BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has appealed to Barbadians to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have gone before us and work together to create a prosperous future for the country.
She spoke at Kensington Oval on Saturday during the Independence Ceremonial Parade, which marked the country’s 58th year of Independence and third year as a Republic.
Noting that 2024 has been a challenging year, Mottley expressed confidence in the country’s ability to rise, emphasizing that Barbados was built on resilience from the challenges of slavery, colonialism, and modern adversities, including economic pressure, social struggles, and climate change.
It was against this background that she issued a call to action, referencing a quote from the late Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for the presidency in the United States of America and later elected to Congress. Chisholm was of Barbadian lineage.
“‘ We must see ourselves in an entirely new perspective and cannot sit in our homes, waiting for someone to reach out and do things for us…. That is why we must get up and prepare our way. That is why we will forever be friends of all and satellites of none, and we accept that smallness doesn’t give us the power to do everything, but smallness makes us nimble, and smallness makes us agile….
“Even as we fought off the ravages of the climate, drought, and flooding …, even as we came to grips with what guns can do in our community and incite panic and fear, equally good things have happened. Our country continues to command the confidence of credit rating agencies, international institutions, and investors. And you can stand assured that we will always create a space for Barbadians to ensure that they never become tenants in their land again but forever shall be owners of these fields and hills beyond recall,” Mottley said.
Additionally, she reiterated the Government’s commitment to rebuilding the fishing industry.
“We had the ravages of Hurricane Beryl devastate our fishing industry, and 90 percent of our fishing industry has been affected. We are working hard to ensure you can rebuild it and that the harbor will be repaired. And a new one, regrettably, will still have to be built because they’ve advised that the existing one will not withstand the new climate crisis,” the Prime Minister stated.
She also highlighted the country’s recent progress, including renewing social services and infrastructure, reinstating free tertiary education, and reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Looking forward to the coming year, she said 2025 “promises to be a boom year in terms of activity, energy, and construction across this country.” Against this background, Mottley revealed that the monument, which will be placed at the Newton Burial Ground in Christ Church in honor of our ancestors, will be unveiled in May.
She added that We Gatherin’ celebrations will resume next year after being paused due to the pandemic. The activities will commence in January in St. Lucy, move throughout every parish, and culminate in St. Michael.
Concluding her address, the Prime Minister uniquely appealed to the nation’s young people to foster a spirit of peace. “I ask our young people to remember this day because it is to you we must turn for the seeds of leadership to flourish…. and I ask you to join us, recognizing in the small things that you do at school, how you treat your classmates, how you respect yourself, how you dress, how you behave, how you fight the urge to want to lash out at people and to recognize that there is always a better way to talk things out so that, as we call for peace globally, let us have peace in every sphere.”
Democratic Leader in the United States Congress, Hakeem Jeffries, also delivered remarks at today’s proceedings. He praised the close relationship between Barbados and the United States and pledged their commitment to supporting Barbados’s economic growth and opportunities.
Jeffries said this was a testament to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between Barbados and the Export-Import Bank of the United States, which secured US$500 million in funding for work on renewable energy, cyber security, water, sanitation, and maritime infrastructure.
“It is hoped that this historic agreement will bring thousands of good paying jobs and tremendous economic development,” he said.
The US Congressman also praised Barbados’ efforts in the fight against climate change, stating: “Of course, we understand that in addition to increased economic cooperation, to secure a prosperous future for Barbados, we must address the existential threat of the climate crisis. Like many island nations in the Global South, Barbados is on the front line in confronting climate change and is led by Prime Minister Mottley. You are critical leaders in this fight. It is a fight we must confront with the fierce urgency of now.”
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