"THE EVIL that men do lives after them . . ." in this context, Errol Barrow is not unlike Shakespeare's martyred Julius Caesar.

The abolition of Local Government in Barbados and the substitution of a plethora of specialised statutory boards was an evil done.

It effectively enlarged the scope of central government administration at the expense of broadening down of the freedom of the people in government of the people by the people. It diminished "self-government" and encouraged the apathy in which the people (now called "civil society" and "stakeholders") tend to do less and less for themselves expecting more and more to be done by others.

For 40 years since 1969, successive waves of the people's representatives voted into the House of Assembly, have promised but done nothing to reconstitute Local Government authority in Barbados as a freely elected body of interested persons.

Meanwhile, the cost of central government administration has trebled without commensurate efficiency. Local Government of appropriate size, together with the proper size and scope of compatible central government administration would cost less in tax revenue than the current crop of ministers alone, far less than the various statutory bodies now appointed altogether.

The BTI Inc. for example, is a virtual extension of a public establishment for carrying our special capital works. The accommodation of tourism by these projects does not require exclusive infrastructure. They are all essentially integrated in the satisfaction of domestic demand for retail trade, housing, transport and entertainment facilities.

The Barbados Tourism Authority itself could effectively and with significant economy adopt the function of comprehensive municipal administration for Bridgetown, Speightstown, Holetown, Six Cross Roads, Nessfield, Belleplaine, Welchman Hall, Gall Hill, Ellerton . . . under elected councils for these areas which would release the time and energy of a small Cabinet in central government to deal with the larger issues in more deliberate policy formulation of legislation for domestic and international affairs.

This devolution is necessary to realise the practical counsel of Jethro given to Moses – "every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge; so it shall be easier for thyself and they shall bear the burden with thee . . . then thou shall be able to endure and all the people shall also go to their place in peace." – Exodus 18:22, 23

If the late renowned Errol Barrow had not taken so much unto himself alone, he might have endured the stress even a while longer.

There is much to be said in favour of transferring the burden of municipal administration from central to local government authority managed by elected councils of property owners, residents and occupiers of the respective areas.

– LEONARD ST HILL