Bostic urges action on voter apathy, civic duty

President Jeffrey Bostic on Friday warned that gun crime and violence pose the single greatest threat to the nation’s security and well-being, likening the crisis to a “category five hurricane” in an impassioned speech at the ceremonial opening of Parliament.  

In a 25-minute address in the Senate before parliamentarians from both chambers, President Bostic said the problem was a threat to national security and must be fixed through the collaborative efforts of all citizens, rather than treated as a political football.  

“There is nothing else in my view that threatens all sectors of our society and economy in the way that the continuous wave of gun-related activities,” he told newly elected members of the House of Assembly and those appointed to the Senate.  

“By far the most serious effect in the aftermath is, of course, a tragic loss of life and the committed psychological and emotional devastation that is inflicted on the families, friends and communities.”

While urging residents to continue expressing sympathy and showing empathy for those directly affected, the head of state had a sobering message for citizens who behave as though the problem is not their concern.  

President Bostic: “To all those who distance themselves from this menace because you think that it does not affect you, I say, you better think again. Gun crime and violence is seriously impacting the political, economic, social and psychological lives of all of us. It is contributing to the overwhelming of the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It is impacting our schools and churches in terms of participation in… activities.”

The president also told the gathering, which included reappointed Speaker of the House Arthur Holder — now presiding as a non-elected MP — that this type of crime was disrupting the use of community centres and playing fields for sport.  

“It creates an environment where many communities are paralysed with fear and panic. This will have a long-lasting impact on the psyche of our youth. This crisis affects the economic prospects of village and community establishments that provide a living for many of our people. We must fix this,” he pleaded.  

President Bostic told parliamentarians they must give maximum attention to the matter throughout the life of this Parliament, contending that although much had been done during the last parliamentary session, they must dig deeper.  

He said: “We must see this as a threat to national security in all its manifestations, and not as a political football. We are facing a multi-dimensional problem that can only be addressed in a multi-dimensional way. The situation will not change overnight. The desired outcomes will not be easily attainable, but there must be no retreat, no surrender.

“So, let’s start by acknowledging that gun crime and violence is the outward expression of the frustrations emanating from deeply rooted problems that we have not adequately addressed for decades. 

“We must pay our fullest attention to getting to the root of the problem. We all know that cutting off the branches of the tree will be a temporary fix until the branches spring again. We must engage our children from the primary school level and throughout secondary school. Now is the time for every citizen and resident of Barbados to stand for our youth.”  

President Bostic also addressed what he considered the urgent and increasing challenges of traffic congestion, healthcare, and the need to safeguard democracy.  

“We must confront with urgency and innovation the growing challenge of traffic congestion that affects productivity, family life and national well-being. We must also continue to strengthen our health care system, ensuring that it is accessible, efficient and responsive to the needs of every citizen, particularly the most vulnerable among us.  

“At the same time,” he continued, “we must remain vigilant in safeguarding our democracy, protecting our institutions, upholding transparency and nurturing public trust, so that governance in our views remains not only effective, but accountable.”  

Describing traffic congestion as a national priority, President Bostic urged the government not to be afraid to solicit public views so that everyone could be part of the solution to address the issue, which he said was fuelling rising impatience and road rage.  

He also expressed concern about voter apathy, evident in the general election, which he said required parliamentary intervention given the thousands who stayed away from the polls.  

He said now was the time for everyone to understand that voting must become their national duty and responsibility.  

“We cannot ignore the signal sent by the electorate, communicated by way of too many people opting not to cast their vote. We cannot ignore the complaints by several persons… regarding the many challenges that they experienced in exercising that right. The growing apathy among voters and a significant reduction in the viewership of parliamentary debates is not merely statistics.”

He continued: “They represent a growing concern that threatens the very spirit and culture of our democracy. The people have tuned out, perhaps because they feel that what happens here does not reflect their reality, or perhaps that the discourse has descended into noise. They must be addressed. 

“The way forward must start right here in this Parliament, the members of the Senate and the House of Assembly must work harder to ensure that both places become theatres of ideas and not cages. I expect debates to illuminate rather than oppose.”