Ministers take new seats in Parliament

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

Dr Nigel Clarke today moved from the back benches in the House of Representatives and took his new seat to the right of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, extending a long tradition where finance ministers are positioned next to the Head of Government.

When Clarke entered the chambers of Parliament this afternoon he was greeted by his opposition counterpart Mark Golding as well as Peter Bunting who seemingly congratulated him on his appointment as finance minister.

At the same time, Clarke's predecessor Audley Shaw has been shifted to a seat once held by Dr Horace Chang, who now takes the seat previously occupied by Karl Samuda.

Samuda now sits in the seat reserved for the Leader of Government Business in the Lower House.

A studious and punctual Samuda took his seat early as he combed through documents to lead the business of the government.

When he rose to direct the business of the House he received a resounding applause from opposition members.

In addition to being the new House leader, Samuda has been shifted to take up the role of Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, leaving the post of Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

That position is now held by Shaw.

Shaw also received a warm welcome and quickly shook hands with the prime minister and then greeted his successor.

The new seating arrangement on the Government side took effect this afternoon in the wake of Prime Minister Holness' Cabinet reshuffle which was announced Monday afternoon.

New-look executive:

Dr Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service

Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Investment, Commerce and Agriculture
Previously, Minister of Finance and the Public Service

Karl Samuda, Minister Without Portfolio, Office of the Prime Minister
Previously, Minister of Industry, Investment, Commerce and Agriculture

Fayval Williams, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning
Previously, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Planning

Dr Horace Chang, Minister of National Security
Previously, Minister without Portfolio Office of the Prime Minister

Robert Montague, Minister of Transport and Mining
Previously, Minister of National Security 

Mike Henry, Minister Without Portfolio, Office of the Prime Minister
Previously, Minister of Transport and Mining

Pearnel Charles Jr, State Minister Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Previously, State Minister National Security

Ruddy Spencer, State Minister National Security
Previously, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Public Service

Alando Terrelonge, State Minister Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports

Zavia Mayne, State Minister Labour and Social Security

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