Minister of Social Care and Constituency Empowerment, Christopher Sinckler,??presents a certificate of appreciation??to council member Graham Clarke at the orientation session.??
Government’s recently launched Constituency Councils will aim to build community-spiritedness and lighten the frustrations that residents now face in their communities.
This was reaffirmed last weekend by Minister of Social Care and Constituency Empowerment, Christopher Sinckler, while speaking at the orientation session at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre for members of the six newly-formed Constituency Councils.
"One of the reasons that we want to have Constituency Councils is so that we can find ways to work together to, if not eliminate, then alleviate frustrations of residents waiting an inordinately long time to get things done within their communities. It is for this reason that this new process of governance has to emerge," Mr. Sinckler said.
He told the councillors that they would be helping to empower communities, but cautioned that their job would not be easy.
"The resources will not be plentiful, but with the intention, the desire, the will and the commitment, we can … show people that there are ways to get things done to benefit them, without having enormous amounts of financial resources.?? If we pull together; if we are strategic and targeted; if we identify who it is we want to assist, then the task would become much easier," Minister Sinckler assured.
He also called on them, through their work on the Councils, to show the rest of the world that Barbados is a leader. "We are known for many things, but one thing we are known for is our democratic tradition and our strong institutions. They are unflinching and unfailing."
"Where others have questions or concerns about their judiciary, ours remain strong and unquestionable.?? While people have questions or concerns about their Parliaments, ours remain strong in the ability to enact legislation for the better and orderly management of Barbados. While others have questions or concerns, and crises of confidence in their civil services, one thing that we can say … there is none better in the Caribbean…," Minister Sinckler asserted.
Adding that this was a legacy left by the British, which we adjusted and adapted, he said: "We can now show the world that at the community level we can develop another sphere of governance that can be the richest and strongest type of participatory democracy this part of the world. Let us continue to be leaders, not followers …to develop a system in which people can finally have their say."