Zazeannah Walker 
Barbados is expected to see one of the largest construction booms in its history during the new Parliamentary Term.
President Her Excellency the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, made the point as she delivered her Presidential Address during the opening of the First Session of Parliament.
Dame Sandra says the building boom will see government spending more than a hundred million dollars on flood mitigation, sewerage systems, solar panels for all government buildings, road rehabilitation and training programmes for nationals.
Dame Sandra says to facilitate this, government will embark on a Construction Gateway Programme inclusive of rapid training for construction workers.
As Parliament recommences, Dame Sandra announced plans to enact paternity leave legislation, abolish the Eleven Plus Exam in favour of Middle Schools and Schools of Excellence and reintroduce the Integrity in Public Life Bill.
According to Her Excellency, government intends to create a Green Energy Park at Vaucluse, St Thomas, new Community Tourism Villages across the island and construct 10 thousand houses.
There will also be sweeping reforms of the criminal justice system, and efforts to simultaneously combat crime at the community level.
admin 
