Admin building a ‘One Stop Shop’ – Snagg

Described as a ‘one stop shop’ by the Director of Grenadines Affairs Edwin Snagg, the newly opened Canouan Administrative Building is said to be unique.{{more}}

Located at Grand Bay, the building, which is home to the Customs, Port Authority, Immigration, Post Office, and Revenue departments, as well as a Magistrates’ Court, was officially opened last Friday, October 7, eleven months after its construction was completed.

The two-level building also includes private living quarters for the magistrate, revenue, and immigration officers, and was constructed by Canouan-based firm CCA, under contract by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at a cost of E.C $5.9 million.

General Manager of CCA Elena Korach, speaking at last Friday’s official opening, said that her company set out to construct a building which reflected Caribbean style, was user-friendly, complemented the area and offered a warm atmosphere, while maintaining the formality required for its purpose.

She said that her company was proud to have been involved in the building’s construction, and thanked the government for its confidence in CCA, in its quest for improvement in the lives of the people of Canouan and by extension St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Snagg, during his address, pointed out that prior to the construction of the building, administrative services were delivered at various locations around the island, including on nearby Union Island.

He said that he was pleased to see all these services being provided from one location, and that the building, along with other areas of development on the island were welcomed.

“You will admit that what is happening in Canouan is phenomenal and it has not happened in any other constituency or place in mainland St. Vincent.

I am happy to have so many things happen in Canouan under my watch.”

Also thankful for the opening of the building was area representative Terrence Ollivierre, who said that it was an important day for the island.

“Undoubtedly, the completion and effective operation of this building should ultimately lead to improvement of several services provided to the people of Canouan and the people who visit this island.

As Parliamentary representative, on behalf of the people of Canouan, I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who have provided such an improvement: the Government and the CRD.”

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, adding his praise, also indicated that through the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Accountant General, the revenue office in Canouan and the Treasury Department on mainland St. Vincent will be in sync, and would speed up the processing of claims and payments on the island.

“There is no other single facility in the whole of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that offers these types and level of services at one single place.

Canouan is going to be unique in that regard.”

The Prime Minister also indicated that the construction of a Coast Guard base at Charles Bay, as well as the rebuilding the main jetty on the island will begin in the not too distant future.(JJ)