Opposition Leader Reverend Joseph Atherley has questioned the timing of Government’s decision to remove Immigration officials from some sections of the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).
Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson had earlier revealed that Cabinet had taken a decision to move personnel from the departure and arrival halls effective February 1.
However, during his contribution to the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2019 in Parliament this afternoon, Atherley queried whether government had properly thought through the move.
“While I, in principle, have no problem with the removal of such because we see it happening elsewhere, at the same time we still have to admit that it is still in place in very many places in this world and we have to utilize those systems when we travel to other people’s countries,” Atherley said.
“But the point is this, it has to do with the timing. Today as a country we are trying to wrestle the evil of that rising tide of serious gun violence and criminal activity to the ground. Today we are becoming increasingly aware that the phenomenon of violent crime is not a matter that is localized, but that it is organized trans-regionally, trans-nationally and therefore the issue of cross border activity becomes a critical consideration. I find it a bit challenging that when we are faced with that rising spectre of criminal violence and we are met with an understanding that part of the dynamic contributing to that is cross border travel and movement, I find it a little challenging as to the timing of removing officers from the departure point at the airport.”
He admitted that while he was not against the shift, he believed it had to be done at the proper time.
“I have no problem with their removal at the right time and over time, but it is this government that must judge and it is this particular minister that must judge whether or not this is the appropriate time to do that,” the Opposition Leader
maintained.
Atherley however, said he had no problem with the introduction of additional kiosks, once it was properly managed and once issues of privacy were appropriately dealt with.
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Huh???
Come again
He really behaves like a government back bencher not an opposition leader!
Come on now Mr.Artherley, stop opposing just for the sake of opposing.
i feel we should have a combination and not a total removal.
Next.
JOE BLOKE man..ya just OPPOSING because ya is the OPPOSITION leader …that is CLEAR as water.
JOE BLOKE says…“I have no problem with their removal at the right time and over time, but it is this government that must judge and it is this particular minister that must judge whether or not this is the appropriate time to do that,” the Opposition Leader maintained.
…lord have mercy and don’t you think that the particular MINISTER and the GOVERNMENT didn’t JUDGE that this time was the appropriate time??? or you think that they ONLY made that judgement the day before?
Atherley man…ya got to OPPOSE with SENSE… cheese-on-bread
I dont think it should be a complete removal, not sure just saying, things already are being slipped through though, cant make it easier, if that is what isgoing to happen then everyone else should be on their toes and leave out the lazy dont care attitudes,
Not a fan of him but he is right on point,why in the hell are they going to removed immigration officers especially from arrival hall and don’t think shady characters gine take advantage of that.All for technology but let’s be real things in Barbados never work like they supposed to work shortcuts is the name of the game,stop talking about other countries doing same thing because people in other countries test those systems and have backup plans unlike Barbados.Have trial runs been done on these kiosks, are they going to be immigration officers station in airport to stop and question suspicious incoming travelers,getting a bad feeling about this.
On point Rawl
Traitor Joe is now becoming known as the “questions man”. He has asked more questions in Parliament than any other opposition leader in history. So much so that he has instructed his newly appointed team not to criticize the Administration for criticizing sake but, rather, ask searching questions. Good luck with trying to control loose tongue Caswell Franklyn.
Visitors arrive from regional as well as international countries. Among them, are many elderly and first-time paxs who travel but are not necessarily tech-savy. Hope provision is made for them…in the form of some sort of assistance…or long lines might still prevail especially at peak times.
They must be officers there to assist for many reasons, such for who may not be computer literate, failing eyesight and many other issues but I will remind Judas Joe that time is short so hold on to that wind fall that you went after.