Barbados PM Mia Mottley Vows Action on Crime, Healthcare, & Fisheries at Party Meeting

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has vowed her government’s unwavering commitment to tackling crime, overhauling the healthcare system, and reviving the ailing fisheries industry.

The PM’s pledge came at a Barbados Labour Party meeting at the St Christopher School in Christ Church South where Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight received the constituency branch’s nod to stand for Parliament in the next general election.

In a wide-ranging speech, Mottley sought to underline her administration’s commitment to addressing the island’s most pressing issues and delivering tangible improvements in the lives of Barbadians.

She called for accountability, resilience, and collective responsibility from all Barbadians, stressing that complacency had no place as the nation grapples with these critical challenges.

Crime, particularly the surge in gun violence and its impact on the youth, was at the forefront of Mottley’s address. She emphasised that the fight against crime requires the active involvement of the entire community, not just the government and law enforcement.

“I am going to remind the country as long as I hold public office and even after I leave public office that you cannot, you cannot step back and be a spectator to the disintegration of what is happening with our young people and what is happening with the criminal situation in this country,” she declared, reinforcing her message that crime is a societal issue demanding vigilance and proactive engagement.

While acknowledging that law enforcement is receiving the resources it needs, Mottley stressed the pivotal role of the public in this battle. “Guns don’t walk, guns don’t talk, and if you, therefore, understand that, then it is up to each of us to recognise that that is not to be encouraged or tolerated in our culture,” she asserted, underscoring the importance of community responsibility in curbing gun violence.

The prime minister also appealed to parents and guardians to be vigilant, warning them to monitor their children’s activities and influences. “When a child comes home with things that you know you ain’t getting money to buy, how they get it? You will be lucky if it is a gift, and if it is a gift, then you will be unlucky in the long run,” Mottley said, highlighting the crucial role of parental oversight in preventing youth involvement in criminal activities.

She also called for the restoration of social values and community cohesion, urging religious institutions, schools, businesses, and other organisations to play their part in building a safer society. “If you can help us do that, then I believe Barbados can have a winning chance of making sure that we do not follow the road that other countries have followed,” Mottley said, reaffirming her government’s determination to combat crime.

Turning to healthcare, Mottley outlined a detailed plan to transform the nation’s healthcare system, acknowledging the existing deficiencies in service delivery and patient care. “We are introducing patient safety officers, and we are introducing a new service improvement manager because we’re not fooling anybody. We know that there must be improvement in service delivery at the hospital,” she stated.

She announced the creation of 142 new registered nurse positions over the next two years, alongside plans to recruit nurses from Ghana, as part of a strategy to address the chronic shortage of healthcare professionals. “We know that we are short on nurses,” Mottley conceded while giving an assurance that her administration is taking decisive steps to remedy the situation.

A $130 million bond is also set to fund the recapitalisation of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s equipment and infrastructure, with the aim of reducing waiting times and improving care, particularly in the Accident & Emergency department. “I give you the assurance that this government will make every day count to be able to transform our health system,” she promised.

Mottley also discussed the government’s commitment to rebuilding the fisheries sector, which has been severely affected by recent storms, particularly Hurricane Beryl. Noting that “probably 90% of the industry got affected with the repairs and with the new boats,” she reassured the public that her administration is actively working to restore the sector.

The prime minister revealed plans to provide financial assistance to fishermen, including a 25 per cent grant for repairs and new purchases, as well as long-term loan options to ease repayments. Additionally, the government will establish a special purpose vehicle to purchase boats and lease them to fishermen, with lease-to-own options available. “We are going to stand in the breach to be able to build back the fishing industry,” Mottley declared.

While acknowledging that the recovery process will be long-term, Mottley pledged her administration’s continued support for the industry and the communities that rely on it. “It’s not going to be finished overnight, but we are going to stay focused and work with them because they deserve better as Bajans,” she said.