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Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said that the recent reassignment of portfolios among his cabinet is a strategic move geared towards ensuring a smooth transition of leadership both in the political and administrative spheres in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Prime Minister made this disclosure during a press conference at Cabinet Room on Monday 13th November.

Prime Minister Gonsalves, on Friday November 10th, announced changes to some cabinet portfolios; the Finance portfolio has been reassigned to Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Economic Planning and Sustainable Development; Industry, Labour and Bureau of Standards were reassigned to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, Hon. Saboto Caesar; Information was reassigned to Minister of Education, Reconciliation and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Hon. St. Clair Prince and Postal Services to Minister of Transport, Works, Urban Development and Local Government, Senator Hon. Julian Francis.

At Monday’s Press conference, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that part of his responsibility as sitting leader is to ensure a proper and orderly transition, adding that as one of the four long serving leaders in SVG’s history, he wants to be the one to get it right when it comes to the transitioning of leadership. “It is arguable that Joshua didn't prepare a transition, neither within his party nor in the state administration. Milton Cato didn't significantly do that in my judgment and Sir James had it on his mind and spoke about it from time to time, but he probably thought he had more time than he actually had”,  Dr. Gonsalves said.

Prime Minister Gonsalves also outlined several appointments made earlier this year, which he said are all part of the transitioning process within the administrative sphere. He highlighted the appointments of several Permanent Secretaries, namely: Mr. Cuthbert Knights to the Ministry of Health in March; Ms. Nerissa Gittens-McMillan, to the Ministry of National Mobilisation in April; and Ms. Sandy Peters-Phillips, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March. The Prime Minister also highlighted the appointment of Mr. Mozart Carr, as Director of Foreign Policy and Research; Ms. Jinelle Adams, as Minister Counsellor to the High Commission in the United Kingdom; Mr. Edmond Jackson as Director General of Finance and Planning; Mr. Ken Morris as Budget Director, and the Hon. Jaundy Martin to the Office of Attorney General, as all strategic moves in the process of transitioning to a new generation of leaders in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

SOURCE: API