As of Friday, two Cabinet Ministers in the ruling New National Party Government will be stepping aside.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell informed the nation in a national address late Wednesday that Senator Brenda Hood and Minister Roland Bhola will be leaving the Government but will be lending support in other ways.
He said Hood who entered politics for the 1999 general elections and won the St George’s Constituency was retiring from Parliament while Roland who entered politics for the 2003 general election will be moving out of representative politics and transitioning to lead the work of the New National Party.
A few weeks ago, Bhola informed his St Andrew North East constituency that he will not be running as a candidate for the upcoming general elections which is constitutionally due no later than May 2018.
Last week the New National Party issued a release saying that 35-year-old secondary school teacher Kate Skeeter Lewis will be the caretaker for the constituency which Bhola currently represents in the House of Representatives.
As a result of the departure of both Bhola and Hood, Mitchell told the nation that a new senator will be sworn in to replace Hood in the Upper House while the Cabinet ministerial portfolios will be adjusted.
That new senator will be Kate Lewis who be appointed as the new Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.
Senator Simon Stiell who is presently the Junior Minister in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development will be elevated to be the full Minister.
Minister Anthony Boatswain who is currently the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development will take over the Minister for Sport portfolio which is currently held by Roland Bhola.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs which was part of the Sports Minister Portfolio will now be placed under the Prime Minister’s Ministry.
Minister Oliver Joseph will retain the Labour Ministry and that of Cooperatives which was part of the responsibilities for Senator Brenda Hood.
“With a new and expanded administrative team and encouraging young leadership in the Ministry of Finance, the work of Economic Development is being consolidated within the department under my watch as the overall Minister for Finance and Economic Development,” said Dr Mitchell who explained that some of Joseph’s ministerial portfolio is being removed so that he can dedicate more time to his constituency.
“Sisters and brothers, as we approach the dawn of another Grenadian morning, we recognize that there is much work to do and we are on duty. We also recognize that in this new season, as we endeavour to serve you better before we come to you again seeking your support, we know that we must make some adjustments,” the Prime Minister said.
