With the opening of a new $5.5 million dollar facility in the town of Calliaqua, the staff of the House of Assembly has a new and comfortable space to conduct the nation’s business.
The facility was officially opened on Thursday, July 06 and replaces the historic 200-year-old Parliament building in Kingstown, which is now in a deplorable condition.
Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Rochelle Forde said it is a significant moment in the parliamentary growth and development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“This building, though a temporary home for the parliament, is outfitted with modern amenities which will lend for a more conducive environment in which the parliamentarians and staff can conduct their work”, she said.
The Speaker thanked the Government and People of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for making the funding available for the project. “We are indeed thankful for your continued friendship and support in assisting the people of SVG. This time with this much needed facility”, she expressed.
Forde noted that as the construction phase progressed, herself and other members of the House of Assembly interacted more and more with the professionals who command the technical knowledge from the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Transport and Works.
“These are all young Vincentian professionals and I feel personal pride in their work which is matched by confidence that our nation’s future is guaranteed with bountiful assurance of prosperity, given the dedication and assurance and professionalism that I have witnessed demonstrated by these young professionals,” she said.
At present, the House of Assembly consists of a total of twenty-three members. These include fifteen elected members (representatives), six senators, the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House of the Assembly.