Some Tough Decisions....You Never Know

While I wish to see a positive changed realized in my country, I know that there will be challenges and many bumps along the way. Everyone seems to have a solution but I still feel that with all the solutions, the mindset has to change first.

I watched "Speak You Mind" last night on BVI's JTV on Channel 55 and enjoyed the commentary from hosts Edmund Maduro and Courtney deCastro and the persons who called and sent text messages. A few major issues were discussed but one thing kept coming up. It was the 'mental slavery' of our people.

While we may want tax reform and more economic incentives for new businesses, the people have to first be ready for these changes. For a population that can boast a high number of persons with Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees, it is hard to believe that we are unable to unite for the same good cause.

I feel that the BVI has to come to this dilemma because we are afraid to make tough decisions that will help the people in the long run. An over-bloated public service which is still unable to fill key posts, a broken down infrastructure which the country has spent millions with the wrong people to rehabilitate, a flailing agricultural sector and an education system that has been under reform for so many years yet the drop-out rate is rising: these are just some of the issues.

Strong leaders make tough decisions:

• Festival will have to be scaled down to just one big event in Road Town. All villages/districts will be encouraged to participate.
• Sorry family members and friends, there will be no contracts for you unless your bid is the best and you are competent to do the work.
• Workers who are inefficient will have a chance to pull up their socks otherwise, pay cuts will be instituted and eventual early retirement or termination.
• Accountability will be first priority so if you waste it, you will pay for it or replace it.
• Technical personnel will have the final say on how infrastructural projects are to be handled.
• There will be no more arbitrary paving of ghuts or road paving. It must be properly researched and carried out - see previous bullet.
• Car owners will be billed for the removal of derelict vehicles. The Govt should not have to foot this bill. So if you have a new car, it won't get licenced until the old one is off the derelict list. If you have moved away, we will see your car for parts.
• Property owners will have land forfeited for non-payment of property taxes. For those who live on great-great uncle's land, we can send you to a pro-bono attorney to sort that out but the taxes must be paid.
• The one that sticks out to me the most is that if any person or business owes money to the Govt, then the Govt. should not be writing them any checks.

 The people are very reliant of the Govt for everything so it’s time to change the pace but only strong leaders will make these decisions.

I am for compassionate leadership but you can not be wasteful with the resources. At some point, better earlier than later, such decisions will become reality. There will need to be a balance. I know some will not agree with me but I do feel it’s time for some real action to get us back on track.

Let’s see.