– Outgoing Ambassador says this is fulfilment of promise by President Ali
The Government of Guyana will be constructing an official residence for the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) – a move which outgoing SG, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, said is reflective of the country’s commitment to the regional bloc.
Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips and Ambassador LaRocque participated in the simple sod-turning ceremony for the construction of the official residence of Caricom SG at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips and outgoing Caricom SG Ambassador Irwin LaRocque turning the sod for the construction of an official residence for the Caricom Secretary General on Friday
Speaking briefly with reports after turning the sod on Friday, PM Phillips said that Government will be undertaking the project. He noted that while the details of the project are still being ironed out, the land was identified and Government thought it fit to have the sod-turning ceremony immediately.
“It is our intension to have the building to house the Secretary General constructed as early as possible. So what will happen now is the clearing of lands …we’re still in the design stage, where the architects will do their work and costing will be done, in consultation with the Caricom Secretariat and the Secretary General,” the Prime Minister explained.
This project was a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to Ambassador LaRocque shortly after taking office in August 2020.
The outgoing Caricom SG told Guyana Times that the Guyanese leader committed to have this done and now the sod has been turned for construction to commence.
“He and I have been in discussions on various issues, and he has made a commitment to ensure that the Community and the Secretariat are appropriately supported to ensure its continuity of the integration arrangements and the appreciation for what Caricom is doing and has done for Guyana,” the Caricom Head stated.
He went on to note that there had always been a need for an official residence for the Secretary -General and having recognised this, it was brought to the attention of President Ali.
According to Ambassador LaRocque, who is wrapping up his decade-long two-term tenure before handing over the reins to his successor, Dr Carla Natalie Barnett, in the new week, Friday’s sod-turning ceremony was very significant for the Secretariat.
“I think it demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Guyana to Caricom. You have to remember that this is the seat of the Headquarters of the Community and in very much the same way that the United Nations building has a meaning, it’s not just a building – the [Caricom] Secretariat has a meaning and here will have a meaning as the official residence of the Secretary General and it gives me great, great honour to turn the sod at least,” the outgoing SG posited.
Guyana has been home to the Caricom Secretariat since February 2005. The road towards the construction of the permanent Headquarters for the regional bloc was paved in February 1998 when five Heads of Government of the Community and the then Caricom Secretary General turned the sod. Construction started in 2002.
