Government is reassuring those who received National Humanitarian Awards earlier this year that the remainder of the payments will be made within the next few days.
Deputy permanent secretary for Cabinet Office, Selma Greene, said the process was ongoing. She addressed the issue during a media conference on Wednesday morning at Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown to announce this year’s second Humanitarian Awards ceremony.
“We crave the patience and understanding of Barbadians because as you can appreciate, there are thousands of persons who are to be paid. Funds have been set aside, they are committed. Those payments will be made, and during the process of the next couple of weeks, we will ensure that those payments are honoured, so those persons don’t have to worry,” Greene said.
She added that payments had already been made to some people in the private and public sectors. However, Greene declined to state what amount had been paid so far.
On National Heroes Day April 28, President of Barbados, the Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, presented over 6 000 Barbadians with awards for their contributions during the pandemic.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, during her address at the ceremony, promised people would receive additional monetary compensation of $500 as the government’s appreciation for their efforts.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, echoed Greene’s sentiments.
“The Prime Minister [Mia Amor Mottley] made a commitment on that day and the government will honour it for everyone,” she said.
She encouraged Barbadians to come out to the next Humanitarian Awards Ceremony on Sunday to support each other. They will be held at Kensington Oval, and start at 10 a.m. (RT)
