MINISTER OF SOCIAL CARE Steve Blackett has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the constituency councils despite what he sees as constant criticism from the Barbados Labour Party.
Speaking during the Budget debate, the Member of Parliament for St Michael Central said the councils continued to be the “whipping boy” for the Opposition.
“From the get-go they were pursuing these councils with vigour. These councils are stuck across their throats like a billfish bone.
“As Minister I am comfortable that the councils are doing what they were designed to do in terms of reaching constituents in their communities and also reigniting community participation and also the community spirit that was waning,” he said.
Blackett said the councils were as important to Barbados’ development as “any other institution established since Independence”.
“One of the flagship programmes of the councils is the David Thompson Constituency Council Tournament. I have no apologies to make for the staging of this tournament. First of all it is a tribute to our late Prime Minister who believed in the councils and it was his brainchild and we are going to honour that in this Government as long as we are the Government,” he said.
Blackett added that the tournament stimulated the economy between October and December through the employment of transportation providers, caterers, polo shirt suppliers, commentators, suppliers of tents, chairs and tables and videographers among others. (NB)
