The motion for Gumbs’ election was moved by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas and seconded by Leader of the Opposition of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Arnhim Eustace.
At present, Mr. Gumbs also serves as the Ombudsman of his home country and is a former Speaker of the national Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis, from 1996 to 2004. He has also had a strong background as a trade unionist.
Elected, un-opposed, as the First Speaker of the OECS Assembly was Rene Baptiste. Baptiste has served in elected politics as a Minister of Government in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
The OECS Assembly convened its inaugural sitting on Friday afternoon at the Parliament Chamber in Antigua and Barbuda.
The OECS Assembly was launched in Antigua & Barbuda on Friday 10th August, 2012, sitting and headquartered in the National Assembly Chambers of that territory’s parliament.
During Friday’s ceremony, addresses were made by various government dignitaries, including Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and Baldwin Spencer of Antigua.