Drummers from Sankofa Productions beating a lively tune at the opening of the Pelican Cricket Island yesterday evening.

YOU shall not walk alone!

That was the assurance from the Deputy Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, yesterday as she spoke at the opening of the Pelican Cricket Island, off the Princess Alice Highway.

"Late last year, we met with the industrial sector and we understood there were significant issues in terms of the viability of many of the shops in this location, and that in spite of the best efforts over the years, something just was not gelling," she said.

The Minister of Economic Affairs and Development said although she could not promise that the launch would make it "all gel", her ministry would work with the stakeholders to ensure that it got to that point where Barbadians embraced Pelican Cricket Island as their own.

Coined as the "island of arts", Pelican Cricket Island will feature everything Bajan – from foods to arts and crafts.

There will also be live entertainment during this month, showcasing popular bands including Barry Chandler and Jabae, Masala, and more.

"Of course being less than one mile away from Kensington Oval, we felt that we had a moral obligation to be able to create a platform to [give] this village the opportunity to be able to benefit from the seven matches," she said.

However, she said their commitments went further.

One commitment was to sustain Pelican Village by working with the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation, as well as the private sector, to put in place other events such as a major national food festival in the near future and a national craft fair in November. (TM)