Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley Announces Cabinet Reshuffle and Ministerial Changes

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has announced changes to her Cabinet that will come into effect from this week.

Describing the reshuffle as ‘a consequential matter that will affect all Barbadians’, the Prime Minister said: “These changes require the full support of all to ensure that we make these changes for the benefit of this nation. Indeed, it is unlikely that my Government or the next Government will benefit from these changes but the Government seven years from now and onwards will benefit.”

Effective January 8, Marsha Caddle will replace Davidson Ishmael as the Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology. Ishmael will take up the post as Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness after Dr Sonia Browne’s recent resignation.

Browne will chair the coordination of Government’s wellness programmes as well as take up a position on the back benches of Parliament.

Former diplomat Chad Blackman will now be a Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment.

The Ministry of Education, which has been the subject of controversy in recent times, will receive the aid of Sandra Husbands who will hold the position of Minister of State.

There are also adjustments to Ministerial portfolios.

The Barbados Water Authority will join the Climate Resilience and Sustainability portfolio led by Mottley in order to align its governance and management procedures with the overarching climate resilience plan.

The Urban and Rural Development Commission, and its successive body, will now become the responsibility of the Senior Minister William Duguid who is in charge of the Planning of the Capital projects. In an attempt to eliminate confusion, the Building Standards Authority will revert to the Ministry of Public Works.

Mottley also revealed the appointment of two new senators. Blackman and Reverend Charles Morris replace Lorenzo Harewood and Shanika Roberts-Odle.

There were also Diplomatic changes incoming for 2024.

Broadcaster Vic Fernandes will replace Noel Lynch as the Ambassador to the United States of America, while Lynch will instead take lead on the coordination of the 2024 T20 World Cup, of which Barbados will host the final.

Sharon Marshall will become an Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba. Former Governor of the Central Bank, Cleviston Haynes, has been assigned the role of Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland.

Outgoing Senator Lorenzo Harewood will be a Consul General in New York and Senator Elizabeth Thompson will assume the responsibility of Sherpa. (JC)