotels and Hilton as the only hotels that are linked to an international chain of hotels. The granting of these incentives are not done on a partisan basis. Can you recall the incentives that the DLP granted to Royal Westmoreland?
As to the taxes these people pay……….have a look a the occupants spend when they are on the island and when they are off. As far as i am aware many of the restaurants do well from persons who occupy them. Do the restaurants not charge them vat? Does the spend by these visitors not result in additional profits in Barbados for businesses who pay tax on these profits.
Anon the point here is that this gathering of people really do not need the tax and duty free breaks anyway because they are going to invest at all cost.
The real benefit comes to the investors as they still charge at the same rates as if they paid duty any how and most of this money ends up in accounts outside of Barbados never getting back to these shores, trust me I have a few friends in the hotel industry and this is the way they get their money into offshore bank accounts.
The Paradise project is being sold at a price of US $ 17 million what do you think that you could build for US $ 17 million ?
Tax breaks or no tax breaks Pemberton and Patterson would still go ahead with the project as they are seeing the monies flowing in mind you this project is being built using many peoples monies to finance it and little or no money coming from Pemberton nor Patterson these guys are two of the best con artist we have one our shores and they want to get work permits for over a 1000 chinese to work onsite and guess what the PM will grant the request may have do so already!!!
# 43 APES HILL LTD
APES HILL CLUB
APES HILL CLUB HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC.
APES HILL DEVELOPMENT SRL
APES HILL LIME WORKS
APES HILL MANAGEMENT INC.
APES HILL PROPERTIES INC.
LOT J5I APES HILL LIMITED
SIXTEEN APES HILL INC.
Here are the companies and socity with restricted liabilities which are registered in Barbados and have APES HILL in their names.
Looks like a few companies may be named after the lots those companies own.
What is the benefit of having a company own a house lot in Barbados?
Check project 82 in this report.
Click to access barbadosprojects2003.pdf
It deals with Apes Hill and says it is approved by GOB in 1998 Physical Development Plan.
Is there such a plan in existence?
My understanding is that the last Physical Development Plan which is a bona fide legal document was that of 1991!!
Has anyone got any current information as to the number of overseas people that work permits have been applied for with regards to this same Paradise developement?
My understanding is that it is in excess of a 1000 surely if this is the case the Gov’t will seriously have to address this issue and let the publi know what is their position with regards to allowing this many non skilled workers into Barbados.
Does any BFP reader have any idea what would be the cost per acre to acquire desirable land abutting
Apes Hill Golf and Country Club?
Adrian a very good question but you are wicked because you already know it will be out of sight of most in Barbados and the people behind the Apes Hill project not only know that but expected it to be that way. As a result their Development will be complimented by Mansions built on the land you ask about! That is my bet!
AL:
Would you post the full text of the email, which Brass Tacks cut short?
Regards
Straight Talk…
I have just sent FULL text of article Brass Tacks cut short to BFP..
It is quite nonsensical to suggest that potential investors in Apes Hill and Paradise would take their investments elsewhere. As far as the Apes Hill publicity goes, demand for lots exceeds supply, so why offer the additional incentive of duty-free anything? The probable answer is that some of the developers also own lots and wish to take advantage of duty-free concessions. The same thing happened at Port St Charles.Whoops, now there’s a coincidence. Even the yachts were duty- free.
Adrian Loveridge, I think that I know what you are getting at, but the land in question does not abutt or abound the Apes Hill development, though I am sure that the value has gone up.
Peltdownman
The Rooney’s got all kind of concessions for Royal Westmoreland.
I assume it was profitable.
Within 10 years, they had attracted another investor who bought it off them for US$100Million, no doubt because he felt he could continue where they left off and not only recoup his outlay, but turn a profit.
Heaven knows what concessions he attracted.
The water issues which from 1978 were directly spoken to in the Water Resources Study remain and get worse.
Everybody makes a killing, the sad thing is that it is at Barbados’ expense.
Apes Hill will be no different.
Peltdown Man..
Was I imagining?
Isn’t Gregg Farm abutting Apes Hill Golf and Country Club?
It is my understanding that a developement plan was created in 2003 where there was zoning of all the lands in island, low and behold when this plan is looked at nearly all of the lands that can be used for new developement have already been locked up by the ruling part polticians and their friends like Bannister, Shorey, Cox, Owing et al this is sad state of affairs when using the knowledge and your power that you can go about securing the lands of this country to sell off with the knowledge that to have any further developement these are the same lands that can be used.
This is an absolute disgrace and dishonesty and corruption at its height, a using of your power and position to better your means at the expense of others, they should be fired.
Adrian Loveridge
Was I imagining?
Isn’t Gregg Farm abutting Apes Hill Golf and Country Club?
__________________________________
Yes, but my understanding is that C.O.W. owns Gregg Farm, and that part of it is incorporated in the Apes Hill golf course. However, the previous owner sold off parts of the non-sugar areas before he died, one piece of which was sold to his son, which was later sold to another well-known person. These “non-sugar” lots are still deemed to be agricultural, but they do not abutt the golf course directly. They are some distance away.
John
The water issues which from 1978 were directly spoken to in the Water Resources Study remain and get worse.
__________________________________
I agree. We are heading for a water disaster with at least three more golf courses approved and even already marked out. I refer fellow bloggers to Google “water problems in Southern Spain” to find out how devastating golf courses can be on water supply. Surely, any planning permission for a golf course must stipulate that the developer must undertake to install desalination at his own expense, prior to approval.
Fred
May 31st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
It is my understanding that a developement plan was created in 2003 where there was zoning of all the lands in island
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There is only one problem these gentlemen may face.
The plan may not a legal document and may only be worth the paper on which it is printed.
The one in force is from 1991.
Would be interesting to see what our courts would say if the developers of Royal Westmoreland, Apes Hill etc. were prosecuted by we igrunt citizens for not observing the law of the land.
GOB would by definition be an accomplice.
Have there been any class action suits in Barbados?
Rushing the plan through parliament is going to be full of issues because the politicians in pulling themselves and the developers out of the fire would have to vote against the Graeme Hall National Park which has thousands of signatures in support as well as for Greenland which everybody knows is doomed.
Peltdown man
Next time you are near the Government Printery stop by and get the Barbados Social and Economic Report 2005.
Look at page A-28 at the TOTAL water consumption for the period 1985 to 2005P and you will see that we have been in trouble since the mid 1990’s.
We have reached a limit!!
John
The sort of thing that ticks me off? I was passing by Kensington Oval just this afternoon, and a guy was there with a gushing hose watering a lawn in front of the pavilion. This wasn’t even a sprinkler – it was a really gushing hose. A fireman would have been proud to use it. When will Kensington Oval be used again? Surely there’s enough time to wait for the rain to do the job? I don’t care if they have their own well, because it’s still water that belongs to all Barbadians, and we are in a very serious drought. What is it with us Bajans and water? We really do believe that the well is bottomless. The politicians don’t care either. A senior man at the Water Authority once told me that they are told flatly, “this is what we want to build, so find the water.” Crazy.
Any body found out if the rumor about Dale Miller stealing monies from BWA are correct?
Has the public been privy to has been happening in Apes Hill. I passed through there recently, and the damage that has been done to the environment, including that so called dam is unbelieveable. These people have cut an unbelieveable swath from one of the few natural forestation areas in the island. Who gave permission for this development? Imagine if I cut a single tree from my backyard I have T&C Planning all over me.