TRANSFORMING BLOCKS

Plans remain on track to transform blocks in this country into self-sufficient centres, providing gainful employment for the youth who hang out in these areas.

That’s the word from Minister of Youth and Community Empowerment, Adrian Forde. He made the comments while delivering the featured address at the opening ceremony of the Barbados Workers’ Union’s Youth Congress at Solidarity House yesterday morning, as he said he is on a mission to create economic opportunities for Barbadians and in particular the nation’s youth.

With that in mind, he said that the youth who have “expressed feelings of despair and have resorted to the blocks for solace and empathy”, will not be left out by his ministry, which is in the process of putting systems in place to transform some of those areas into viable and sustainable business enterprises. He said that the initiative, dubbed the ‘Building Blocks Programme’, will be realised in a few months’ time.

“We are going to make the blocks in Barbados self-sufficient centres. We are now working on the constructs and in a matter of months, the blocks of Barbados will be returned to communities in a productive way. This is a guarantee,” Minister Forde assured those present.

His comments came as he said that their approach is based on the fact that employment opportunities are limited. As such, he said their goal is to empower persons by giving them a start at their business of choice and the business that best suits their locale as well.

“Whether they be fruit and vegetable vending, sports bars, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, car valets and technology gadget repair and development centres; my ministry will give these active support to create a sense of worth among the beneficiaries and their families,” he added.

Minister Forde added that while Government’s approach for social intervention looks primarily at vulnerable populations, they are not oblivious to the need to also ensure that high achievers are not faced with barriers that can undermine their development. To that end, he said such persons will also receive the attention of his Ministry, as their work is built on the “operational tenet” that no one must be left behind or devoid of support irrespective of their circumstances. With that in mind, he said where his ministry does not have the resources or the capacity to address the concerns of the youth, they will advocate for mechanisms to be put in place to help us achieve their goals.

“In light of this, strategic partnerships will be formed with national, regional and international entities and let me also say the other ministries, to identify or create synergies, utilise strengths and enter into collaborative relationships to help you create the future you want. We also recognise, and sincerely hope that the future you want is the same future that the entire Barbados wants for all its citizens now and for generations to come,” he added. (JRT)