A Time for Transformation and Action

It is now nearly two years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the beginning of the global financial crisis. For much of that time we have reacted as though we lived on a different planet. With few exceptions, Barbadians seemed to be unaware of the magnitude and depth of the global economic recession and its impact upon us. Some how the ship of state would right itself in the economic storms without having to shift ballast or batten down the hatches. All was well with Barbados and the CL Finance debacle would solve itself.

Nothing could be further from the truth and two years on with the world's financial markets in turmoil, sovereign debt crisis, threat of a double dip recession in the United States and mounting unemployment there is finally a mounting realization that the Barbadian economy is under serious threat. Recent comments by Mr. Peter Boos, editorial writers, businessmen and trade unionists have all underscored the reality of our parlous state of affairs.

Now is the time for strong and vigorous leadership, innovative solutions, improved productivity and a total involvement of the whole community to participate in strengthening our economy and shoring up our precious foreign reserves. Now is not the time for vacillation and wishful thinking but a call for all of us to sacrifice some of the frivolities of life, tighten our belts and put our shoulders to the plow.

It is certainly not business as usual and Mr. Boos long list of action points is a good place to start. It is not a time for panic but for a series of short, medium and long-term strategies to be articulated, sold to the wider community and implemented. Some of these will not be new but something that we should have done long ago but found it not politically expedient or urgent enough to address.

A case in point is a new focus on food production, processing and distribution with a concomitant drive to ruthlessly stop farm product and supplies theft. Where there are loopholes in the law they must be closed and a community based program of information coupled with a special praedial larceny response task force. The resultant boost in food production will assist us in reducing the enormous food import bill. This is not rocket science and requires nothing more than a little starch in or collective spine.

While it important to maintain social cohesion and to maintain a safety net for the most disadvantages in society, there have been far too many able Barbadians who have basked in the ethos of victimhood and dependency.

The message must now be clearly sent that there is no room for passengers on the ship of state as it is now a working vessel, sailing through the stormy waters of a global economic crisis and crewed by productive working men and women of our country. We are charting a course to come through the storm tossed waters to survive and to participate in the transformation of our economy and society, creating new wealth and prosperity for all.