The next generation of Barbadians deserves a country that is not “strangled by debt or choked by pollution”. The statement comes from the country’s Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

In an hour-long address to the nation on Thursday night, her second for the year, PM Mottley said managing debt has been a major priority for her 19-month-old government, which had inherited a debt percentage of 176%. Reflecting on that figure stooping to 114% by the end of 2019, PM Mottley said “It wasn’t easy. World records will define this as a very uncommon decline in debt to GDP ratios.”

The detailed seven-year plan to steer Barbados closer to becoming a model nation for the region focused on other areas that require urgent attention- including sanitation. “Do I need to ask you whether we had a crisis with garbage collection in this country? I think not. I think the newspaper painted the picture perfectly.” she quipped.

As such, she said, “We have already purchased- and received- nine (garbage) trucks from one supplier, ten that came in recently, and there are another ten that are  about to come in the next two to three months.” (See Photo)

Additionally, the government will partner with the Sustainable Barbados Recycling Centre (SBRC) to create a revenue stream through renewable energy.

Another ticklish issue for Barbados is its unreliable water supply. To remedy this, PM Mottley said the government will seek to amend the Constitution, for the establishment of a Water Stabilization Fund. “When the British government put down these mains more than 100 years ago, they had an empire to pay for it.  When we put them down, all we have is a country. But we shall do it little by little, over the next 20 years”, she said.

But of all the pointers raised by the Barbados leader, she said for any national goal to work it will require the commitment and participation of every citizen. (Story by Janine Browne)