Minister Martin: PetroCaribe Initiative must make a difference in the lives of the people

PetroCaribe meeting

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JUNE 20TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Energy, the Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin says the PetroCaribe Initiative must make a difference in the lives of the people of the Caribbean and Latin America.

“We of the Caribbean are particularly grateful with the coming into being of the PetroCaribe Agreement, as it came at a time when our economies were being seriously challenged and continue to be challenged given the instability in oil prices and the present global economic and financial environment,” said Dr. Martin who led the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation to the just concluded First Technical Meeting of PetroCaribe.

He told scores of delegates at the meeting in Maturin, Venezuela, that for many countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, the PetroCaribe initiative continues to provide a buffer to such a hostile global economic environment and the discussions have provided an opportunity to reflect on the journey which started some near six years ago.

Dr. Martin said he was moved by the presentation of the Haitian delegation which again illustrated the impact of the PetroCaribe Agreement “if we as a region work together.”

Pointing out that Haiti identified the way that the agreement is impacting the lives of the citizens in the areas of Health, Education and Infrastructure Development, Dr. Martin cautioned that in developing systems to provide benefits “we do not create a bureaucracy that hinders speedy deliverables.”

“The structures must be simple, user friendly and allow for timely and efficient implementation so what we can make a difference in the lives of our people. That to me must be an essential part of the PetroCaribe Agreement going forward,” said Dr. Martin, who is also Minister of Housing, Public Works and Utilities.