Put country first

Prime Minister of Barbados and President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, is adamant that the doom and gloom picture some may seek to paint of Barbados is just not true.

 

In an address to party supporters at the George Street headquarters yesterday morning, he told all those in earshot that the country is not operating in a vacuum and has had to adjust to and endure several challenges since 2008 as other countries have done, but those challenges have not stopped Barbados from being among the best in the world.

 

“Present challenges should not blind us, however, to the fact that between 1966 and 2016, Barbadians have enjoyed one of the most accessible and affordable health-care systems in the Western Hemisphere; they should not blind us to the fact that we have enjoyed one of the best education systems in this hemisphere; they should not blind us to the fact either that we have one of the best social security systems in this hemisphere; and certainly they should not blind us to the fact that we have been able to benefit from the exertions of one of the most efficient and well-trained public services in this hemisphere,” he said.

 

With that in mind, he outright dismissed the views of those who would want to suggest that the bulk of the people in the country are suffering; that there are thousands of Barbadians walking around hungry; there is no water to drink; that Barbados is now the dirtiest place in the world; and that the country is withering away. He said while there must always be room for positive criticism, one must be wary of those whose criticism is for political or personal gain.

 

“I heard all of these claims made by speakers on the Opposition benches in the just concluded debate on the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals. That is not the Barbados that I experience from day to day as I move around. In any event, I would never have the courage to present that picture of my country to the world, but I understand the desperation that has befallen the Barbados Labour Party. I understand also its unfortunate degeneration into an organisation that now performs the role of a merchant of alarm, despondency and despair,” he stated.

 

The Prime Minister maintained that his Party does not deny that the country has passed through a “testing period”, but explained that it is not uncommon for there to be pockets of people, who, in spite of the “opulence and prosperity around them”, could not make ends meet. Referring to the prosperous period of 1992 to 2007, he said even at that time there were still people here in Barbados who could not make ends meet and there were more than 20 000 people on the waiting list of the National Housing Corporation.

 

These realities, he said, have been the driving force behind his “hardworking and committed” Cabinet, which he indicated has stuck to the task of working to turnaround the country’s economic fortunes. A frank Stuart noted that while they do not always agree on everything and some Cabinet members panic a little more quickly than others are inclined to do, they have stuck to the task and are seeing positive results. And he is giving all Barbadians the assurance that those positive signs will become more evident, as his Government implements the programme announced in last week’s Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals.

 

“The proposals are a challenge particularly to the private sector, through promised amendments to the Special Development Areas Act; a challenge to the small business sector through the $50 million being made available to the sector by way of a blend of grants and soft loans; a challenge to students to continue to work hard and aim high encouraged by the recapitalisation of the Student Revolving Loan Fund; a challenge to defaulting taxpayers through yet another amnesty given to them to regularise their tax status; and a challenge to those public officers whose employment status will be put on a footing more secure,” he said.

 

On that note, he described as constructive and valuable, the experience he has had in dealing with the Private Sector and the Labour Movement over the past six years, and pledged to continue active consultation with them in the national interest. (JRT)