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Ministerial Portfolios Assigned; Premier Justifies Creating New Ministry For Lorna Smith

by pltm
Apr 29, 2023
6

(PLTM) - Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley has assigned ministerial responsibilities to Ministers to constitute the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands.

Following the swearing in ceremony of the Premier and Ministers of Government that took place on Tuesday, April 25, Ministries have been assigned by Governor John Rankin.

Premier Wheatley has retained the Ministry of Finance with many other areas falling under him including Immigration and the Environment.

Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith is the Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, which is a newly formed portfolio; Hon. Kye Rymer returns as the Minister of Communications and Works; Hon. Sharie de Castro remains the Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports; Hon. Vincent Wheatley is the Minister for Health and Social Development; Hon. Luce Hodge Smith is the Junior Minister in the area of Culture and Tourism; and Hon. Karl Dawson is the Junior Minister in the area of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Government stated that, the newly appointed Ministers are also responsible for the administration of the departments within their respective Ministries.

Premier Wheatley indicated that the development of the Financial Services, Labour and Trade Ministry is in alignment with the strategic position that the Government of the Virgin Islands has taken to fully harness the economic potential of the Virgin Islands.

“As a Territory, we have engaged in a series of serious discussions about creating a new Ministry that focuses more keenly on one of the two main pillars of our economy," he said.

Adding, "Since Honourable Lorna Smith has such a wealth of experience and is going to bring to bear her expertise in this area in a more direct way, we as a Government have determined that now is the opportune time to take this important step in the formation of this new Ministry.”

The VIP won six seats at the polls on Monday April 24 however, with the National Democratic Party's Hon. Lorna Smith jumping ship to join the VIP, the part was able to form a government on Tuesday April 25.

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Reader Opinion

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Don\'t be vex u r a minister. \nSometimes you have to give to get.

Hmm

No focus on Tourism! Don’t talk about any Jr Minister because we all know they have no legal power. The air Ministers are a waste odd time until you give them legislative authority and actual ministries with Permanent Secretaries and staff. Disappointing as it relates to Tourism!

East Youth

I am so proud of our new government. I ask them to do their best to make BVI the best.

Huh

What is the Minister for Financial Services? Is there such a thing? Isn\'t the Financial Services successful because it is self governed and not run into the ground by Government Ministers? This unconventional Government is serious? And then you join to that Labour and Trade? Well, we can see certain siblings\' hands all over this one. Them and friends Whiteys are going to be sitting pretty. \n\nAnd all of a sudden Hon. Natalio Wheatley is bionic? He must have more energy than he had last go around. Well we love them and wish them all the best as they are our people, We just have to remember God sits high and looks low and we are praying people. Let\'s get on our knees.

Great move

Good job assigning portfolios and creating a new Ministerial portfolio that includes financial services, Trade and Labour. Long overdue. Fantastic way to use Lorna\'s skills.

What I think DM.

I think Vincent would have made a good Agriculture Minister, Lou would have made a good health Minister and Dawson would have made a good tourism Minister.. .I am just fitting Personalities with positions..But, it is what it is and I wish them well and hope they know that the public is watching closely...

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