Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley addressing the nation last night.
A number of Barbadian artistes are featured in the song ‘This is Who We Are’, which debuted last night.
THE possible reopening of the island’s borders will be one of the
topics to be discussed when the wider Social Partnership meets on
Monday.
This was revealed during an address to the nation last night by Prime
Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she announced a number of planned actions
to be taken by Government in the near future, while commending
Barbadians for largely following the COVID-19 directives.
According to Prime Minister Mottley, “The reality is much is happening
around us, but we know oh so well in Barbados that both scenarios are
plagued with danger and a measure of risk. In many respects, we die if
we don’t and we also die if we do. But leadership is a lonely place
and leadership is about leading and my friends, I intend after the
widest possible consultations next week to lead decisively on this
matter. For what is at stake is not just lives and livelihoods, but
indeed also the Barbadian way that reflects consultation.
“That is how we have done it from day one. That is how we will do it,
but I assure you that after consultation, the Government reserves the
right to decide and to act.”
Additionally, Prime Minister Mottley said next week, initiatives to
spruce up Barbados will also be announced. “We started some and some
came to an end and we restarted them. If we want to welcome people
back here, whether it is family or friend or business associate or
visitor, you have heard me say over and over, we have
to welcome them to a pristine-looking island.
“We have to return the ‘wow’ factor to our beaches. We have to also
make sure that driving around Barbados will cause people to say ‘what
a beautiful countryside’, rather than wondering what all that garbage
is doing thrown all about or being littered by people.”
The Prime Minister said discussions have already started on what will
be the steps forward for the country. “We started already and we shall
continue meeting over the next few days but today (yesterday), I came
straight from Cabinet and go back there tomorrow (today) because we
have taken the advice and the recommendations from the Social
Partnership and from the Jobs and Investment Advisory Council and we
are pooling these together to begin to get an idea of the priorities
for the transformation that is critical for us to be able to come out
of this pandemic, stronger and fitter as I have told you from day
one.”
It was also stated that next week will be a busy week for Parliament.
“And in fact, probably the next few weeks because we have a number of
key measures to put in place including the BOSS (Barbados Optional
Savings Scheme) programme, including amendments to the Severance
Payments Act, and other regulations that we need to put in place.”
During her address, Prime Minister Mottley also debuted the song,
“This is Who We Are”, which she explained was commissioned by the
National Cultural Foundation and captures the essence of Barbadians
and can be shared with anyone in the world and uplift their spirits,
following the devastation wrought by COVID-19. The song featured a
number of the island’s artistes including Stedson “Red Plastic Bag”
Wiltshire, Sister Marshall, Trinity Clarke, Mikey, Bobo, Alison Hinds,
Paula Hinds, Blood, Gabby and Tamara Marshall, to name a few. (JH)