A noted Historian contends that the Mia Mottley Government’s decision to remove November 30 as Independence Day is “just one of other changes” that Barbadians may soon have to accept as the rule of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) continues under Mottley.This evening Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, announced that last week the Mottley Cabinet made the decision to repeal Independence Day to instead mark November 30 as Barbados National Day.But retired trade unionist Robert “Bobby” Morris warns that “it is certainly possible” that next on the chopping block might be January 21 which is celebrated annually as Errol Barrow Day, to recognise the “Father of Independence” and National Hero, the Right Excellent Errol Barrow. In 1996 an attempt was made to do just that by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur but it had to be abandoned after public outrage. However, according to Morris, this action may now become a possibility this time around given Government’s lates
Fire officers who are awaiting promotions have been told to hold tight, they are on their way.Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams today assured members of the Barbados Fire Service (BFS) that the Government was working toward ensuring that the long-awaited promotions are addressed in a transparent manner and in the shortest timeframe. He thanked them for their patience and understanding in this regard.“You have produced and performed at the highest level with limited resources. The service will be provided with additional support as you currently have 20 officers in training and another 24 should be joining them in another month or so. We as a government are working on ensuring that you have enough personnel to continue to effectively service the public of Barbados,” Abrahams said as he delivered remarks during the Barbados Fire Service’s medal ceremony at the Arch Hall Fire Station, Arch Hall, St Thomas on Friday.The minister said he was also pleased that t
The three female wards at the Government Industrial School (GIS) in Barrows, St Lucy will be transferred to the Dodds, St Philip location as early as next week.With 95 per cent of the construction work to retrofit the GIS at Dodds to make provisions for the girls completed, interim principal Catherine Jordan said the wards currently housed at Barrows, should be joining their five male counterparts from Monday October 3.“We are trying for Monday, but what we have to complete is to bring the equipment and supplies that are down there [at Barrows] that can be used here. So if there are some air-conditioned units that can be used here, instead of having to buy them, we will bring those.“The kitchen furniture that the girls sit on, we will bring that. So it depends on the next couple of days. We are planning for Monday. We are hoping it works out,” Jordan said.
Caricom member states have been challenged to hold frank discussions on managed migration to support each other’s developmental priorities. Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams threw out the challenge when he addressed a two-day workshop on “Migration and Migration Policy in the Caribbean” on Thursday at the Radisson Aquatica Resort. The minister said while Barbados was identified as the most densely populated country in the region, Suriname, Guyana, …
Legislation to allow more categories of people to attain Barbadian citizenship is to go before Parliament soon, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams disclosed on Thursday as he called for discussion on a regional migration policy.He said the new laws will also seek to streamline processes associated with immigration policies.“The new Immigration and Citizenship Acts, which are both advanced in preparation, will regularise the status of persons already in the island while expanding the net of persons who qualify for status and citizenship. These Acts will also address irregularities and perceived barriers which have been identified and seek to make the application process a lot simpler,” he announced.