Blackett backing Constituency Councils
Constituency Councils are here to stay.
However, that will only happen if the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) retains office.
This is according to Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steven Blackett, as he indicated that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has already outlined plans in their leaked manifesto to abolish the Councils, which are intended to bring Government closer to the people and in so doing meet the needs of residents of Barbados more effectively and efficiently.
“I know because I read in the same manifesto that they are going to abolish the Constituency Councils and introduce some kind of “party” which you must be voted in,” he disclosed.
“This Democratic Labour Party government, on retaining office after the next general election, will continue with the Constituency Councils because I believe that it is one of the best apparatus that we have introduced to bring about community activities, and they have ignited the community spirit in every single village, every single cranny in this Barbados.”
Blackett, the DLP candidate for St Michael Central, was at the time addressing the official opening of the St George North constituency office at Salters on Saturday night.
Moreover, he queried why Opposition Leader Mia Mottley has remained mum about the smoke and odour coming from the quarry at Lower Estate, St George, but constantly criticises the South Coast.
“This constituency borders St Michael North East. There has been a persistent annoyance to the residents and not a single word has fallen from the mouth of the leader of the Opposition about the plight of her constituents and the constituents of Gline Clarke,” he pointed out.
“But, she can find herself all up on the South Coast criticising what is happening with the sewage plant. But cannot open her mouth and criticise what is happening in that quarry that is affecting residents in the catchment area.”
“She is criticising what is happening on the South Coast as if this is the first time in the history of Barbados that such an annoyance has visited the people of this country. They forget about “Mount Stinkeroo” in Arch Hall and the people endured that stench for years under the Barbados Labour Party. Also, don’t forget about the Bridgetown Sewage Project in Emmerton for years, [it] used to be a constant annoyance to the people of the City, under the Barbados Labour Party.”
Optimistic that the issue on the South Coast will soon be resolved, Blackett is assuring Barbadians that “the people of the Barbados Water Authority are work assiduously on bringing an end to the annoyance and the workers must be commended”. (TL)