PM: Cabinet committed to addressing challenges

 

Barbadians have been assured that the issue of solid waste disposal is high on the agenda of the Cabinet of Barbados.
 
Prime Minister the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, in an address to the Democratic Labour Party’s 61st Annual Conference on Sunday morning, a session that was open to the public and streamed live, indicated that not only is that issue occupying his Cabinet of Ministers’ attention, but so too is the issue of ensuring that the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) is properly resourced.
 
He maintained that guaranteeing that the SSA has the requisite resources to function is “a matter of the greatest urgency”, if the collection of our solid waste is to be done more efficiently. As such, Stuart reinforced his Government’s commitment to addressing the challenge, as he noted that a portion of the proceeds of the proposed National Social Responsibility Levy, which is expected to come into effect on September 1, will be allocated to addressing the “hot and very pressing problem” of waste disposal. 
 
“One of the four pillars on which the vision of the Government for Barbados rests is that of creating a Barbados that is environmentally sound. From this commitment there can be no retreat.  The alternatives would be too costly for all of us,” he stated.
 
Meanwhile, on the topic of public transport, the Prime Minister also indicated his Government’s commitment to ensuring that the challenges currently being faced in this sector are addressed, and that the Transport Board gets the support it requires, as it seeks to meet the needs of the public. His comments came as he suggested that Barbadians would be willing to put their cars down sometimes and utilise the public transport system, if the system is “sufficiently reliable, ordered and comprehensive” so that they can plan their schedules and movements around it”. 
 
He said while that “state of bliss” has eluded this country to date, he believes it is not too lofty a goal to attain, as other countries have been able to do so. In fact, PM Stuart indicated, Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley is working assiduously to achieve that goal, but he noted it will come at a cost. 
 
“Because of the relationship between the public transport system and the ability of large numbers of people across Barbados to get to work and to get there on time, this issue must continue to engage our attention.  The Transport Board needs more resources, a more efficient and economical source of spare parts, a highly motivated workforce and the continued commitment of its management to take it along the road to the realisation of the ideal to which I have drawn attention. The Government is committed to ensuring that the Board is facilitated in the pursuit of its objectives,” he added. (JRT)

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