Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (front row, third left), and Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (front row, third right) pose for the official photograph with the junior members of the new executive at King’s House on Friday.(Photo: Joseph Wellington)
PRIME Minister Dr Andrew Holness capped a busy week on Friday with the naming of his slate of junior ministers — 14 of whom were sworn in during a ceremony at King’s House in St Andrew.
Holness named 13 ministers of state, and a parliamentary secretary, who will serve alongside the 19-member Cabinet which he leads.
In naming his executive, Holness has given additional duties to all but five of the 35 Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidates who were successful in the September 3 General Election.
With Juliet Holness being named Speaker of the House and Heroy Clarke her deputy, the five Government Members of Parliament (MP) who have not been named to the executive are former energy minister James Robertson; Marlene Malahoo Forte, who was dropped as legal and constitutional affairs minister; MP for St Andrew North Western Duane Smith; MP for St Catherine South Western, Everald Warmington; and new kid on the block, Andrew Morris, who won the St Elizabeth North Western seat that was vacated by the veteran JC Hutchinson.
On Friday, Holness charged the junior ministers not to be passive or overly aggressive, as they learn from their seniors.
“Bring your own energy, your ideas, your grasp of new technologies, and your connection to the aspiration of the younger generation of Jamaicans. Renewal does not mean tearing down the old to build the new, it means grafting new vitality onto strong roots,” said Holness.
He told the junior ministers that their job is a vital one usually done outside the public glare.
“Your work will often be behind the scenes, chairing groups, pushing projects across the finish line, meeting with stakeholders, and resolving bottlenecks.
“The public may not always see you on the nightly news but they must be able to see your impact, your value in the improved performance of the Government,” added Holness.
According to Holness, the success of the junior ministers will depend on their diligence, discipline, and discretion.
He implored them to learn the machinery of Government, its laws, regulations, financial system, and oversight framework.
The prime minister warned the new members of his executive that despite their elevation to junior minister status they must participate even more intensely in parliamentary proceedings.
He told them that while guard rails exist, “We don’t want you to use them as obstacles. They’re guard rails yes, but I don’t want you to turn them into hurdles.
“I want you to become problem solvers and not trapped in red tape. I want you to become the spark, and not become part of bureaucratic inertia. Where there is delay, be the hand that drives execution forward”.
At the same time, Holness urged the appointees not to forget that they are the guardians of public trust.
“Every decision you make, every document you sign, every programme you launch must be guided by the highest standard of integrity. Do not be seduced by the trappings of office.
“Reputation is what endures so guard yours fiercely because it is the foundation upon which your leadership will be built,” warned Holness.
Additionally, Holness urged the lawmakers to stay close to their constituencies and to, “never lose touch with the realities of those you serve”.
The lone parliamentary secretary is Senator Marlon Morgan who is assigned to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.
His senate colleague, Abka Fitz-Henley, who served as parliamentary secretary in the last Holness Administration, has been promoted to minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Williams brothers — Delroy and Donovan — are in the ranks of junior ministers.
Donovan, who defended his Kingston Central seat which he first won in 2020, will work out of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Elder brother Delroy, the newly minted MP for Clarendon Central, is the minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.
Manchester Central MP Rhoda Crawford is also assigned to the education ministry, while MP for Trelawny Northern Tova Hamilton is assigned to the Ministry of Tourism.
New MP Delano Seiveright has been shifted to the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Kerensia Morrison is in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; while Krystal Lee is at the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Former House Speaker Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert has been placed in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Returning state ministers are Juliet Cuthbert Flynn in the Ministry of National Security and Peace; Alando Terrelonge in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Zavia Mayne in the Ministry Finance and the Public Service; and Franklin Witter in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.
Ministers of state who opted to swear, read the Oath of Office as they are sworn in at King’s House on Friday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness giving the charge to his junior ministers at Kings House on Friday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
