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Hon Fahie hails late Owen S. Arthur as 'champion of regional integration'

- following passing of former Barbados PM today July 27, 2020.
As a tribute to the Former Barbadian Prime Minister Owen S. Arthur who passed away this morning, July 27, 2020, at age 70, Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called for the House of Assembly (HoA) to stand for a moment of silence. Photo: Internet Source
Government Members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly stand for a moment of silence, Today, July 20, 2020, in honour of the Late Owen S. Arthur, the former Barbados Prime Minister. Photo: HoA/File
Government Members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly stand for a moment of silence, Today, July 20, 2020, in honour of the Late Owen S. Arthur, the former Barbados Prime Minister. Photo: HoA/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), commenting on the death of Mr Owen S. Arthur, said the Caribbean Community has lost a public service giant in our region. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), commenting on the death of Mr Owen S. Arthur, said the Caribbean Community has lost a public service giant in our region. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - As a tribute to the former Barbadian Prime Minister, Owen S. Arthur, who passed away this morning, July 27, 2020, at age 70, Virgin Islands' Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called for the House of Assembly (HoA) to stand for a moment of silence.

Moments ago at today's 13th Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House Of Assembly in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, Hon Fahie also made a special statement on behalf of the House and the People of the Territory.

A public service giant - Hon Fahie 

"The Caribbean Community has lost a public service giant in our region. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister of Barbados who held office through consecutive terms spanning from 1994 to 2008. He also served as Opposition Leader.

"He was indeed a giant of Caribbean policies, more than any other leader of his era. He was a champion of regional integration and Caribbean unity which he pushed for vigorously through Caricom," Hon Fahie said.

He said the late Mr Arthur was about the welfare of the countries of the Caribbean region and about building on regional integration amongst countries.

Arthur championed regional integration - Hon Fahie 

"His legacy lives on as the Caribbean continues to build on the regional integration initiatives that began under his leadership," the Leader of Government Business said. 

Hon Fahie also extended condolences to the family of the late former PM, the Government and people of Barbados before asking the House to stand for 30 seconds of silence in honour of the late leader.

The Barbados Government Information Service said Mr Arthur passed away at 12:26 am this morning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Mr Arthur was hospitalised in mid-July with heart complications and was in the Intensive Care Unit.

3 Responses to “Hon Fahie hails late Owen S. Arthur as 'champion of regional integration'”

  • Flap (27/07/2020, 15:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    rest in peace old boy.
  • My Take (27/07/2020, 15:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was a good gesture by Premier Fahie
  • E. Leonard (27/07/2020, 15:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    On this solemn occasion, extend warmest condolences to the late former Barbados PM Owen Arthur’s family on his passing. Hon Premier Andrew A. Fahie(R1) lauded PM Owen Arthur for his leadership on regional integration and unity. Though we may laud and celebrate his regional integration and unity effort, the effort is still a work in progress. The regional is still dreaming of the regional integration and unity effort bearing fruit. Regional integration and unity are vital and critical for the continued growth, development and sustainability of the region that is small, resource-poor, hazard-prone........etc and beset by a myriad of challenges, eg, economic, social, environmental, institutional and political.

    Moreover, the gap between the dream, the ideal and the practical reality of regional integration and unity is wide. The gap needs to the narrowed or eliminated altogether. The West Indies Federation (1958-62), a major attempt at regional integration, failed prematurely. Jamaica exited the Federation and attained independent on 06 August 1962, followed closely by Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados...........etc. At Jamaica’s exit from the Federation, former Trinidad and Tobago PM(Chief Minister at the time) Dr. Eric Williams quipped, “One from ten leaves nought.” IMO the region would have been farther along if the Federation had been given a greater chance. Regional integration is too important an effort to let it die on the vine. The region cannot let the effort of PM Arthur go for nought. Let his effort live on.


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