MINISTER of Health John Boyce has commended the work being carried out by the debushing programme across the island.
Speaking in the Lower Chamber on a Land Resolution in Brighton Plantation Ltd. of 2.9 hectares, his comments came as he pointed to the need to provide an array of services, be it in the maintenance of roads, drainage and debushing.
He told Honourable Members in the Chamber, “I am very impressed so far with the impact it has been having. It is working and working well. And certainly, we have not won the battle because the programme is rooted in the health of our nation. In the correction of some of the wrongs in our environment and reduction in the presence of rodents and pests, especially mosquitoes.”
“So we have to be constantly aware and maintain that balance. I am very glad that the Ministry of Finance has been able to up until now, provide the resources for us to do this programme and we have tried as I have said, to make sure that not only the opportunities are spread around the island in terms of persons who work in these programmes, but the heads of the Environmental Unit at the polyclinics are responsible for prioritising the areas of work and this cannot be second-guessed... There is no political interference whatsoever in this project,” he assured.
Speaking directly to the resolution for the 2.9 hectares before the House, he said it should have the full support of Chamber. “...Still too many Barbadians are looking for housing solutions and need to be accommodated. So anything this Government and the Ministry of Housing can do will have my support.”
Highlighting successes of housing poor and those in need, he also noted that the challenges being faced by the Ministry of Housing are not new, and stressed the need to ensure that rental payments are being paid.
Minister Boyce also lauded the work carried out at the Grotto and Valerie in providing high-rise housing solutions, but pointed out that it is a very costly exercise. (JH)
