Cabinet Sworn in: Govt to Focus on Growth, Job Creation and Debt Reduction

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the newly installed Government has as its priority, the growth of the economy, creation of jobs and reduction of public debt.

He was addressing the swearing-in ceremony for Cabinet Ministers at King’s House today (March 7).

Prime Minister Holness expressed confidence that the individuals selected as Ministers are fully capable of achieving success in the priority areas.

“Ministers are expected to display very quickly, a grasp of the subject area, articulate solutions, as well as lead and inspire confidence. I am confident that the persons chosen will do all these things and more,” he said.

Mr. Holness noted that the structure of the Cabinet is an important signal of the direction, priority and underlying ethic and ethos of the Government, to the country, especially to investors and entrepreneurs.

“This is the first signal that we intend to be efficient and frugal in government…We are not only interested in changing government but we are committed to changing how government works. For us to accomplish this, it requires a mature political outlook and the building of public trust. Trust, that as a Government, we will be frugal with the public affairs and that this takes precedence over our own personal desire for status,” he said.

He explained that the Agriculture portfolio was combined with Industry and Commerce as a signal of the Government’s intent to accelerate and intensify the vertical integration of agriculture into commercial activity.

Mr. Holness informed that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) will pull together agencies from across the Government that are instrumental to growth and job creation.

“The benefit of the Ministry, aside from investment and growth promotion activity, will be the central coordination and logistical planning of the growth agenda, but more importantly, the political imprimatur of the Office of the Prime Minister on getting our projects approved and getting the growth agenda advanced and accelerated and implemented,” he said.

He also announced that the Government intends to build a stronger local government structure, as well as to improve its efficiency and business processes.

The Prime Minister also sought to remind the Cabinet Ministers to, at all times, conduct the affairs of the country with the highest level of integrity as corruption will not be tolerated.

The Cabinet comprises 18 Ministers as follows:

Mr. Holness has portfolio responsibility for Defence and Economic Growth and Job Creation; Minister of Finance and Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw; Minister of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture, Hon. Karl Samuda; Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck; Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Hon. Andrew Wheatley; Minister of Local Government, Hon. Desmond McKenzie; Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry; Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid; Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton; Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson; Minister of Entertainment, Sport, Culture and Gender, Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

Hon. Horace Chang, Hon. Derrick Smith, and Hon. Daryl Vaz, are Ministers without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM); while Hon. JC. Hutchinson, is Minister without Portfolio for Industry, Commerce and Agriculture.

Mrs. Marlene Malahoo Forte was also sworn in as Attorney General.

There are four State Ministers: Hon. Fayval Williams and Hon. Rudyard Spencer, Ministry of Finance and Public Service; Hon. Pearnel Charles Jnr., Ministry of National Security; and Hon. Floyd Green, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.