Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has added his voice to regional leaders who have paid tribute to former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, who died early on Monday.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said “Having seen him (Mr. Arthur) at work in Guyana recently, this Caribbean statesman gave us no hint of an imminent demise because we had become so accustomed to his resilience, grit and wisdom.”

OPM extended deepest sympathies to the family and colleagues of the former Barbados leader, as well as all the people of Barbados.

“But we all should be comforted that this Caribbean giant came from us and for decades, made a lasting contribution to our progress and for that we will continue to remember him in the annals of our history,” the statement said. 

Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar also paid tribute to Mr. Arthur following news of his passing, saying ‘the fact that he was the longest-serving Prime Minister of Barbados, serving from 1994-2008, is a testimony to his dynamic vision and progress-driven approach which significantly improved the lives of the people of Barbados.”