OECS Secretariat Secures Funding For New Headquarters
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Contact: Chris Satney
Friday, 25 January 2008 – The OECS Authority has secured significant funding to construct a new headquarters building for the OECS Secretariat.
Chairman of the OECS Authority and Prime Minister Dominica’s Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, with the support of other OECS Heads, successfully negotiated a grant of approximately 40 million EC dollars from the Government of Venezuela, through the country’s President Hugo Chávez for the purpose of constructing the New Quarters.
The Dominica Prime Minster revealed his successful mission in Caracas when he addressed staff at the OECS Secretariat during a recent visit.
“The Heads gave me that mandate to engage friendly governments and organisations with a view to raising the required money to build a new headquarters for the OECS. I am extremely pleased to report that through my efforts I have been able to raise some 15 million United States dollars to go towards the construction of the new OECS Headquarters which will be based in St. Lucia,” the OECS Chairman said.
During his visit to the OECS Secretariat Prime Minister Skerrit also engaged the staff in face-to-face discussions and encouraged them to continue to give of their best.
The present OECS Secretariat Headquarters on the Morne received extensive damage during the passage of Hurricane Dean in 2007. Prime Minister Skerrit noted his understanding of the current difficult working conditions at the OECS Secretariat headquarters, brought on by the storm’s passage.
The building has undergone extensive repair work. So far the roof has been replaced and focus has shifted to the internal structure. Plans for the new headquarters building received attention by Heads at both the opening ceremony and business sessions at the just concluded 46th meeting of the OECS Authority.
Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Mr. Stephenson King, in his remarks to the opening ceremony, welcomed the financial support from the Government of Venezuela and pledged Saint Lucia’s commitment to finding suitable lands for the building in the shortest possible time.
The OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael has also praised the efforts of the current chairman for his leadership in ensuring the successful mobilization of the funds. |
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