The Chairperson of SADC and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Paul Berenger, has called for implementation of the numerous protocols already ratified, and speedy action to cap the restructuring of the Secretariat.

Berenger said this during his first visit to the SADC Secretariat in Botswana.

He said he had decided to visit early in his tenure “to get an in-depth insight into the issues that should be tackled during the remaining months of my chairmanship.”

He said the issues include finalization of the restructuring process, the recruitment of permanent staff, and construction of the new SADC headquarters on a plot of land provided by the Botswana government in Gaborone.

“It is also my wish to see the numerous Protocols we have signed being fully implemented by drawing out concrete programmes designed to build our Community.

“Our two major development plans, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO) should enter the implementation phase,” he said.

The Mauritian prime minister also held consultations on bilateral and regional issues with President Festus Mogae, who is the deputy chairperson of SADC, after which he toured the site of the new SADC headquarters. Construction on the site is expected to start before the end of next year.

“I received a thorough briefing from the Executive Secretary concerning the recruitment of directors and some heads of units who will spearhead the recruitment of permanent staff once on board. I have been informed that the process of appointing them is near completion.

He also discussed the forthcoming SADC Consultative Conference, which is a platform for interactive dialogue with SADC development partners, expected to be held 25-27 April 2005 in Mauritius under the theme, “Partnership for the Implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan”

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