Regional fast ferry service will be seriously examined – Skerritt

The issue of regional transportation was high on the agenda during last weekend’s meeting of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority.{{more}}

Newly installed chairman of the Authority, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt, speaking at a press conference following the 59th meeting of the Authority here in St Vincent and the Grenadines on July 26, said that the initiation of a regional fast ferry service will be seriously examined, and the sub-regional body will be reaching out to the private sector.

“Heads of Governments instructed that a study be done on the most energy-efficient and cost effective modality for fast ferry service, including consideration of the involvement of the private sector.

“Of course, transportation is a major challenge for us; we speak of LIAT and regional travel and the transportation of our produce between countries.”

Previous attempts to introduce a fast ferry service between the islands, as recent as 2009, failed to materialize.

Skerrit said that the Heads of Governments also discussed the recommendations stemming from the inaugural meeting of the Economic Affairs Council (EAC), inclusive of free movement of OECS citizens and free circulation of goods.

“The Authority concluded that there is a need for the work of the EAC to transcend beyond a narrowly institutional remit, and agreed to widen the mandate of the EAC to include active review of regional economies and trends, and engage the wider OECS public on such important regional matters.

“So again the EAC is a very important institution within the framework of the Union so we look forward to the excellent work.”

The leaders also agreed that the next sitting of the OECS Assembly will take place in October this year, and that the ECCU eight-point stabilization and growth programme will be the substantive item for debate.(JJ)