Senate approves multi-million dollar projects
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Friday, June 19, 2009 – Four motions were presented by the Leader of Government business in the Senate Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Nicholas Frederick when members of the Upper House in the Parliament of Saint Lucia met on Tuesday June 16th 2009.
Senators gave authorization to Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hon. Stephenson King to borrow an amount equivalent to One million, Five Hundred Thousand Special Drawing Rights by way of a credit from the International Development Association to assist in financing the OECS E-Government for Regional Integration Project.
Dr. Nicholas Frederick says the project will present numerous opportunities for Saint Lucia and other OECS countries.
“E-Government will make data more accessible thereby removing the sting from demands for accountability. Another benefit will be the openness of data and procedures under the E-Government thereby reducing the opportunities for fraud and corruption,” said the Leader of Government Business in the Senate.
Saint Lucia, Dominica and Grenada have been selected to commence the pilot project of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States E-Government for Regional Integration Project.
Senators also gave authorization to the Minister responsible for Finance to borrow by means of advances, sums not exceeding twenty five million dollars from commercial banks, which sums shall be charged upon ad paid out of the Consolidated Funds.
Members of the Upper House also approved a motion to authorise the Minister for Finance Hon. Stephenson King to borrow US$12,000,000.00 from the Caribbean development Bank ((CDB)) for the purpose of financing the Basic Education Enhancement Project.
The Saint Lucia Development Bank Validation Bill was also read a second and third time before being approved by the Senate. |
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