PM Mottley: We must redouble our efforts

PRIME Minister Mia Amor Mottley acknowledged, while Barbados has passed its most recent International Monetary Fund review, the journey has been a difficult one and there is still more to be done.

Her brief comments came during a Christmas Party held at her residence at Ilaro Court on Monday night where she said that in spite of the long journey, Barbadians should take a pause and reflect on the meaning of Christmas as the first milestone, as the country prepares to enter 2020.

In fact, using Barbadian parlance, she noted that as Barbadians are known to “pick down” the house and put it back up at Christmas, similar actions must be taken with the economy.

She told those in attendance, “This has been a long 18 months. It has been difficult. It has been a long journey and we are by no means finished with the journey nor are we at the destination that we need to be at. But it isimportant to pause, to breathe and to say ‘thank you.’”

“We can only make that destination if each and every one of you are prepared to redouble your efforts and to know that we can reclaim the lost decade by what we do and how we do it.”

“We are grateful that we passed the review of the IMF test today, which will see the release of US$48 million, BDS$96 million in the next year or two to the country. But it isn’t only about that, because that is just par for the course and we have done it at great sacrifice by so many of us over the course of the last 18 months, but it is now to redouble our efforts to truly recognise that we have to make this country the best that it can be.”

The Prime Minister added that efforts must also be undertaken to ensure that the country is the cleanest it can be and that opportunities are made for future generations. “And we are not going to stop; we will not stop until we get there,” she stated.

“But this government is humble enough to know that we cannot do it on our own and that is why tonight I say thank you, not only to those present but to those within which the voice can be heard. Because believe you me, this is a long journey.

The Prime Minister told the specially invited guests that next year will be a special year. “Within less than two weeks we enter the third decade of the 21st century... As we do so – we have to do so with purpose, with conviction and with meaning, and I ask those of you to continue to stay the course with us because once we stay the course as I told you last year, as I told you this year, once we stay the course, I am confident that we will reach the destination and secure victory for our people,” she said. (JH)