Minister Marks and State Minister Seiveright Sworn In

Newly appointed Senators, Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks and Hon. Delano Seiveright were on Monday (March 17) officially appointed Minister and State Minister, respectively.

They took the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance during a swearing in ceremony held at King’s House, which was presided over by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness had announced the Senators’ appointments on Sunday (March 16).

Senator Marks, who is Jamaica’s former Ambassador to the United States, has been appointed Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, while Senator Seiveright, who served as Senior Adviser in the Tourism Ministry, was named Minister of State in the Ministry.

Prime Minister Holness, in outlining the duties of the Senators, said that Senator Marks will have responsibility for reforming government bureaucracy through the Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development (SPEED) initiative.

She will also be charged with accelerating digital transformation.

Dr. Holness said an advisory team of public-sector stakeholders will be appointed for SPEED as Senator Marks “undertakes a comprehensive review of Jamaica’s governance arrangements, systems and processes, and implements targeted reforms that will eliminate inefficiencies, reduce bureaucratic delays, and enhance the ease, or rather the ‘speed’ of doing business”.

As it relates to digital transformation, the Prime Minister noted that Minister Marks has been a pioneer in the digital transformation space herself, having pioneered a business in this field.

“I know that she will bring the same innovative spirit and energy to drive the transformation of the Government,” Dr. Holness said.

He thanked Education Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris-Dixon, who previously held responsibility for digital transformation, for the achievements, thus far, including the implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) and the National Broadband Plan.

Meanwhile, Senator Seiveright has been tasked with the responsibility of making linkages between tourism and the local economy.

“Every Jamaican must feel the benefit of tourism,” the Prime Minister said.

“So whether it is in agriculture, through greater consumption of our agricultural output and greater security through long-term supply contracts, whether it is in housing by ensuring that we have housing for tourism workers, whether it is in healthcare by the development of health tourism, improvement of our hospitals in tourism areas, whether it is in education, in entertainment, whichever area it is, tourism can play a critical part in the development of those areas in our economy,” he outlined.

The Governor-General, in congratulating the Senators on their appointment, reminded them they are taking up the responsibilities at a crucial time in Jamaica.

He called for support for the Senators as they carry out their duties.

Senator Marks, who spoke on behalf of herself and Senator Seiveright, thanked the Prime Minister for the appointments and committed “to working tirelessly, going above and beyond, to ensure that our country accelerates its path to sustainable growth and prosperity”.