Term Limits for OECS Officials?

Above: the Antiguan Parliament

Antiguan Sen. Joanne Massiah told her country’s Upper House this week that term limits should be compulsory for those appointed to head the OECS and other regional institutions.

The senator, who is a member of the United Progressive Party, said the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, which establishes the OECS economic union, provides for the OECS Director General to be appointed for renewable four-year terms.

But she said that just as elected politicians have term limits, so, too should the heads of regional agencies.

“A person conceivably get this job and die in the job,” she said. “I think we have to have succession planning, not only for governments and political parties, but for our regional institutions.”

Massiah said that regional agencies should mirror the actions of domestic governments.

“Even if you are eligible for reappointment 10 years after you vacate the post or whatever, I believe if we are seeking to do it for parliamentarians, it should be reflected in our other community organisations, and the organs of these organisations,” she said.

Sen. Dr Errol Cort, leader of government business in Antigua’s senate, supported the proposition, noting that the law does not state how long a person may serve at the top level.

“It’s good to bring in fresh blood, new ideas, persons who are coming in from a different era, a different generation,” he said. “You need a fresh look at how to deal with those issues.”

Antigua’s House passed the Revised Basseterre Treaty last month.