BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 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 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 will benefit seven years from now and onwards,” Mottley said.
Effective Monday, Marsha Caddle will replace Davidson Ishmael as the Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science, and Technology. Ishmael will take up the post of Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness after Dr Sonia Browne’s recent resignation.
Browne will chair the coordination of the government’s wellness programs and take up a position on the back benches of Parliament. At the same time, 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.
Prime Minister Mottley also announced adding the Barbados Water Authority to the Climate Resilience and Sustainability portfolio to align its governance and management procedures with the overarching climate resilience plan.
The Urban and Rural Development Commission and its successive bodies will now become the responsibility of Senior Minister William Duguid, who is in charge of the planning of capital projects. The Building Standards Authority will revert to the Ministry of Public Works to eliminate confusion.
Mottley also has diplomatic changes with broadcaster Vic Fernandes, replacing Noel Lynch as the Ambassador to the United States. At the same time, Lynch will coordinate the 2024 T20 World Cup, of which Barbados will host the final.
Broadcaster Dr. Sharon Marshall is now the new Ambassador to Cuba. At the same time, former Governor of the Central Bank, Clewiston Haynes, has been assigned the role of Ambassador of 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 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 help 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.
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