IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF SAD and unfortunate that Barbados is earning a reputation of being a dirty country.
What is equally embarrassing is the fact that our people are being described as “nasty people”.
With dumping sites popping up all across this island in almost every parish, garbage being strewn all over, motorists littering at will from their vehicles and students keeping their school environment unsightly, it is no wonder that Minister of Education Ronald Jones recently scolded Barbadians for their littering and illegal dumping habits.
There is nothing to suggest that if we do not grapple with this social scourge now, that we will not be the sore losers for it.
Barbados can ill-afford being known as a society of litterbugs.
The reality is that with all arrows pointing to the tourism industry to pull the country out of the economic doldrums, this is a label that needs to be shaken now, lest it lingers and gain currency in international circles.
Just last week Central Bank governor Dr Delisle Worrell and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart spoke at separate events of the importance of the tourism industry, especially given the current juncture we are at as a country.
We all need to play a part in ensuring that our country, our homes and surroundings are kept clean.
Littering and illegal dumping have the capacity to adversely affect all our major sectors including health, tourism and the environment.
Unsanctioned dumping sites will create an environmental hazard that will then lead to widespread health issues.
It is time for us to take stock, recognising the real threat of the spread of mosquito- borne illnesses including dengue fever and Zika which is creating fear across the Americas.
We cannot afford to take chances these days health-wise. The wealth of our society depends on the health of our people.
Caution after caution have gone out from health officials to alert us to the necessary precautions against illnesses spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
While there is no cause for panic, there is a need for the public to take every precautionary measure recognising that we all have some responsibility in controlling the spread of these illnesses.
In this our 50th year of Independence, it is important that pride is restored in our country.
All eyes will be on Barbados as we celebrate our achievements over the years.
We have come too far to leave it to the ravages of rodents and unsightly districts, with mounting garbage piles and illegal dumping sites while we create a society f litter louts.
These dirty habits need to stop now. We need to clean up our act and remember the old adage that has stood the test of time: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
