CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The new cabinet of Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre was sworn into office on Friday amidst a warning that no ministerial position is “cast in stone” and there is “no monopoly for any minister”.
Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre acknowledges the cheers from the crowd as he makes his way into the Parliament building on Friday for the swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet.The 16-member cabinet took their oath of office at the Parliament building before Governor General, Sir Errol Charles, 11 days after Pierre led his St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) to a convincing 14-1 victory at the polls.
Two independent members – Stephenson King and Richard Frederick – who held ministerial portfolios in Pierre’s first administration were also returned to the Cabinet.
Pierre confirmed that some members of the last administration had not been included in the new Cabinet, telling the ceremony that the task of putting together the new Cabinet was “very challenging” given the overwhelming mandate from the voters.
“I am pleased and I am sure the public will be pleased with the composition of the Cabinet as it will be able to successfully drive the agenda over this new term, “he said, noting that in allocating ministerial responsibilities he was mindful of preserving a balance of continuity, productivity and meritocracy.
“Ministers within my Cabinet will be expected to conduct themselves with the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and effectiveness. I wish to make it clear that the current composition of the Cabinet is not a permanent construct.
“Changes will be made when and whenever necessary and particularly if ministers do not live up to their responsibilities,’ Pierre said, paying “special tribute” to the former minister of agriculture, Alfred Prospere, who was not given a ministerial post because Prime Minister Pierre said he wanted to keep within the island’s constitution that mandates that the deputy speaker of Parliament shall not be a sitting minister.
He has been replaced by newcomer Lisa Jawahir.
“The government believes we must follow the letter of the Constitution,” Pierre said, thanking also former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, who took up the position of deputy speaker “when it was most needed.
“I want to say that as soon as the legal barriers have been overcome, high consideration will be given for his return to the cabinet of ministers,” Pierre said regarding Prospere.
He thanked also the former members of the cabinet, who are not currently in active politics, “but I can assure them that their experience and their wisdom will be used by this government in the future”.
Pierre said that the new Cabinet ministers, must also remember that there is “no monopoly” reminding them “you are rewarded when you serve and when you do not perform you will not be rewarded.
“I want to thank them for accepting my proposals and for accepting the portfolios that they have been assigned and I want to assure them that they have my full cooperation, my full trust and confidence”.
He said he also w anted to remind the public servants that the ministers are there at the will of the people and that the government’s policies “have been determined by the will of the people of St. Lucia with an overwhelming mandate.
“The people have spoken, very, very very loudly and we expect that the civil service, the police will respond very very very effectively. We can assure you that this government will practice no intimidation, victimization, but we expect that the public services respond in a similar way,” Pierre said, adding “we look forward to working with everyone to ensure that St. Lucia is a better place”.
Pierre will hold the ministries of Constituency Development and People Empowerment in addition to continuing as Minister for Finance, National Security and Justice.
Among the ministers returning to the new cabinet are Dr. Ernest Hilaire, who is also the deputy prime minister, Alva Baptiste, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Diaspora Affairs, Emma Hipployte Minister of Consumer Affairs and Kenson Casimir as Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Digital Transformation.
