The following is a statement from the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association on PM Mottley’s tour of the South Coast.
The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) is heartened by the urgent attention being given to the challenges with the South Coast Sewerage Plant by Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Mottley, QC, MP, just days after taking up office.
The Prime Minister, other Government Ministers, representatives from the Barbados Water Authority, Coastal Zone Management Unit, Environmental Protection Department and the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers and other officials toured the plant and its environs yesterday to assess the situation.
Afterward, chairman of the Association, Roseanne Myers said: “We want to thank PM Mottley for this early intervention on this issue. Over the past months we at the BHTA have been calling for this matter to engage those at the highest level, and for all necessary resources to be made available immediately for a solution. So we are very optimistic with the reports from the tour.
“This issue has been affecting many of our members for over 18 months now, with some losing business and others having to close their doors completely. During that time we have been in constant communication with the Barbados Water Authority and other agencies involved, lending our support and assistance wherever possible and keeping our members updated. We intend to continue to do the same as this new Government seeks to find a speedy resolution.”
During her remarks to the media, PM Mottley called the situation a national emergency and explained that the officials attending will prepare a Cabinet paper to provide options to ensure sewage is kept off the streets, repair the lines and look towards long-term solutions to ensure that the situation never happens again. (PR)