President David Granger has announced new Ministerial appointments and the reassignment of some of his junior Ministers.
In an Address to the Nation, the President announced that Hemraj Ramkumar of the AFC will be the new Minister of Business. He takes up the position that was held by Dominic Gaskin.
In addition, Public Affairs Minister, Mrs Dawn Hastings-Williams has been elevated and will now serve as the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency.
The President also announced that the WPA’s Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, will become the new Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency.
In addition, Minister Annette Ferguson will now move from Public Infrastructure and take over the portfolio as Minister in the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes will now be shifted over to the President’s Ministry as the Minister with responsibility for Youth Affairs.
And embattled Minister responsible for Housing, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, will move on from that Department to the Agriculture Ministry where she will now serve as the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs.
In his address to the nation, President Granger also thanked his four former Ministers, Carl Greenidge, Dominic Gaskin, Joseph Harmon and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine for their service as Ministers.
He said their resignations take effect from today and is in keeping with the ruling by the Chief Justice and the Court of Appeal on the ineligibility of dual citizens serving as Members of Parliament.
“I thank these Ministers for their stewardship as members of my Cabinet and of the National Assembly since May 2015. Their sterling public service has been to our nation’s benefit. The resignations of these Ministers have created vacancies in the Cabinet and the National Assembly. It is necessary, in the circumstances, for their ministerial responsibilities to be reassigned and for the transfer of some junior ministers”, the President said.
President Granger noted that the appointments and reassignments will ensure the Government’s continued commitment to serve the people and the nation.
When the National Assembly meets tomorrow, four new Members of Parliament will be sworn in for the Government.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login