The CDEye extends condolences to Sir Garfield Auburn Sobers's, family and loved ones, the people of Barbados, the Cricketing fraternity and all who mourns his transition. R.I.E.P Sir Garfield Auburn Sobers.

The CDEye

From the Boys of the 1940s and 1950s

There will be many tributes paid to our National Hero, Sir Garfield Sobers. Many will be touching, and all will speak to the genius he was.

Some will speak of his kindness, his friendliness, his love for fellow man, his sportsmanship, his fairness, and his many talents. His family will remember his thoughtfulness, care, and love. His teammates will speak of his fearlessness, his respect for the game, his exceptional talent, his deep understanding of cricket, and his remarkable ability to rise to the moment.

But men born in the late 1940s and 1950s will remember something else as well. We will remember what Sir Gary meant to boys who were growing up in Barbados and looking for greatness that looked like us, spoke like us, walked among us, and came from this rock.

He carried himself with confidence, assurance, and quiet comfort in who he was and what he represented. He encouraged without noise. He listened with patience. His voice was calm. His smile was warm. Those who came into contact with him often left wanting to stand a little taller, walk a little straighter, and be a little better.

So we walked like him. We turned our collars up like him. We ran up like him. We tried to bat like him.

“Sobey” was our hero long before we walked to the Garrison to see the Queen place the sword upon him. He stood tall then, and he has remained tall ever since, high above most men born on this island, not only because of what he achieved, but because of how he achieved it.

There are countless stories of this giant of a man who seemed able to do everything, yet carried it all with humility, grace, and style. He gave Barbados pride. He gave cricket beauty. He gave generations of boys a living example of excellence.

He will never leave us. Our only regret is that more recent generations, and those yet to come, will not be blessed in the same way with his presence, his performances, and the wonder of seeing Sir Gary Sobers in full flight.

Rest well, great yet humble man of the people.

Derek Alleyne

July 18, 2026

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Government's  Continued  Assault  on  Agricultural  Land Threatens Barbados' Food Security

 The announcement of the newest housing development at Vineyard, St. Philip represents yet another disheartening setback for agriculture in Barbados. It is deeply troubling that this Government continues to sacrifice fertile agricultural land for housing developments, this time proposing to utilize approximately 80 acres of prime agricultural land to construct 1,100 houses at a reported cost of $300 million.

This latest proposal comes against the backdrop of a growing list of failed, delayed, and unfinished government housing projects that have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Barbadians have not forgotten the $60 million Hope Housing Project; the Chinese steel-framed housing project, which ballooned to approximately $44 million after cost overruns; the ill-conceived Pool, St. John development, where construction commenced without basic infrastructure or the transfer of titles, resulting in an estimated $10 million in wasted public funds; the long-delayed Dodds Plantation project, which should have been completed in 2023; the Cliffden Hill, St. Philip development, now more than two years behind schedule with no clear accounting of its cost; and the abandoned Brighton, St. George housing project.

Before embarking on yet another massive development, Government owes Barbadians an explanation for these unfinished projects and the millions of taxpayer dollars already squandered.

Equally concerning is the Government's claim that these homes are intended for low-income Barbadians. Housing starting at $170,000 simply cannot be described as affordable for many working-class families struggling under the weight of rising inflation, stagnant wages, and an ever-increasing cost of living. Such pricing effectively excludes many of the very people who need affordable housing the most.

This is further evidence that the Government has become disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Barbadians and reflects the National Housing Corporation's failure to fulfill its mandate of providing genuinely affordable housing.

Transparency and accountability are not optional in a democracy. Barbadians deserve answers. This Administration cannot continue to dispose of national assets and make decisions of enormous public consequence without meaningful consultation, full disclosure, and accountability. Citizens are increasingly concerned about the direction in which this country is heading, and those concerns cannot simply be ignored.

If we do not produce, we will perish.

Government's persistent conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses fundamentally undermines every stated commitment to food security. Food security cannot be achieved while reducing the very land base upon which local food production depends. Every acre of fertile agricultural land lost to housing or commercial development weakens Barbados' ability to feed

itself and increases our dependence on imported food.

How does Government seriously expect to achieve food security while steadily eroding the country's agricultural capacity? Agricultural land should remain dedicated to agriculture. Once prime farmland is lost, it is rarely recovered.

The consequences of this policy extend far beyond agriculture. Barbados continues to struggle with an unprecedented food import bill while the cost of nutritious food places healthy eating beyond the reach of many families. At the same time, health professionals continue to warn about the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases, while approximately 42 percent of our nation's children are classified as obese. These realities demand a serious national commitment to expanding local food production and not reducing it.

The Government's carefully staged social media photographs and public relations exercises, showing a Minister posing in fields after dark, amount to little more than political theatre. They create the illusion of commitment to agriculture while the reality tells a very different story. Farmers continue to plead for reliable access to irrigation water. Pig farmers are struggling to compete against imported frozen pork from Suriname. Yet meaningful interventions remain absent.

Instead of implementing practical policies that strengthen the agricultural sector, the Minister of Agriculture appears more focused on optics than outcomes. Many Barbadians have been left disappointed by the Minister's performance. Leadership requires results, not photo opportunities. Continued inaction poses a direct threat to agricultural development and our nation's long-term food security.

There are also serious questions that demand immediate public answers.

• Was a Resolution laid in Parliament authorizing Vineyard Development Inc. to enter into this Joint Venture arrangement with Government?
• Have the lands already been transferred, or are they in the process of being transferred, to a Special Purpose Vehicle under Vineyard Development Inc.?
• The Prime Minister has indicated that Government will contribute the land as equity. What valuation has been assigned to that land, and what is the cost per square foot being used for this transaction?
• What safeguards exist to ensure that Barbadians receive full value for these public assets?

Government must also provide Barbadians with an update on several agricultural initiatives that have seemingly disappeared from public discussion.

What is the current status of the prison farming programme that was intended to supply food for inmates and members of the Barbados Defence Force?

What measurable benefits has Barbados received after exporting our indigenous Black Belly Sheep genetics, and what concrete plans exist to rebuild local herd numbers?

What is the status of the imported heifers programme, and what outcomes has it achieved?

What progress has been made in developing the Medicinal Cannabis Industry? How much revenue

has Government collected through licence and application fees, and what economic benefits have flowed to the people of Barbados?

Barbadians deserve clear answers, measurable outcomes, and responsible stewardship of our national resources. Food security is not achieved through speeches, slogans, or staged photographs. It requires vision, planning, investment, and above all, the protection of the finite agricultural lands upon which our nation's future depends.

This Government must immediately reconsider its continued practice of converting prime agricultural land into housing developments. Once these lands are covered with concrete, they are lost forever. The decisions being made today will determine whether future generations inherit a country capable of feeding itself, or one that has permanently traded its food security for short-term political gain.

Barbados deserves better.

Amoy Gilding-Bourne, Attorney-at-Law

DLP Spokesperson on Agriculture & Food Security

July-16-2026

The Man Who Distinguished Himself as the Vice-President in Hiding

By David L. Dec Bowen JP

Every political era produces its stand-out figures, the reformers, the fighters, the loyalists who stand firm when conditions worsen. And then there are those who perfect a different craft altogether. Michael Lashley distinguished himself not by leadership in adversity, but by disappearance when leadership mattered most.

The office of Vice-President of the Democratic Labour Party was never intended to be symbolic. It was meant to anchor the party in moments of pressure, to provide steadiness when electoral defeat, public criticism, and internal strain converged. Instead, when the party entered its most difficult period, the Vice-President perfected a quieter role, that of the Vice-President in Hiding.

While the Democratic Labour Party faced its harshest scrutiny in a generation, Barbadians searched in vain for his voice. There was no rallying call, no public defense of colleagues, no visible effort to shoulder responsibility. Silence was not accidental; it was consistent. When the party needed leadership from him, it got absence. When it needed courage, it got concealment.

This was not strategic restraint. It was political self-preservation and cowardice. Others stood in the line of fire, absorbed the blows of public anger, and carried the burden of defeat. The Vice-President, meanwhile, ensured that his record remained pristine, untouched by decision, unscarred by accountability, and safely removed from consequence.

Having retreated when the weather turned hostile, he has now conveniently re-emerged on the sunnier side of the political street, ascending into the ranks of the BLP. The journey tells its own story. Loyalty, it seems, was conditional. Principle was negotiable. Survival, however, was non-negotiable.

Barbadians should harbour no illusions that this change of jersey signals a change of character. The behaviour is entirely consistent. When times are hard, he disappears. When power is secure, he resurfaces. The same instinct that kept him silent in opposition will keep him silent in government, especially when difficult questions arise.

If politics is about service, then this record reflects something else entirely: office without burden, title without duty, and presence without responsibility. If leadership is measured by who stands when it is uncomfortable, then this tenure will be remembered for doing precisely the opposite.

In the end, history will judge many harshly for what they said and did. The Vice-President in Hiding will be judged for something far worse, that when leadership was demanded, he chose invisibility, and when accountability loomed, he chose alignment.

Political parties may change. Governments may change.

But the habit of hiding, once perfected, rarely disappears.

And Barbados should expect nothing more, and nothing less, than consistency.

David L. Dec Bowen JP

These days it is rear to attend a Celebratory event that gives total satisfaction for the event and its underlying cause). I was privileged to be invited to and attend such an event in honour of 25 years operation of Nailah House, owned and run by a very good friend Jennifer Lapompe.

Below, Jennifer gives us a little insight into the history of Nailah House, her passion for social care engagement, and the celebration of providing a residential care service to young people over the past 25 years.

25 Years of Impact. – 25 Years Walking in Purpose

Jennifer Lapompe

On Friday 9 January, Nailah House proudly celebrated 25 years of operation, marking a significant milestone in its journey of providing residential care, stability, and consistent support to children and young people.

Founded in January 2001 by Jennifer Lapompe, Nailah House Children’s Home provides care and accommodation for young people aged 13 to 18 years. Over the past quarter of a century, the Home has remained committed to offering a safe, nurturing, and purposeful environment for some of society’s most vulnerable children.

Founder Jennifer Lapompe is a Barbadian-born entrepreneur, author, social care provider, international speaker, award-winning humanitarian, and ordained Minister of the Gospel.

Jennifer founded her first company, JaNailah Ltd, in 1997, with a primary focus on preventative services, aimed at reducing children’s entry into the care system. Through JaNailah Ltd, Jennifer also delivered consultancy and training to individuals, organisations, and community groups.

Jennifer’s professional background spans over 40 years of leadership across public and private sectors. She is a qualified social worker, youth worker, community worker, manager, practice teacher, and trained coach, specialising in personal development and business mentoring. Her work has consistently focused on enabling individuals to uncover purpose, develop confidence, and achieve their best potential.

Jennifer’s shares that it was never her original intention to establish a children’s residential home. Having successfully developed a care Home for a London borough, she was inspired to create her own, rooted in her own values. In September 2000, Jennifer purchased a large property in east London and undertook extensive renovations to ensure the environment was safe, welcoming, and homely. By December 2000, the renovations were complete, and in January 2001, Nailah House officially opened its doors.

Reflecting on the realities of sustaining a children’s residential home over 25 years, Jennifer openly acknowledges the challenges of the sector. She describes residential care as one of the most demanding businesses to establish and maintain, requiring constant availability, emotional resilience, and unwavering commitment, particularly in the early years.

Emergencies are frequent, and responsibility is continuous. Jennifer highlights the impact of heavy regulations, including unannounced inspections by OFSTED, and the pressures this place on managers and frontline staff. She describes the care system as operating within a blame culture, making it essential for her to act as a buffer between regulators and her team. Central to Jennifer’s leadership philosophy is ensuring care, value, and protection of staff working on the frontline.

Jennifer purports that “oftentimes, those who care for society’s most vulnerable are the least valued or respected” in society.

Jennifer is currently writing a book reflecting on the realities of operating a care business, drawing on her lived experience, leadership insight, and long-term resilience within the sector.

Reflecting on the journey, Jennifer shared:

“When I reflect over 25 years, I am humbled by the young lives that have been positively impacted. This work has never just been a business to me—my purpose has always been one of service to others. Despite the challenges, the regulations, and the moments when it felt overwhelming, I know I am walking in my purpose. When I reached that realisation, my perspective changed.”

This reflection captures the heart of Nailah House: a service built not only on professional expertise and regulatory compliance, but on deep personal conviction, resilience, and service to others.

Jennifer shared that there has been more than one occasion where she was ready to walk away from the service, highlighting the emotional, physical, and personal toll of sustaining a residential care service. However, purpose, faith, and commitment to young people sustained the journey. There was a moment where she prayed to be released, but felt a tug from God, urging her to continue. Jennifer shared that the realisation that the children’s Home was part of her ‘ministry’, was a pivoting point for her.

Jennifer’s entrepreneurial endeavours doesn’t stop here. Her second company, Essence of Ilia, operates as a transformation-based enterprise showcasing her writing, faith-based products, seminars, and her most recent “Heb Seven” clothing line.

Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2009, Jennifer is licensed to minister globally. In 2010, she founded the registered charity Shai Foundation, which she describes as her ‘ministry’.

The foundation supports the educational opportunities of disadvantaged children and young people impacted by poverty, neglect, abuse, and exploitation globally. The charity’s work spans the UK, the Caribbean, and Africa. Shai Foundation, through its sponsorship programme supported over 80 children in Haiti between 2012 -2021 to get an education and their families food parcels monthly. Shai foundation also built homes for the most vulnerable in the poverty-stricken island. The Foundation has extended its support to Barbados, where it funds the work of the Babbs Reading Clinic. The project teaches disadvantage boys and young men to read.

Jennifer lives in London and has one son, who, through her mentoring and example, was inspired to establish his own children’s care Home, providing accommodation and care for young men aged 16 and over. This continuation of service represents a tangible legacy of purpose in action.

Jennifer describes one of her proudest moments as witnessing her son carry on the work of developing young people, especially ‘troubled’ young men

The 25th Anniversary Celebration

The 25th anniversary celebration brought together past and present staff, family members, friends, and supporters, all united by their shared connection to Nailah House and its enduring values. The event was marked by reflection, gratitude, and celebration, honouring not only the longevity of the Home, but the people who have contributed to its success over the years.

The celebration recognised the loyalty, dedication, and resilience of staff, with shared memories highlighting the strong sense of family, community, and collective responsibility that defines Nailah House. It was a powerful reminder that the Home’s impact extends beyond buildings and policies, rooted instead in relationships, consistency, and care.

From its inception, the vision for Nailah House has been to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people feel protected, respected, and supported to grow into independence. Jennifer firmly believes that “given the right environment, everyone has the capacity to achieve positive change.”

As Nailah House celebrates this remarkable milestone, it looks to the future with renewed purpose—continuing to uphold its founding values while adapting to the evolving needs of young people. The Home remains committed to delivering care that is compassionate, structured, and purposeful, ensuring that every young person is supported to move forward with dignity, confidence, and hope.

Jennifer Lapompe   

January 2026

www.janailah.co.uk

www.essenceofilia.com

www.shaifoundation.co.uk

A Party at War With Its Own Past, and Unprepared for the Future

By David L Dec. Bowen JP

The Barbados Labour Party’s growing internal confusion has now been compounded by an even more damaging reality: a party unable to reconcile its present political needs with its own recent history.

The controversy surrounding St. Michael Central and the handling of Tyra Trotman did not arise in a vacuum. It reopened wounds the BLP itself created three years ago, when a devastating video, widely circulated and never meaningfully repudiated by the party at the time, cast serious doubt on political judgement, standards, and internal vetting. That video did real political damage. It shaped public perception. And it was never properly closed.

Fast forward to today, and the country is asked to believe that the same episode is now irrelevant, misunderstood, or unfairly recalled. The hurried apology and explanation offered by Tyra Trotman, clearly defensive, carefully worded, and politically necessary, only deepened the contradiction. Barbadians are left asking an obvious question: if the matter required apology now, why was it acceptable silence then?

This is not about personal redemption. It is about political consistency and credibility. A governing party cannot spend years benefiting from political attacks and character narratives, only to reverse itself when electoral convenience demands it. That is not leadership; it is opportunism.

The deeper issue is what this episode exposes about the Barbados Labour Party’s internal state. Candidate selection appears reactive rather than principled. Decisions are made, unmade, and then explained after the fact. Damage control replaces clarity. Apologies replace accountability. And once again, the public is expected to suspend memory for the sake of party strategy.

This is what political exhaustion looks like.

While the governing Barbados Labour Party struggles to manage its contradictions, the contrast with the Opposition could not be more stark. The Democratic Labour Party stands today as the only political party fully prepared for a general election, having named all 30 of its candidates, placed them before the electorate, and accepted the scrutiny that comes with readiness.

There are no surprise reversals. No emergency apologies. No last-minute narrative rewrites. The DLP has made its choices openly and early, because confidence allows transparency.

This election is shaping up to be more than a contest of policies. It is a test of political maturity. One party is facing the electorate with preparation and coherence. The other is still arguing with its own shadow.

And in politics, when a party loses control of its narrative, it rarely retains control of government.

David L. Dec. Bowen JP

January 2026

SHEDDING THE CARTEL: A THORNE IN THE SIDE OF EVIL.

By Wade Gibbons

I have lived in Barbados, consciously, under the previous rule of Errol Barrow, Tom Adams, Bernard St. John, Erskine Sandiford, Owen Arthur, David Thompson and Freundel Stuart. This is the first time I feel as though Barbados is under the yoke of an unsavoury cartel.

There seems to be no respect for our institutions and the rule of law, functioning democracy has become a mere catchphrase, there are suspicions about the operations of the judiciary and possible political influence, there is concern about the emasculation of the Barbados Police Service and obvious political interference and infiltration.

There is worry that many in the church pray to one God but kowtow to the whims and fancies of a would-be demigod. Barbadian values in grooming that made schoolchildren look like schoolchildren have been subsumed in the imported poison foisted on every parish in the name of education. Connected criminals are being gifted more resources than pensioners, children and the infirm. Drug abuse has moved from backstreets and indoors and now proudly parades at most social gatherings.

Traditional media have so taken to Bush Hill that some owners and managers would make Jezebel look chaste. The labour movement too is now showing similar flesh outside the Savannah. Both have been prey to Amazonian dictates. Political leaders are openly consorting, cavorting and carousing with thugs. Laws are being changed, not to serve the interests of the masses, but can be interpreted as providing opportunities for family and friends, and to extract money from beleaguered citizens.

Fear of the government has so gripped many Barbadians that they remain silent when they should be screaming to the high heavens. Their silence is a sharp contrast to the wounds our government inflicts daily.

Adults confuse rotund one-liners, rhetoric, quips and empty verbose for intelligence, negro influencers return to auction and sell their soul and integrity for a pittance. Some give attribution to the term "cares" as though it is a true moniker of its target's character, when it is nothing more than wasted air from the mouths of dullards.

Barbados seems just 30 pieces of silver away from its final descent - the first sanctioned killing of public dissenters by the criminal alliances of those pulling the strings.

The alternative for Barbados is abundantly clear.

As if living a paradox, one man with nothing to lose, has put everything on the line to lose, because he believes what he is fighting for is much bigger than himself. He sees the people he seeks to serve as greater than himself. He has no qualms about confronting "Big Works"; he intends to be a thorn in the side of evil.

The catchy, plagiarised slogan "lost decade" was used to good effect by a motley group. That misnomer has been replaced by the stark reality of Eight Years of Evil; eight years of murders and mayhem, eight years of contempt and corruption, eight years of bogus growth, botched laws and blind borrowing, eight years of worsening social services and contrived foreign reserves. Eight years of selling Barbadians an illusion.

The chance and choices to return Barbados to some semblance of decency and normalcy seem palpably easy. Time for Bajans to shed their blinkers. . .and the cartel

Author, Wade Gibbons,

January 2026

I recently had the privilege of receiving some wonderful and inspiring news about one of our accomplished young black men, Mr Ricardo Eversley, a British born  Barbadian offspring. With his consent, I am pleased to share this news, which highlight his remarkable achievements.

Ricardo Eversley is the son of Mrs Judy Eversley and the late Dr Owen Oswald Eversley, OBE, who served as a former Deputy High Commissioner for Barbados to the UK. Currently based in London, Ricardo is a creative professional and holds the position of Senior Lecturer at the London Metropolitan University in the School of Art, Architecture and Design.

His broad knowledge of past, present and future trends is reflected in a diverse mix of consultancy, teaching, and creative practice-based solutions. These solutions are featured across the niches of digital products, branding, entertainment, fashion, and youth culture. At present, his research focuses on diversity in learning, the impact and significance of e-learning methodologies, contemporary digital products such as websites and apps, and the interplay of image and type, data, and visualisation.

Ricardo continues to advance his learning and contribute to academia, and he recently graduated with an MA in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, which he received alongside students he teaches within The School of Art, Architecture and Design and three other schools at London Metropolitan University, Winter Graduation.. Ricardo was invited to deliver the opening address at the graduation ceremony at London Metropolitan University. He chose to frame his speech around the esteemed late leader of Barbados, The Rt Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, and his concept of the “Mirror Image.” In his address, Ricardo emphasised that graduation is not merely an event, but a privilege earned through sustained engagement.

In his speech, Ricardo spoke of achievements and reflected on The Rt Errol Barrow, the first Prime Minister of Barbados, whose visionary stance on education and self-determination included the idea of the mirror image we hold of ourselves. Ricardo then posed a thought-provoking question to the graduates: “What kind of reflection do you carry with you today?”

Ricardo’s presentation can be viewed here.

The Caribbean Daily Eye extends its congratulations and best wishes to Mr Ricardo Eversley for his accomplishments and contributions to the world of education.

Anderson Connell

Sources: London Metropolitan University, Mr Ricardo Eversley, Mrs Judy Eversley.

03 Nov 2025

US Conflict In The Caribbean, An Aspiring Global Reach.

We're in the midst of a global conflict that's going to engage the Caribbean region; WW3 if you will. Venezuela/Caribbean Sea is just another front of the war between Anglo-America and its allies and Russia and its allies which includes Venezuela and Cuba.

The US is about to fight 3 wars on 3 major fronts. The Caribbean. (Its backyard which will also result in domestic conflict on the US mainland in time). Europe/Ukraine (This war will spread into Western Europe by next year), Gaza/Iran/Middle East bearing in mind the primary target is China.

Within the Caribbean region, we have Trinidad & Tobago's (TT) new PM who has shown no interest in the collective agreement with, nor the development of CARICOM, and who is in full support of the US. The TT PM is fully in support of the US’s unilateral military actions in the Caribbean region against the cover of drug cartels but with the goal of regime change in Venezuela.

There is no international agreement or approval for the US’s current military actions in the Caribbean region, but then they (President Donald Trump) appear to be using the precedence set by Russia (Vladimir Putin) against Ukraine. In fact, many international bodies / leaders are calling this action by the US in the Caribbean region, illegal.

As for the rest of CARICOM members, they are at a loss and have been for many years. Some were relying on Barbados PM, Mia Mottley to enable CARIOM to deliver the collective power and strength of the region as an international force, but sadly, Motley has her career designs on the UN from what we can see. She’s an establishment lackey anyway and is effectively a colonial governor for the crown. So, for all intense purposes, CARICOM and by extension, the Caribbean region, bears no relevance to the US, neither do they have any clout to influence the US away from its current military actions in the region, and its ultimate goal of regime change in Venezuela.

In addition, there’s not going to be any leaders in the Caribbean who will put their lives and careers on the line for this. Geopolitically this is way over their heads, and the Caribbean is not a zone of influence nor does it have any political leverage internationally. The US is aware of this, and Venezuela is the easiest of the Ukraine Iran China/Russian targets. It wouldn’t be a surprise if President Maduro of Venezuela does a runner and allows Venezuela to collapse to save himself as apparently his been attempting to make backdoor deals with the US.

The US’s ultimate goal is regime change in Venezuela, which will give the US full access to the rich oil reserves in the Caribbean region, which includes, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Suriname.

The US through Trump, is also in a hurry to get ahead of China, mobilizing in Taiwan, and while Russia is occupied with Ukraine.

Every single empire in history has collapsed. It’s a 100% failure rate, Anglo-America is no different. And as is the case with all empires when in their final collapse phase, they pursue war which is also usually preceded by economic collapse.

We’re in a pivotal time of history. An interregnum if you will. The important question many are asking is what comes next as Anglo-America will collapse....

Discussion thoughts, Anderson & Shawn