Drug lords raising communities, in political process, says Atherley

OPPOSITION Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley yesterday charged that the reach of the drug lord has extended not only into communities but also into the political arena.

He was speaking in the Lower Chamber yesterday on the Award Pride of Barbados Bill 2019 where he stressed the need to also recognise those on whose backs the country was built but remain unnoticed and unheralded. This group he says includes shopkeepers, whom he said helped to raise communities in the past. He suggested however that they have now been replaced.

“I want to say this without apology... the shopkeeper of former times who helped to raise families and households and village in this country have been largely succeeded by the drug lords and the criminal element of that ilk, who exercise enormous influence now in the midst of our harsh economic times particularly so at the district and community level. And they are raising districts and they are raising families, Mr. Speaker and it is a sad thing that we have come to that point.”

The leader of the People’s Party for Democracy and Development said “without fear” that some of these persons are involved with the political process.

“Since 2008 that has been clear to me, that there are people involved in the practice of politics at the elective level in Barbados who are attaching themselves to persons involved in illegal drugs activity in Barbados to help their cause. I dare anybody in here to stand up and say that is not true. You may say you do not know. But you can’t say it is not true. Because Mr. Speaker I know it is true.

“And I think it is a sad day in Barbados ...and I have been saying this for years. I’ve been saying this since about 2009-2008. Because from my experience, from what I observed, from what I came to know, that is when it started... it probably started before that. But it does obtain. It is something that strikes at the heart of our democracy.”

Furthermore, “It is something that strikes at the institutional heart of our governance process. It is something that strikes at the heart of wholesome community life in Barbados. It is one of the most sinister perils that we face today. I really would like to hope that the government would have the resources, the wherewithal and the tenacity to ensure that something like that is brought to a swift halt.”

Bishop Atherley shared his views on religious leaders who claim to serve for the love of God, and their fellow men but are really in it for the money.

“And that I would have to say if you are going to admit one thing you have to admit the other. There is too much of a seeming growing instance of persons who wear the cloth so to speak, who and behind the sacred pulpit, desk, podium to pronounce to the world and to proclaim the good news to the poor, who themselves are seeking to profit because they are serving for money. And market considerations are driving the initiatives that they spearhead. I say that too without apology.

“I say that in a context in which I want to strike a contrast because I believe this Bill is intended to award and reward those who serve for love of country. Love for fellow man. And not who serve for filthy lucre,” he said. (JH)