Ministers Chuck and Williams Sworn In

KINGSTON — Newly appointed Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, and Minister with responsibility for the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Arthur Williams, was sworn into office by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at King’s House.

The Governor-General commended the new Ministers on their appointment and encouraged them to “continue on a path of excellence for which you are already known."

“Everyone will be looking to you and to see how well you will carry out your responsibilities, but even while looking to you, we also need to give you that measure of support so that you can carry out the activities well. I wish you well and I hope that your contribution will redound to the betterment of Jamaica,” he said.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, welcomed the new Ministers, noting that “they both bring significant competences in the particular areas to which they have been assigned”.

He said Minister Chuck not only brings his vast experience as a practising attorney to the Cabinet, but prior to the change of administration in September of 2007, he was the Opposition Spokesperson on Justice.

He said that Minister Williams, while being reassigned to the Cabinet Office, will be reassuming duties he previously held at the Ministry of Finance.

The Prime Minister named new Cabinet Ministers last Tuesday June 28, with the members sworn in the following day June 29. Ministers Chuck and Williams were unable to take the oath of office at the time, as they were away on Government business.

Those, who have already been sworn in are: Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, Industry, Investment and Commerce; Hon. Robert Montague, Agriculture and Fisheries; and Hon. Clive Mullings, Minister of Energy and Mining.

The new Ministers of State were: Hon. Gregory Mair for Education; Hon. Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, National Security; and Hon. Othniel Lawrence, Transport and Works. 

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, will assume responsibility for Local Government, which was previously carried out by Minister Montague, in addition to her current duties.

Other changes include the transfer of responsibility for the public sector from the Ministry of Finance to the Cabinet Office, and the re-designation of the Ministry of Water and Housing as the Ministry of Housing, Environment and Water, headed by Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.

With the appointment to the Cabinet of Minister Chuck, the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives is expected to be filled by the Deputy Speaker, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert.

By ALECIA SMITH, JIS Reporter