Grenada Prime Minister Pays Tribute To Son Of The Soil, Sir Alister Mcintrye

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 23, 2019 (CMC) – The Grenada government says the late Sir Alister McIntrye has left the entire Caribbean with a rich legacy, as it paid tribute to the son of the soil, who died, last weekend, in Jamaica, at the age of 87.

Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, in a statement, said that Sir Alister’s legacy is characterised by profound knowledge and unwavering commitment to regionalism.

“Grenada was his homeland and Jamaica was where he lived, but much of his life was spent in service to the people of the region,” Mitchell said.

As a lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Prime Minister added: “He helped to mold the minds of many brilliant persons, who have had the benefit of his teaching, some of whom have since earned acclaim in their respective countries and also at the regional level.  Later, as Vice Chancellor of UWI, he contributed to shaping the strategic direction of this noble regional institution.”

Mitchell observed that Sir Alister, who also served as Secretary General of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, could also be “considered one of the pioneers, who shaped the infrastructure, on which we have built our efforts at regional integration”.

Prime Minster Mitchell also praised Sir Alister’s role in the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, pointing out that the “early successes of that body, in negotiations with the World Trade Organisation and the European Union, spoke volumes of the technical capacity of individuals, like Sir Alister”.

“I recall too, the deep anguish, he expressed in 2005, when he informed me that he could not continue to serve as Chairman of the Agency for Reconstruction and Development, which was established in the wake of the destruction, caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Before medical issues precluded him from continued service in that capacity, Sir Alister would have laid the essential foundation needed to ensure close collaboration, among all stakeholders, involved in the reconstruction process.”

He said apart from his academic and international achievements, Sir Alister also left an imprint of his valuable contribution to the sport of cricket.

“During a period of crisis in our beloved sport, he was among distinguished persons, given a mandate to examine the structure of West Indies cricket. Having had the opportunity to review that report, I was compelled to commend the panel for coming up with recommendations which, I believe, provided a pathway to the improvements, we so desperately sought, to regain the supremacy that once came, so effortlessly.

“In so many capacities, Sir Alister provided irrefutable proof that he was the epitome of a Caribbean man, one who was a genuine proponent of national and regional developments that sought to improve the stature of the Caribbean,” Mitchell expressed.

Mitchell said the region owes a debt of gratitude to Sir Alister, and bestowing him with the Order of the Caribbean Community demonstrated this gratitude.

“Sir Alister, we continue to be proud of the man you were and the service you gave. In parting therefore, I not only bid you farewell, but I also reiterate how thankful we are, as Grenadians and as Caribbean nationals, for the valuable contributions you made. You have indeed left an indelible mark on some of our pre-eminent regional institutions,” Mitchell said.

No date has been announced for the funeral of Sir Alister, who is survived by his wife, Marjorie; and children, Arnold, Andrew, Helga and Nicholas.