Get up to scratch, says BCCI president

Eddy Abed, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), has made a call for regional governments to enforce their building codes or that all properties are insured.

This is coming against the backdrop of the recent hurricanes that have devastated the islands of Barbuda and Dominica with property loss in the range of 90 per cent.

In his opening remarks at the BCCI luncheon at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, he indicated, “In the recent hurricanes, building were no match for nature’s fury. It is incumbent on regional governments to ensure that the quality of structures meets a mandated building code. Equally if there is not an enforced building code, then there should be a national requirement that all properties are insured to mitigate the downside risk when major hurricanes strike.

“As of today in Barbados, we have been lucky to avoid any major hurricanes for over 60 years, but meteorologist tell us it will only be a matter of time, and with the level of destruction so austere, it is time for our governments to enforce the building code and or mandatory company insurance.”

The President added, “In a national disaster, our main foreign exchange earner tourism would most definitely be negatively affected if a hurricane strikes, but there are other influences now that can impact tourism as well such as crime… Some persons in Barbados are fearful of attending events where there are crowds.

“Crime is affecting the way of life of some of our citizens, it will only be a matter of time before our visitors are affected… What has taken us decades to build could be destroyed in months.”

Abed acknowledged that solutions are not simple or not one dimensional, and as such he suggested an introduction of a two-year mandatory youth service for school leavers not attending a tertiary institution where they can learn skills that can make them more employable.

He also indicated that it is the responsibility of parents, guardians and the state to provide direction and guidance. However he added, “Businesses have a role to play in growing the economy to ensure there are employment opportunities for the next generation of Barbadians.”

The President also observed that the last decade has seen the collapse of economies in the West, and noted that the economies in Barbados and the Caribbean have lagged, but he warned that we need to improve the ease of doing business, work ethic, and competitiveness, etc.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the Chamber, Abed expressed condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the recent hurricanes that have severely impacted our brothers and sisters in the region. (NB)