Stephenson King is new Chairman of OECS

As he takes the mantle of leadership as the new Chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Prime Minister Stephenson King of St. Lucia challenged leaders of contributing states within the union to address the issue of financing of the Organization.{{more}}

In his inaugural speech as Chairman of the OECS at the Peace Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening, where the opening session of the 53rd Meeting of the OECS Authority was being held, King said the issue is perhaps the “most vital and fundamental one that needs to be addressed.”

“I know that the recent recession has made it very difficult for some countries to meet their obligations, but I urge my colleague Heads of Governments to consistently meet our commitments to the Organization in a timely manner.

“We must finance the Organization once we have agreed that the budget has gone through the correct processes and we have given our final approval,” said King, as he challenged the leaders to meet their obligation.

Speaking of other challenges which confront the OECS at this time, King spoke at length about the issue of criminal activity in each member state. He said the region has seen unprecendented spikes in murders and other homicides.

King added that there have been more daring robberies and grand theft, including crimes against visitors.

He said underpinning these problems is the issue of drugs and narcotics trade. He said the issue is a cross border one and can only be curtailed by introducing cross border measures.

King said in the same way that the OECS is seeking to integrate and enlarge production and trading space, the relevant authorities should create a single police and legal space to effectively combat crime.

He called on the Heads of Government of the OECS to seize every opportunity to develop and promote the skills and capabilities of the people within the union. In this regard, he said the Heads of Government should pay particular attention to what they are called upon to do in the Economic Union Protocal of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, in Article 22: Education, and Article 23; Human and Social Development.

King said in the coming year, the OECS must bring to completion the project on free movement of the people of the OECS, so that one of the fundamental promises of the Economic Union can be realized.

He said other important work must include advancing the completion of the integration of the market within the OECS for the production of and trade of goods and services, by identifying and removing all the obstacles to such production and offer goods and services, whether these are instituional, administrative or legal.

King also touched on the issue of climate change. He said the region has been feeling the impact of weather changes that have been very costly. He appealed for the OECS to take a common and collective approach in addressing this area.

King said it is almost 30 years since the then leaders of the OECS made a developmental decision to establish the organization, which has positively shaped the future of the people of of the countries comprising the OECS.

“The fact that we are still here 30 years after is also an extraordinary achievement and testimony to our commitment to our integration movement,” said King.

King used the opportunity to laud outgoing Chair of the OECS, Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas of St.Kitts and Nevis, for his contribution in heading the organization for the past two years.

OECS Director General Len Ismael also came in for high praise from King for leading the staff at the OECS Secretariat astutely over the years.(HN)