The OECS Authority has secured significant funding to construct a new headquarters building for the OECS Secretariat. Mandated by his colleague heads of government, Chairman of the OECS Authority, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit successfully negotiated a grant of approximately 40 million EC dollars from the Government of Venezuela, through the country’s President Hugo Chávez.

The Dominica Prime Minster revealed his successful mission in Caracas while he addressed staff at the OECS Secretariat during a recent visit: “The Heads of government of the OECS had given me a mandate as the chairman of the OECS because I had discussions with some governments about the construction of a new headquarters for the OECS.  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 U.nited States  dollars to go towards the construction of the new OECS Headquarters which will be based in St. Lucia.”

During his visit to the OECS Secretariat the Chairman of the OECS Authority also engaged the staff in face to face discussions and encouraged them to continue to give of their best.

Prime Minister Skerritt also noted his understanding of the current difficult working conditions at the OECS Secretariat headquarters following the extensive damage done to the building during the passage of Hurricane Dean in 2007. The building has since been undergoing extensive repair work. So far the roof has been replaced and focus has shifted to the internal structure.

Meanwhile plans for the new headquarters build­ing received attention at both the opening ceremo­ny and business sessions at the just concluded 46th meeting of the OECS Authority. St. 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 his country’s commitment to finding suitable lands for the building in the shortest possible time. The OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael as well as the OECS Chairman expressed strong appre­ciation to the Venezuelan government for the grant. The Director General also praised the efforts of the current chairman for his leadership in ensur­ing the successful mobilization of the funds.