BARBADOS IS FACING the most challenging period that it has had to deal with in the last 40 years. Our national economic position is in chaos and this is causing our usually stable development planning to be on a constant downward slide.
Our normally balanced society is declining at every level, with water – which was once a utility from which we could always expect efficient service from once competent service providers – seemingly now a cause for worry.
Pensioners are living in constant fear that funds to which they contributed – to ensure that the stipend on which they will depend during their retirement years to meet basic needs – now appear to be under threat due to the suspicion that money is diverted to other areas.
Young people are facing the threat of their once secure educational base being challenged. University education now seems suddenly out of reach of the average youth seeking a reliable and secure source to ensure their progress.
Our road structure, our pride for over 50 years as visitors constantly commented on our road network, is now collapsing around us as we are forced to choose which pothole to drive through or which one will do less damage to our vehicles.
Our once stable banking system is being challenged in the most callous manner as small customers have ceased to be the most important factor for the banks’ survival. The conglomerates appear to be most important to them, with small depositors losing their interest at all levels.
The questions we now have to ask are: Are we truly independent after 50 years? Have we lost sight of the goals we all should strive for? Are we seeing more and more of our structure being lost to imported players on our once hallowed rock of opportunity?
I cannot help but worry about our tomorrow. I observe the rate at which our middle class is declining and the once vibrant political structure is being eroded. What must be done to stop this well planned and coordinated decline?
We must once again put Barbados and Barbadians first. This is not going to be easy and cannot be achieved unless we come together and stand up for what we believe in.
– DAVID “JOEY” HARPER
