Warren Cassell
Friday, January 10, 2014
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) pledges its support to the continued growth of job creation opportunities on Montserrat.
OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules gave the commitment to the new policy for increasing employment on the island by the newly elected Government of Premier Donaldson Romeo.
Speaking to local press and media Dr. Jules explained that it was customary, for the head of the OECS to exchange a range of views with a government on the performance of the OECS and how the sub regional grouping sees Montserrat’s engagement going forward.
He stated that one of the main discussion points was the status of Montserrat as a British Overseas Territory. “There was a big discussion on the issue of the exclusion of the non-independent territories from benefitting from a particular projects funded by some of the multi-laterals – their view being that if you’re not an independent country then Britain in that case would assume responsibility for your development agenda. The OECS has continually fought a battle against that form of exclusion and there are ways in which we can legitimately engage the Montserrat and the other non –independent territories in initiative being undertaken by the OECS. So we’re looking more closely at that and we’ve committed to working together to find ways of pushing the envelope on it.” He said.
Describing Dr. Jules’ visit as “timely”, The Honourable Premier, Donaldson Romeo described Dr. Jule’s visit as timely, and indicated that he was delighted to have met the OECS Director General at a critical time as his administration aims to forge a working relationship with the Director General and the OECS Commission.
Mr. Romeo who lead the PDM party to victory under the theme “Putting People First” says he is impressed that Dr. Jules shares one of his administration’s views that for the OECS to work, the people need to be involved fully.
The OECS Director General spent Monday on the island familiarizing himself with the two week old New People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) government following their landslide victory which resulted in them obtaining 7 of the 9 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
Dr. Didacus Jules also paid a courtesy call on His Excellency the Governor, the Opposition and other key members of Government.
