Social care minister hails $7m urban revival fund

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey has welcomed the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) commitment to contribute $7 million to a soon-to-be-established urban transformation fund. This initiative aims to enhance the lives of city residents through infrastructural and community improvements.

Speaking on the sidelines of Tuesday’s Data in Action: Youth Data Literacy as a Tool for Change workshop, hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office at UN House, Humphrey described the investment as a positive development for the community.

He said: “I think it is a very good thing; if you cast your minds back, though, this is not a new approach by the government. We said that we were going to do planning gains whenever we were engaged in these major constructions. A planning gain essentially is where a person is doing major work of that kind, then takes on responsibilities for improving the houses closer to the construction. That is the government’s policy.

“In relation to Afreximbank and the proposal to support the houses in the neighbourhood, of course, I am happy about that.”

Welcoming Afreximbank’s proposal to support housing improvements in the region, Humphrey acknowledged that, despite the dark history of the slave trade, initiatives like this contribute to strengthening ties with the African continent. He expressed optimism about the project’s potential to enhance the quality of life for area residents.

He said: “I think the improvement in history really means that we take the same path that was used to do evil and now do good. Essentially that is what this is, this is sanitising the history, and I think by allowing the bank to do such meaningful work [is good]. My constituency is right next door. That particular location now is filled at night with drug addicts, it’s always on fire, the police and the fire service would tell you that. The property needed an upgrade and I think this is a wonderful improvement.”

The minister further revealed that many residents along the affected street have expressed enthusiasm for the project, viewing it as a welcomed starting point for economic opportunities.

“I must also tell you that I spoke to a number of the residents that live along that street and they are very pleased about the improvement of the area and the possibilities for themselves to engage in business, and they look forward to their properties being improved as well. I think overall it’s a very good thing for Barbados,” Humphrey explained.

(SB)