Premier O’Neal sends condolences to the Government of Barbados
Government Information Service - Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Tuesday, October 26- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE has extended condolences to the Government and people of Barbados following the passing of the late Prime Minister Mr. David Thompson.
In a letter sent yesterday addressed to the new Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Honourable Freundel Stuart, the Premier stated, “We were all very saddened to hear the news over the weekend. Barbados and the entire region have lost a bright star whose light was extinguished at the pinnacle of his political career.”
Speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations the Premier said, “The region has lost a man who believes in the region and who wanted to see this region become as developed as some of the more developed countries of the world. He believed in the islands and that the people of the islands have the ability, drive and determination to move forward.”
The Premier recalled meeting Prime Minister Thompson last May when the Territory hosted the 49th Meeting of the OECS Heads of Government Meeting. “He was very concerned about Immigration within the region and his contribution was helping to find a solution to the problems that would arise with free movement,” the Premier recalled.
Premier O’Neal in asking Prime Minister Stuart to also extend sympathy to Mrs. Thomspon and family wrote, “His wife Mara is known to some in the BVI community as she spent many holidays here with her aunt, former Attorney General Paula Beaubrun.”
The Premier added, “Many BVIslanders and resident lawyers knew Mr. Thompson from university so we here in the BVI also feel a personal loss at hearing of his passing.”
Honourable O’Neal concluded, “As an onlooker, he left a legacy of one who worked hard, worked for his people, and set a good example of keeping his country on the right track.”
On September 17, Premier O’Neal penned a letter to the late Barbadian Prime Minister when he learnt he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and extended prayers and well wishes to him and his family. The late Prime Minister died at his home in Barbados on October 23 at the age of 48 and will receive a state funeral on November 3.
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