Minister Smith Receives Warm Welcome at Airport

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, Minister of Information, Culture Youth, and Sports, Olivia Grange, other Government representatives and scores of well-wishers welcomed Minister with responsibility for Mining and Telecommunications, Derrick Smith back to the island, upon his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) yesterday (July 6).
Mr. Smith was returning to the island from the United States, where he was over the past month, receiving medical treatment. Speaking with JIS News the Minister expressed delight and appreciation to the numerous supporters who had ventured to the airport to welcome him home.
“I am very happy and humbled by this level of welcome which I have received,” he said, noting that he was thankful and delighted to be back in the island.
Mr. Smith also pointed out that he was feeling well and that he was grateful to be back in Jamaica.
In his remarks, Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie, reiterated the sentiments of pleasure that were expressed by the well-wishers present at the airport. “I am very happy that Minister Smith is back in the island,” he said.
Minister Smith departed the airport to the resounding sounds of ‘he’s a jolly good fellow.’
Also present to welcome the Minister were: Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda; Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, among others.