Opposition critical of Cabinet reshuffle

BRIDGETOWN, (CMC)

The main opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) says Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday has failed to “address the real problem of an incompetent, bloated and expensive Cabinet that continues to burden taxpayers”.

“Many Bajans are in disbelief that the prime minister has increased the Cabinet again with this reshuffle while they worry about how to feed their children today and get them ready for school on Monday. This is another pointless exercise of musical chairs that shows her utter disregard and disrespect for taxpayers’ money,” DLP Leader Dr. Ronnie Yearwood said in a statement.

Prime Minister Mottley, whose ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) controls all 30 seats in the Parliament, said that the reshuffle is as ‘a consequential matter that will affect all Barbadians.

“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,” Mottley said.

Effective today, 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, while former diplomat Chad Blackman will now be a minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment.

The new minister of state in the Ministry of Education is Sandra Husbands.

ADDING PORTFOLIO

Prime Minister Mottley also announced that she is adding the Barbados Water Authority to the climate resilience and sustainability portfolio 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 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 diplomatic changes with broadcaster Vic Fernandes, replacing Noel Lynch as the ambassador to the United States, while Lynch will head the coordination of the 2024 T20 World Cup, of which Barbados will host the final.

Broadcaster Dr. Sharon Marshall is now the new ambassador to Cuba, while former governor of the central bank, Cleviston Haynes, has been assigned the role of ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

In his statement, the DLP leader questioned the re-alignment of the portfolios including the “silent and absent minister of health, Jerome Walcott, who still seems to be very active in foreign affairs, despite not being the minister?

“His absence comes at a time when the QEH is in complete disarray and Barbados is now on a travel advisory for a dengue outbreak, during the height of our tourist season.”

He said the move to put Husbands in the Ministry of Education is “a questionable attempt to provide help to an inept minister”, noting that “every month the Ministry of Education and the minister is involved in controversy.

“Barbadians are tired of paying for incompetence and we must call the judgment of the prime minister into question. The bad cards that the prime minister has drawn with these incapable ministers, account for the impulsive decisions of this Cabinet reshuffle,” Yearwood said.