Dominica is ready – PM on OECS political union

PM Skerrit signing the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS economic union
PM Skerrit signing the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS economic union in 2010

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said Dominica is ready to support and implement the idea of a political union for OECS member states.

“In Dominica’s case we support full-heartedly a political union and we are prepared to sign the MOU at the earliest convenient date,” he said during the first Sitting of the OECS Assembly in Antigua on Tuesday.

The idea of political union was first floated last year by Antigua’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who argued that the ultimate objective is to integrate the OECS politically.

He was at the time contributing to debate in Antigua’s Parliament on the OECS Economic Union Act, 2011.

“I eventually see, Madame Speaker, that if this thing works in the way we are anticipating, that it’s not just a question of us collaborating and working more on the economic front, but inherent in this is the ultimate goal of integrating the OECS politically as well. That is the ultimate goal!” he said back then.

PM Skerrit said if the OECS is to bring a better way of life for its citizens, to address the issues of poverty and unemployment, “we believe that we have to address issues from a political standpoint.”

He however cautioned that more must be done in respect to the economic union of the OECS.

“We have to make sure that we makes some more progress in respect to the economic union before we go to the political union,” the prime minister said.

The OECS was created in 1981 when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other and promote unity and solidarity among the Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed.

The Treaty was revised in 2010 in St. Lucia establishing the OECS economic union.

Today the OECS consists of nine members namely; Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

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24 Comments

  1. budman
    March 28, 2013

    i am for all types of unions instead of political union.

  2. dominican born briti
    March 28, 2013

    when r we getting an international airport.

  3. Jupe
    March 27, 2013

    PM Skerrit said..“In Dominica’s case we support full-heartedly a political union and we are prepared to sign the MOU at the earliest convenient date”.

    Who is we ??. Was there any public consultation ?. Were there any referendums ?. Who is we ??. Is he taking that decision upon himself ?

    While I support the government in a lot of initiatives, I think this is the straw that would break the carmel’s back.

    • Just Me
      March 28, 2013

      You got that right, bro. Public consultation and referandum are essential for formal political union.

  4. silver sliver
    March 27, 2013

    I am all for greater unity, cooperation, freedom of movement of OECS nationals, security programmes etc, but I am against political union. We need to carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages both reigionaly and internationally of this idea to our national and collective interests. We must also question the motives of the forces, especially the external forces, that have been trying to “push” this for years, not because it would be of benefit to us, but due to their selfish individual interests!

  5. WHO VEX VEX
    March 27, 2013

    UNION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    That is just a step closer to the NWO and a WORLD GOVERNMENT

  6. Doc Love
    March 27, 2013

    Skerrit can ask for as many political unions he wants, he can never become a leader in that union. The man is carrying to much baggage. The Caribbean people will never forget the alledged land deal, the alledged garbage bin boorball,the alledged ownership of the Villas, the alledged Layou River Hotel failure,the alledged French Passport fiasco, the none of your business,go to hell statement and finally the alledged revenge on the opposition political party.

    • Peeping Tom
      March 27, 2013

      “Alleged”. And so, until you or your heroes can move from “alleged” to factual, your screams are just that…hollow noises that only you can hear.

      • Nac Vibes
        March 27, 2013

        Irritates you doesn’t it, every time the corrupt practices are mentioned. Oh how I bet you wish they would just go away.
        You can hide behind this call for facts, but throughout history, innocent men still go to Jail. So much for facts.

      • Doc Love
        March 28, 2013

        The word ALLEDGED was used because that is the only way DNO would print my comments. You live in Dominica,you are aware of the truth.In fact you too,have commented on the very”allegations” I wrote about.

  7. March 27, 2013

    Dominica politicians are always ready to jump onboard good or bad…
    And so from Caricom to OECS…Good luck..

  8. stehen
    March 27, 2013

    sorry it will never come true. our carribbean people cannot be object in a game of criket DOMINICA had in the past excellent player like IRVINE SHILLINGFORD .did he get very far? the more influential ialand will always take a bigger slice of the cake

  9. MOTS
    March 27, 2013

    hhhmmmmmm i guess we could go to Tortola and work and make the U.S dollars without having to go to U.S.A lol…. bring it on

  10. Morihei Ueshiba
    March 27, 2013

    Skerro want to be PM of the OECS, u think St.kitts and St.Lucia like Dominica just read how they standing up against Govt. 8)

  11. ????
    March 27, 2013

    I cannot pay more taxes.

    A OECS Federal Tax

    a Local Country Tax

    A Village or Urban Council Tax

    Then a sales tax or VAT

    I will never be better of in my life with all these taxes.

  12. Rastar-Marn
    March 27, 2013

    Could we please read the Memorandum of Understanding before you sign parnder???

  13. Malgraysa
    March 27, 2013

    And who would be the head of such a political union? Do you really see any of the OECS leaders give up their status privileges for someone from a different island? Do you really see, for instance a Ralph Gonsalves cowtowing to Roosevelt Skerrit or the latter playing second fiddle to someone from St. Kitts? Yes, I do want union but history and experience tell me that the Caribbean will freeze over before that happens. Malgraysa.

  14. TRUEMAN
    March 27, 2013

    ***NOT SO FAST***

    “Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said Dominica is ready to support and implement the idea of a political union for OECS member states”.

    “He however cautioned that more must be done in respect to the economic union of the OECS”.

    Mr. PM we are really not ready as you yourself noted & indicated.

    We should not be signing anything of such until we the people are given an opportunity to be informed about the ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES of such a union!!

    -Thanks!!

    • Peeping Tom
      March 27, 2013

      How many more years do you want? This topic has been out there being debated at all levels for years now.

      • Nac Vibes
        March 27, 2013

        If it has been debated for so long, then why not ask the people if they want it.You people are only interested in dictating and not governing.

      • Malatete
        March 28, 2013

        Tom, have you forgotten Federation? How long ago was that Tom? Certainly before Skerrit was born. Meanwhile the EU, with its multidue of languages and jurisdictions has overtaken us in many “unitisation” ways, yet its individual member states remain exactly that, member states despite the excistence of a European Parliament. I would applaud Skerrit more if he could achieve at least that, some form of federation after all these years rather than this pie-in-the sky approach.

    • Bushmaninda
      March 27, 2013

      Of course, there must be the proper ventilation of the matter among the people whose lives will be affected. The question is, are the social institutions willing or able to instigate and develop the civic discourse on the matter

  15. Frenz
    March 27, 2013

    Stupes sties stupes. Just another reason foroliticians to travel and have fun on our tax dollars. Every year s the same talk talk talk. While they talk about union ad unity we are going down the pit of misery, poverty and corruption.
    I often wonder why it is that people make politicians part of their heart and soul wen these suckers are lying ,stealing and killing and still able to remain in high esteem among eople wh call themselves god fearing.
    The way I see it politicians are gods to even the Religous leaders. The reason for this is because of that thing called the dollar. Politicians steal the dollar so that all can bow and worship he who bring the dollar.

  16. Jimi Hendrix
    March 27, 2013

    Political union of the OECS will never become a reality. Our politicians are too inward looking and egotictical. They will never devolve power.

    Also can you imagine a Dominican being the prime minister of Antigua or St. Lucia or vice versa? This is not going to happen. We can get close, but the ultimate goal will not be attained.

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