Guyana hands over new residence to CARICOM Secretary-General

Guyana has handed over a new official residence to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, ending a decades-long reliance on rented accommodation.

President Irfaan Ali presented the keys to the property during a ceremony in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday, describing the gesture as a symbol of Guyana’s commitment to regional integration.

“Guyana is steadfast in its support of regional integration,” Ali said. He added that the residence would ease the Secretary-General’s commute and bring her closer to the Secretariat’s headquarters.

Dr. Barnett welcomed the handover, saying she and her family looked forward to living there. “It really is a pleasant place to live… I know my successors will enjoy living here also.”

She also announced plans to plant flowers and fruit trees on the property to represent each CARICOM member state.

The CARICOM flag was hoisted at the residence for the first time following the ceremony.

The last purpose-owned residence for a Secretary-General was Colgrain House, purchased in 1975. Since then, Dr. Barnett and her predecessor, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, had been housed in rented accommodation. (Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)