New Ministers Sworn In

KINGSTON — Five of the new Ministers and Ministers of State were sworn in by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at Kings House on Wednesday June 29.

The new Cabinet changes were announced on Tuesday June 28 by Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, and will take effect on Friday, July 1.

The Governor-General said that the Prime Minister reshuffled his Cabinet to ensure optimal performance in responding to the needs of the nation. He also noted that the process is not unusual in Government as, from time to time, leaders seek to ensure that the “man and the moment have met."

He urged the Ministers to take their responsibilities serious enough, to be diligent and thorough in discharging them.

“In accepting this appointment, you are indicating your willingness to commit yourselves to service, and to assist the Prime Minister in the realisation of the policy and programme objectives of the Government,” he said.

He stated that the nation anxiously awaited them “stepping into action” and demonstrating whether they are worthy of the Prime Minister’s confidence, and what the nation expects of them. He also noted that the newly appointed Ministers have limited time to achieve results, and convince everyone “that you know the times and you know what must be done for Jamaica."

Prime Minister Golding also congratulated the new Ministers and Ministers of State on their appointment.

“They have been appointed based on my own assessment and observations of them. Some of them have served as Ministers of State, and they have been asked to serve in the Cabinet, based on an evaluation of their own performance as Ministers of State and the value that, I am confident, they will bring to the work of the Cabinet,” he said.

Mr. Golding also took note of the departure from the Cabinet of two members, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne.

“They have both served diligently, and I want to express to them my appreciation for the service they have given to the Cabinet,” he said.

The new Ministers sworn in Wednesday were: Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, theHon. Christopher Tufton; Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague: and Minister of Energy and  Mining, Hon. Clive Mullings.

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

Delroy Chuck, who will take charge of the Ministry of Justice and Senator Arthur Williams, who will have responsibility for the Public Service as a Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Officer, were not sworn as they were away on Government business.

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 Mr. 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 Dr. the Hon. Horace Chang.

With the appointment to the Cabinet of the Hon. Delroy Chuck, the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives is expected to be filled by the Deputy Speaker, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, M.P. for Southern Trelawny.

By LATONYA LINTON, JIS Reporter