Barbados needs small airport

2/3/2013

Serious consideration should be given to the building of a small airport or airfield in the parish of St Lucy as a deterrent to criminal activity off the northern coast of Barbados.

It can be funded with assistance from the OAS and the Canadian and United States governments, all of whom have a vested interest in Caribbean security.

If drug smugglers and other criminal elements know that there is such a surveillance-equipped facility in the north, they would probably think twice about trying to smuggle drugs into Barbados through that part of the island.

It would be a worthwhile investment by all of the parties involved and would pay substantial dividends down the road. Therefore, whichever political party is returned to power in Barbados at the next election should make it an item of priority for the near future.

There are countries that are smaller than Barbados which have multiple airports or airfields that serve an important purpose in crime fighting and military training. This country must therefore elevate itself to that level of development. Not only will it provide law enforcement with additional tools and resources, but it would also provide employment for some of our northern brethren, and contribute to the expansion of the Barbados economy as well.

It would also be beneficial to Canada, Great Britain and the United States, which all have a stake in the regional security of the Caribbean in general.

ASHLEY MCCLEAN

Source:  http://www.barbadosadvocate.com