Dr. Wheatley to “Hit the Ground Running”; Ambassador Marks to Focus on SPEED
By: , September 18, 2025
Photo: JIS File
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (front, third right), and Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (front, third left), share a photo opportunity with the 18 Cabinet members who were sworn in during a ceremony held at King’s House on Wednesday (September 17).The Full Story
New Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, is ready to get to work in delivering the Government’s agenda.
Dr. Wheatley was among 18 Ministers who were sworn in by Governor- General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on Wednesday (September 17).
He returns to the Cabinet following his successful candidacy in the September 3 General Election.
Speaking with JIS News, he noted that Jamaica is at a critical phase of development, and as he returns to the Cabinet, he plans to “hit the ground running”.
“My approach is that once the work is to be done, let’s get out there and get the work done; simple as that,” he said.
Dr. Wheatley said his focus will be on improving how technology is used by the population.
“As it relates to technology, we are going to ensure that we move our people… from being mere consumers of technology to become innovators of technology,” he said.
“On the scientific front… I believe that we have to use scientific applications to ensure that we keep abreast of changing technologies. So, these are some of the areas that we will be pushing in this coming term,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks was reappointed Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation. She was first given the responsibility in March 2025.
Speaking with JIS News in an interview following the swearing-in ceremony, Ambassador Marks said she was happy about the reappointment.
She noted that there is much to be done, especially as it relates to the Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development (SPEED) programme.
“I think we can really implement SPEED… to bring Jamaica to a First-World standard in terms of how we do business and how we offer services,” she told JIS News.
“We can move things in a different way to bring more efficiency and productivity to our country, and I am happy to have been given the opportunity to do so,” she added.
Among other changes to the newly sworn-in Cabinet are the appointment of the Hon. Robert Montague as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development responsible for Land Titling and Settlements; and Hon. Matthew Samuda was appointed portfolio Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change.