Grenada PM Announces Major Cabinet Re-shuffle

By Linda Straker
CMC Grenada Correspondent

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 29, (CMC) – Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, has announced a third re-shuffle of his administration, saying he believes it is crucial that the New National Party (NNP) position itself for succession and success.

Mitchell, who led the NNP to a second 15-nil victory in the last general election, three and a half years ago, told the nation, in a radio and television broadcast on Tuesday night, that “some of our colleagues will be relieved of various other duties to help direct constituency organizational matters.

“In regards to MPs, each is, first and foremost, a parliamentary representative, who is called on, from time to time, to serve in the executive. The challenge has always been to find the right balance to satisfy both areas.

“Therefore, as with previous adjustments, changes must occur, with a view to enhancing both the work of the government and the constituencies which MPs represent, all at the same time,” Mitchell said, indicating that the changes in ministerial portfolios will take place, effective July 1.

He said Pamela Moses, a former secondary school principal, will now enter the Senate, replacing Senator Sheldon Scott, whom he said “has given three and a half years of dynamic service and has proven himself competent in the area of articulating government’s policy positions”.

Mitchell said that Scott will now be engaged, full time, with, and paid by, the ruling party in the areas of public relations and organization.

He told the country that Moses will also be appointed the Parliamentary Secretary with specific responsibility for Youth and Religious Affairs, in the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Religious Affairs, which will now be headed by Roland Bhola.

The new Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Yolande Bain Horsford, the former Tourism Minister, whom Mitchell said would be supported by another Minister and a Minister of State.

He said while Alvin Dabreo will continue as a Minister within that Ministry, with specific responsibility for Forestry and Fisheries, Simon Stiell will be the Minister of State with specific responsibility for the Environment and will also continue as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, with specific responsibility for Human Resource Development.

Prime Minister Mitchell said that the Minister of Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs, Emmalin Pierre, will now serve as one of three ministers in the Prime Minister’s Ministry as the Minister of Implementation.

He said that Alexandra Otway-Noel will now be the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Ministry with special responsibility for Waste Management and the Promotion of the Citizenship by Investment Program.

“Also, under my Ministry will be Minister of State, Senator Winston Garraway, who will be responsible for Disaster Management and Information.

Health and Social Security Minister, Nickolas Steele, will have additional responsibility for International Business, while the Minister for Economic Development, Trade, and Planning, Oliver Joseph, will now have the Ministry of Labour added to his portfolio.

Deputy Prime Minister, Elvin Nimrod, the Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Legal Affairs will also now be the Minister for Foreign Affairs, replacing Clarice Modeste-Curwen, who “is being asked to steer the ship as the new Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and Cooperatives, with specific responsibility for Tourism and Civil Aviation”.

Mitchell said that Senator Brenda Hood will continue as the Minister in that Ministry, with special responsibility for Culture and Cooperatives.

“With this reconfigured team, we look forward, expectantly, to this final period of this term, as we build on the achievements of the first three and a half years, and as we position our economy for a prolonged period of growth and opportunity for all,” Mitchell told the nation.