Readers to Barbados Underground would have observed that we have been encouraging the young minds of our country to share their views with wider Barbados. We are very pleased that our young friend from UWI has been making a very constructive contribution to BU in recent days. We continue to urge others to do the same. We are again pleased to highlight the view of another concerned young Barbadian – a 19 year old UWI student – who has started a blog called the Future of Barbados, we hope they can sustain the effort! We find the article to be relevant in light of the vexing issue of the open door immigration policy which appears to be in place in Barbados. It is important that our current policymakers understand how our future policymakers feel on the subject. We can’t promise that we will be able to highlight all the emails which we are receiving, but we do encourage all young Barbadians to participate in the several avenues which are available. There is no place for apathy or cynicism by citizens in our society; it is up to us to participate in our democracy or there is a good chance we could lose it.
We should not ignore the young minds because after all it is our hard earned dollars which is being used to educate them!
Here is the contribution by Young Bajan:
Owning piece of the rock?
With a population nearing 300 000, the people of Barbados, have to realise that their dream of owning a piece of this 166 square mile rock is simple not a reality. Over the years, people migrating to England to be nurses and bus drivers, to Panama, to work on the canal etc., has controlled the population size of Barbados somewhat, but with an increasing population, in an already over-populated country, one must prepare themselves for the evolution of the Barbadian home.
Limited land, with high density can only mean one thing, buildings must go up! Apartment complexes, condominiums and studios could become the new “home” of the average Bajan. Already, many hotels are being converted into condominiums. If the rent for these rooms are within the salary range of the average bajan, who simply has no access to land, then I guarantee you, desperate Bajans will take up this new option.
The point remains that all of us still want a piece of the rock, that valuable asset, that actually appreciates in value. But we must face the facts, with a high demand and a limited supply, land prices in Barbados are red hot and are well outside the reach of the working class bajan. If government doesn’t intervene but simply leaves the ownership of land subjective to the market, all Bajans should forget about securing a piece of the rock, and start securing themselves an apartment to live in!!!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.