St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has introduced the primary reshuffle of his cupboard since his Unity Labour Occasion (ULP) gained a historic fifth consecutive time period in workplace in November 2020.
Gonsalves revealed that former Minister of Public Service, Frederick Stephenson, has been appointed Minister of International Affairs, changing Keisal Peters, who made historical past because the nation’s first feminine Minister of International Affairs in August 2022.
Peters will now assume the function of Minister of Nationwide Mobilisation and Social Growth, which Gonsalves described because the “coronary heart and soul of the federal government.”
Earlier than the affect of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, Gonsalves had thought-about splitting the ministries of housing and nationwide mobilization as a result of ongoing housing points following the volcanic eruptions in April 2021.
“Dr. [Orando] Brewster will stay within the Ministry of Housing and Casual Human Settlements,” Gonsalves stated. Brewster, a first-term Central Leeward parliamentarian, will even tackle the sports activities portfolio beforehand held by Stephenson.
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“Senator Keisal Melissa Peters will focus her renewed vitality on the guts and soul of the federal government in Nationwide Mobilisation and Social Growth, together with all associated sub-issues inside that portfolio, in addition to postal providers,” Gonsalves acknowledged.
“There are various social security web points to be addressed as a result of persons are affected by this horrible catastrophe,” Gonsalves stated, referring to the July 1 Class 4 storm that devastated the Southern Grenadines, damaging or destroying 95 p.c of buildings.
“So she has her work lower out, and we’ve got determined to separate these ministries to make sure centered consideration and have put in place supporting administrative preparations,” Gonsalves added. Stephenson will now lead the Ministry of International Affairs and International Commerce, together with the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit.
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The prime minister additionally introduced that he’ll tackle the Public Service portfolio beforehand held by Stephenson.
Gonsalves acknowledged that the cupboard reshuffle will probably be printed within the official gazette.
Learn: St. Vincent and the Grenadines PM announces relief measures after Hurricane Beryl
