“Barbados has our unwavering support” – Pres Ali as country chooses Republican status

With Barbados officially becoming independent of the United Kingdom (UK), President Dr Irfaan Ali has joined in the outpouring of support and congratulations for the world’s newest republic.
Heir to the British throne, Prince Charles was in Barbados as Queen Elizabeth’s royal standard was lowered and the new Barbados declared after almost 400 years since the first English ships arrived on the island.
In official letters on Tuesday, President Ali expressed Guyana’s “unwavering support” for Barbados as it becomes a republic, conveying these best wishes to the first President of Barbados, Sandra Mason and Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
The day is especially auspicious, since Barbados is celebrating its 55th anniversary and its inaugural Republic Day. In official letters to both Mottley and Mason, Ali emphasised Guyana’s commitment and support to Barbados.
“As Barbados embarks upon its new status as a Republic, I assure you, President Mason and Prime Minister Mottley and the Government and people of Barbados, of Guyana’s continued and unwavering support,” the President said.
“We salute the Barbadian people on this momentous transition as you seek to further consolidate political independence and nationhood. It is a tribute to the conscience and courage of your forebears who yearned for freedom in all its plenitude and stood fast against the odds,” he added.

The Head of State also commended Prime Minister Mottley for “steering the successful advancement of Barbados’s Constitution and the completion of its national independence” and for the country’s “repatriation” of its Constitution and adoption of republican status.
Pointing to Guyana’s bilateral partnership with Barbados in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the President noted that Guyana was fully aware of the strong sense of patriotism and commitment to regionalism by the Government and people of Barbados.
He, therefore, defended Barbados against any suggestion that their newfound Republican status originated from any other source than the country’s rightful desire for sovereignty over its Constitution and Government.
“Guyana and Barbados are joined by ties of blood, history, and friendship. Our two countries now traverse the path of independence and integration as sister Republics. We look forward to working with you to further develop the warm and friendly ties, which so happily exist between us and to strengthening the fabric of our Caribbean community.”

President Ali also added that while the decision by the Government and people of Barbados unties the formal constitutional connection to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, it does not, in any way, diminish the high regard that the country retains for the Queen, whose role as the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations is “deeply appreciated”.
Guyana’s Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips is currently in Barbados with a number of regional leaders, including Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis.
Phillips and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips took part in Barbados’s official declaration of its Republican status and the inauguration ceremony for its first President, Sandra Mason. He also witnessed Barbados’s National Awards Ceremony, and met and interacted with Barbadian singer, actress and fashion designer Rihanna, who was named a national hero.
Since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government took office, Guyana has pursued closer ties with Barbados than ever before. Bilateral talks between President Ali and Prime Minister Mottley culminated in a visit from a Barbados trade delegation only last month.
The Barbados delegation paid a visit to Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and were so impressed with what they witnessed in the construction aggregate industry that they have publicly said they believe opportunities for trade lie right there.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill met the Barbados delegation, which was led by his Bajan counterpart, Dr William Duguid. During a meeting at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Dr Duguid spoke of his observations and areas of opportunity in Guyana.
“I’m very happy to be here in Linden, in Guyana to do a fact-finding mission and look for opportunities for us to not only be able to invest, but to strengthen our trade relations between Guyana and Barbados. We’ve done a lot of travelling around in various locations, sawmills,” Dr Duguid had said.
“And we’re going to also see what is available here from a quarrying point of view. Looking for sources here for sand, for granite, and crusher run for our road construction. And also looking for opportunities, when we get those commodities to Barbados, what we will then put on the barge or ship coming back then to Guyana.”
According to Dr Duguid, one commodity Barbados could trade with Guyana is cement since the Caribbean island has a cement plant. Other possibilities include bitumen, which is used in road construction, once they can get the right chemicals. (G3)