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| ??From left: Minister of Industry, Small Business and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, in discussion with RDC Chairman, Ulric Sealy and Director Randolph Outram, prior to the tour. (A. Miller/BGIS) |
Minister of Industry, Small Business and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, concluded his familiarisation tours yesterday, with a visit to the Rural Development Commission (RDC).
Mr Kellman, along with Permanent Secretary, Ruth Blackman and other officials from the Ministry, met with Director Randolph Outram, Chairman of the Board, Ulric Sealy and RDC Consultant, George Pilgrim, to discuss future plans for the Speightstown institution.
During the talks, he outlined the purpose of the RDC and noted that "rural is far more than roads and houses.
"It is the development of people in rural constituencies to allow them to empower themselves; even if it means that we empower them that they can, in turn, empower others. Our job [at RDC] is to create activities which will be beneficial to the Barbadian society," Mr. Kellman stated.
To further emphasise the importance of the RDC, the newly appointed Minister stated: "In everything there must be a foundation and Rural is the foundation. If we don’t start right we are going to end wrong, and this is why we must ensure that we drive development. If we have success in rural communities, then we can ensure a successful Barbados," he stressed.