PM Mottley pays tribute to late businessman Everson Elcock

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has expressed sadness at the passing of businessman and pioneer in the field of electrical contracting, Everson Elcock.

Ms. Mottley said it was truly inspiring that when he took the decision to start his business, ERECO, it was in an era where black-owned enterprises, particularly in the electrical contracting field, were a rarity.

She notes that under his visionary leadership, it evolved into a prominent player in the electrical contracting domain, and played a role in several major development projects, including the Hilton Barbados and the Grantley Adams International Airport.

The Prime Minister believes Elcock’s life should be a shining example to all Barbadian people, showing that opportunity can only evolve into success with hard work and diligence.

Here is Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s full statement:

“It is with a sense of profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Everson Elcock, a visionary businessman, a pioneer in the field of electrical contracting, and a true son of the soil.

I say sadness and mean it in every sense of the word as Everson, his life and his work, has been an inspiration to me and so many of us who knew him and what he stood for.

From small beginnings in 1960, as an electrical contractor with two employees, focusing on installing television antenna and offering tools and equipment rentals, Everson demonstrated an incredible level of commitment, focus, determination and resilience to establish ERECO as the company it is today.

Under his visionary leadership, ERECO evolved into a prominent player in the electrical contracting domain, and played a role in several prominent development projects, including the Hilton Barbados and the Grantley Adams International Airport.

What is truly inspiring about Everson however, is that when he took that decision to start this business, he did so in an era where black-owned businesses, particularly in the electrical contracting field, were a rarity. And such was the measure of the man, that Everson stood out, not because of his race, but by the sheer quality of his work and the unparalleled service that he provided.

I believe that Everson’s life should be a shining example to all Barbadian people, showing that opportunity can only evolve into success with hard work and diligence. I pray that his legacy lives on not just in his business, but in the minds of all young black entrepreneurs.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend my most sincere condolences to his family, his wife Maureen, his sons Antonio and Adrian, his grandchildren Sanaa and Justin. I equally extend to his friends, employees of ERECO and all those whose lives he touched.

May his legacy continue to illuminate our path as we strive for excellence and progress in the years to come.”

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