MP Rowe: Measures long overdue

The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Administration has come to “make wrong things right”, and not to dwell on the damage done.

This is according to Member of Parliament for St. Michael North West, Neil Rowe, as he stood in full support of the Mini-Budget delivered by Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley. According to him, the measures announced were long overdue.

“What was revealed was way better than the increase of taxes by the last administration. Being able to give and take so that ordinary Barbadians can live was the way to go,” he stressed.

“The Budget allowed Barbados to breathe for the first time in ten years. The future is bright for the people of this country and I can say that the five per cent increase for public servants is a good sign. Also, the fact that Barbadians no longer have to worry about the distasteful NSRL tax is a sign that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that was a tax that crippled a lot of small businesses in this country especially a few entrepreneurs within my constituency – a tax that caused the cost of living to increase.”

Rowe also admitted to the House that it was heart-breaking to see the number of non-contributory pensioners within St. Michael North West falling by the wayside; not having any form of income.

“The former representative for the constituency and Minister of Finance refused to help those poor people at that point in time. But, found it easier to give away duty-free concession and whatnot to current businesses at a time when the treasury needed money and in a time of need.”

The MP further expressed, “I have to say thank you again to our Prime Minister for giving hope to those non-contributory pensioners. Thank you for giving an increase so that these individuals will be able to put food on their table.” (TL)