By Robert Andre Emmanuel
The Senate has bid farewell to its current Vice President, Osbert Frederick, as he prepares to assume the role of Speaker of the House, replacing retiring Sir Gerald Watt at the next sitting of Parliament.
Frederick, who has served in the Senate since 2014, took a moment during the proceedings to address his colleagues, marking what he believed might be his final sitting in the Upper Chamber.
He expressed his gratitude for the support he had received over the years.
“I came into this honourable House in 2014, and it has been an experience that I would not change for anything,” Frederick stated.
He particularly singled out the Senate President, Senator Alincia Williams-Grant, for her mentorship and leadership, crediting her with expanding his horizons and helping him become a better debater and person.
Looking to the future, Frederick expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to enhance parliament’s operations.
“I’m looking forward to continue to work with you,” he told the Senate President. “I know the great plans you have for the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, and I’m looking forward to us working together to make all those plans become reality.”
Frederick’s move to the Lower House comes as Sir Gerald, at 85 years old, announced his retirement as Speaker at the end of last week’s parliamentary session.
Sir Gerald, who has held the position since 2014, said he felt it was the right time to step down and allow a younger successor to take over.
Williams-Grant, while acknowledging Frederick’s impending departure, noted that parliamentarians should all strive to make the “institution that we serve, and the country that we serve, better placed to serve the people that have entrusted confidence in us”.
She also hinted at another forum where Frederick would continue his duties as Vice President until officially taking up his new position.
Meanwhile, Senator Samantha Marshall also gave brief remarks, congratulating Frederick on his new role, stating her hope that the full Senate would be given an opportunity to thank him for his service to the Upper Chamber.
