As the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) readies itself to celebrate the Month of the Disabled in March, Barbadians are being urged to support the various activities, scheduled by the Unit and its stakeholders, on behalf of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The encouragement, which comes from Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, was relayed today by Permanent Secretary, Jehu Wiltshire, on his behalf, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, Aquatic Gap, St. Michael.

“I invite all Barbadians to support the activities scheduled to be celebrated this month, as in so doing, you will show your support for the initiatives undertaken to address the challenges faced by PWDs. Let us all join in the process of making Barbados a better place for all to excel and let us give our disabled brothers and sisters every chance at becoming full and productive members of this country,” said Mr. Wiltshire.

He pointed out that the month seeks to raise awareness about the abilities and contributions of PWDs, promotes inclusion in society, and highlights the need to address barriers which PWDs may face. “It further challenges traditional stereotypes, whilst fostering an understanding and acceptance of their unique needs and experiences,” stressed the Permanent Secretary.

The theme, “One Community: United in Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”, encourages communities to actively include people with disabilities in all aspects of life and to actively ensure that PWDs are fully integrated and considered in all aspects of building a sustainable society. It takes into consideration the view that everyone should have equal access to opportunities, resources, and environmental protection, with no one being left behind.”

The month will begin with a multi-faith church service at the Derrick Smith School and Professional Centre, in Jackmans, St. Michael. Other activities will include fund-raising events and movie nights on the lawns of the National Disabilities Unit.

Throughout the period, organisations representing the disabled community will engage in a range of events and activities focusing on recreation, healthy living, fundraising, knowledge building and awareness raising. (PR/GIS)

Government is committed to reimagining land transaction processes to improve accessibility, fairness, and equity for all Barbadians.

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, stated this as he delivered remarks on Wednesday, at the second housing colloquium, at Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St. Michael, which had the theme “Transforming the Land Transaction Process Towards E-Conveyancing in the context of Barbados”.

Noting that the housing colloquium represented not just a significant step forward, but was also a platform for education, dialogue, and collaboration, Mr. Sutherland said it was a place for ideas to be exchanged, challenges identified, and where solutions would begin to take shape.  

The meeting was attended by bankers, real estate professionals, attorneys, representatives of financial institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders, who gathered to participate in the discussion on ‘e-conveyancing’.

E-conveyancing is described as the digital process that allows people to buy and sell property online, replacing the need for paper documents and manual processes. With this process, lawyers, conveyancers, and financial institutions use online platforms to prepare, sign, and lodge legal documents. 

The Housing Minister told participants: “What we accomplish here will lay the foundation for a modernised process that not only strengthens our domestic systems but also enhances Barbados’ competitiveness on the regional and international stage.
As we deliberate over the coming discussions, I urge you to think boldly and collaboratively.”

He encouraged them to consider three principles going into their discussions –  adaptability, inclusion, and innovation.

• Adaptability – solutions must reflect the diverse realities of all stakeholders;
• Inclusion – where every Barbadian deserves access to a fair, clear, and reliable system of property ownership and transfer;
• Innovation – where technology should be fully harnessed but always with a careful balance that safeguards rights and security.

“As Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, I am acutely aware of the critical role that land plays as the foundation of our societal and economic aspirations.  It is the cornerstone upon which Barbadians build homes, businesses, and dreams.

“However, as the demands of modern society go, so too does the need to ensure that systems underpinning our land rights, ownership documentation, and property transfers are aligned with global best practices,” he stressed.

Mr. Sutherland noted that globally, e-conveyancing had revolutionised the conveyancing process, bringing it into the digital era through greater transparency,  streamlined procedures, enhanced security, and faster transactions.

He added: “This is where e-conveyancing emerges as both a necessity and an opportunity…. While the benefits of digital systems are undeniable, the task before us is to critically engage with these ideas, tailoring solutions that are practical, equitable and context appropriate for Barbados.”

While admitting that the current property transfer process in Barbados is well-established, the Minister said that it is “burdened with certain inefficiencies”.  He explained that issues like delays, high transaction costs, and hurdles in securing definitive ownership records can discourage investment, particularly within the real estate sector, and undermine public confidence in land and property transactions.

“The journey toward e-conveyancing, however, is not simply a technological one. It is a multifaceted endeavour requiring collaboration across multiple disciplines. Legal expertise, digital innovation, and policy development must converge alongside the input of real estate professionals, financial institutions, and civil society organisations.

“We must also keep the interests of the public front and centre, recognising that any transformation of this kind must serve to empower citizens, while ensuring security and equity,” Mr. Sutherland stated.

The Minister pointed out that all stakeholders must remain cognisant of the unique cultural, legal, and historical framework within which Barbados operates, as Government seeks to chart the pathway towards e-conveyancing.

He acknowledged that integrating land ownership history, legislative systems, and the practical realities of property transactions into a streamlined automated system was not without its challenges. 

“The task is great, yes, but the rewards of a transparent, efficient, and modern land conveyancing system will be greater still…Together, let us seize this opportunity to shape a better future for the citizens of Barbados, a future where land ownership and property transactions are seamless, secure, and accessible to all,” he added. (PR/GIS)

The Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) is “critical” to the efficiency of Government.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley underscored this point today, after witnessing the brief swearing-in ceremony for the new Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Senator Jonathan Reid, at State House. He was sworn in by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Ms. Mottley told the media that people’s expectations had changed because of technology. She said when people’s expectations become too far from what was capable of being delivered, then they lose faith in the governance of the country and the systems of governance.

“One of the challenges, therefore, that we have had, is to be able to bring the country from an analogue environment into a digital environment. We have started the process. I’d like to see us move much quicker….

“But essentially, if we’re going to keep faith in democracy, then we have to keep faith with our citizens, whose expectations are being expanded, in some cases, beyond what we could ever hope for, and in some cases, where we can meet them. And this Ministry, therefore, … is intended to be able to bridge that gap and to ensure that we can digitise and innovate,” the Prime Minister stated.

In the areas of science and technology, she noted that many young people were not performing above par, in relation to Mathematics and Science. She disclosed that the CARICOM Heads of Government recently agreed to the establishment of an Educational Transformation Commission, with the hope that there would be greater improvement in these areas.

Ms. Mottley continued: “Industry is another key component to this Ministry…. If you look around Barbados, you basically see the same industrial infrastructure that we inherited over the course of the last few decades….  We’ve gotten to the stage now where we have to renew and energise that industrial infrastructure.”    

Senator Reid described his Ministry as one of “incredible opportunities”. He said: “It is a Ministry of collaboration, where it can sow the seeds for the work that the other Ministries do. When we speak of digital transformation and technologies these are really backbones of a body…. So, I believe the Ministry is one that will be a great collaborator; one that will bring to the fore a lot of the amazing work that the other Ministries and the Cabinet are doing….

“So, I think being fully collaborative and really understanding the power of technology to be able to drive efficiency gains [and] allow people to do things that they couldn’t do before is a powerful tool that we must embrace. I think we have an amazing opportunity, despite the difficulties, if we can rally together and drive to see a transformative Barbados….”

Senator Reid served as an advisor to Prime Minister Mottley during Government’s first term, and then Chief of Staff from 2022. He was educated at Christ Church Foundation School, the Barbados Community College, and The University of the West Indies.             

Those attending today’s ceremony included Attorney General Dale Marshall; Senior Ministers Dr. William Duguid, Kerrie Symmonds, and Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott; President of the Senate, The Most Honourable Reginald Farley, and his deputy, Senator The Most Honourable Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley chatting with President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason today at State House while newly appointed Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Senator Jonathan Reid, looks on.