Government paid tribute Tuesday January 10th, 2006, to two prominent individuals in the field of ?Postal Services? for their contribution in the development of the service in Saint Lucia and the region. Stanley Niles, who recently retired as Regional Advisor to the Universal Postal Union UPU and retired Post Master General of Saint Lucia Loretta Charlemagne were honoured for their long service at a small ceremony at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Vigie.

Stanley Niles who has a career which spans decades, has served as Post Master General among several other capacities in his native Barbados. His last position of regional Advisor to the UPU brought him closer to life in Saint Lucia having been stationed here for the last 10 years.



"I would hope that the post is given the resources and the support it needs to ensure that it becomes competitive, because if it isn't , it will still become the dinosaur that we talk about - the service will develop around it and the private sector is already shaping to take as much of this as it can get,"said Mr. Niles.



Loretta Charlemagne will succeed Mr. Niles as Regional Advisor to the Universal Postal Union. Miss Charlemagne who worked with the Saint Lucia Postal Service for 36 years also served as Secretary General to the Caribbean Postal Union for several years.



"I will be looking at the reform of the modernization of postal infrastructures as well as the development of human resource capabilities to ensure our customers receive the best quality of service that they can afford to get,"Miss Charlemagne said.



In paying homage to the two postal service stalwarts Minister with responsibility for Postal Services Honourable Felix Finisterre reiterated government's commitment to ensuring the survival of the postal service in St. Lucia.



"We are taking our own path by way of looking at our postal reform, within the broader context of public sector service reform - it is taking some time but we know because of your assistance Mr. Niles we have the draft framework legislation and the laws are already in place for this to happen,"the minister said.



Stanley Niles who extended his assistance to the incoming Regional Advisor of the UPU was presented by Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony with a painting created by renowned overseas based St. Lucian painter Llewellyn Xavier.