Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has praised the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) for its initiatives taken to “reduce the economic burden on taxpayers”.
Addressing the BDF’s 32nd anniversary parade on Monday, the Prime Minister disclosed that just over $168 000 had been collected for the rental of the Main Guard to date, while the Officers’ Mess in the Drill Hall was also receiving revenue from rentals for wedding receptions.
This revenue represents valuable income from rental of BDF facilities, which the Prime Minister said had been helping to offset Government’s cost of maintaining the historic buildings within the Garrison complex.
In addition, soldiers were credited for starting a small agricultural project of their own volition from which food crops were being channelled into the BDF’s rations supply system and also being used in the preparation of daily meals.
The Prime Minister said when this project was fully established, it could result in the BDF partially sustaining itself, thereby reducing its food bill and by extension, Barbados’ food import bill.
The BDF was also congratulated for its outstanding service to Barbados and the Caribbean, specifically for the Sports Programme which contributes to youth development, and for giving information technology training to hundreds of public service employees.
According to the Prime Minister, soldiers’ involvement in counter-drug operations carried out by the Barbados Coast Guard, the Barbados Regiment and other sections of the BDF in association with other security forces to prevent illegal trafficking and cultivation, had prevented in excess of $7 000 000 worth of marijuana and other illegal drugs getting into Barbadian communities so far this year.
Seventy serving and retired officers and soldiers were presented with General Service Medals, Clasps to the General Service Medal, Efficiency Decorations and Efficiency Medals in recognition of their outstanding work.
In her remarks to the parade, Acting Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Athelene Branch called on BDF members to maintain high standards.
