Caricom mourns passing of fmr Barbadian PM Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford

…Sir Lloyd made sterling contribution to Barbados, Caribbean – PM Mottley

The Caribbean Community in a release to the media stated that it is deeply saddened at the passing of former Prime Minister of Barbados, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford. He was 86.

“Sir Lloyd’s life was defined by selfless service to his country, as a statesman for over three decades, and diplomat. He was an esteemed educator, and is credited with having pioneered significant national post-independence educational initiatives,” the release added.
Caricom further stated that his contributions as a Member of Caricom’s Conference of Heads of Government were characterised by passion and professionalism, and helped to advance the Community’s high aspirations for deeper integration set out in the Grande Anse Declaration and Work Programme for the Integration Movement.
“We give thanks for the life of this distinguished son of our Community and extend heartfelt condolences to his widow Lady Angelita Sandiford and other family members, the Government and people of Barbados, and all who mourn his loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
The former Prime Minister passed away on Monday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of Barbados from 1987 to 1994. In 2000, Sandiford was conferred with the highest honour in Barbados and was made a Knight of St Andrew (KA) of the Order of Barbados.
In tribute to the former Prime Minister, a period of National Mourning will be observed starting Monday, June 26, until June 28, 2023, and on the day of the State Funeral after consultation with the family.
In addition, all flags will be flown at half-mast until the interment.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mia Mottley in a message stated, “Sir Lloyd, who has been known affectionately across the length and breadth of Barbados as “Sandi” since the late 1960s, has had the distinction of maintaining a political career of more than three decades without a single instance in which bad behaviour or the use of the robust language and colourful metaphors so common to Caribbean politics has been attached to his name.”
She further stated that no review of Sir Lloyd’s sterling contribution to Barbados would be complete without tributes to his leadership of the Ministry of Education.
“His tenure as Minister of Education included the establishment of the Barbados Community College, an institution at which he not only subsequently taught, but which has changed the future of thousands of Barbadian young people for the better.”
“Sir Lloyd was also a genuine and dedicated regionalist and as Prime Minister, he took the decision to take Barbados deeper into the regional integration process by signing on to the Grand Anse Declaration, which eventually led to the establishment of the Single Market and Single Economy,” PM Motley added.