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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 69 - Friday May 13, 2005 |
New Ten Member Cabinet Sworn in
 by Thomson Fontaine
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt named an eleven member cabinet on Thursday. The Cabinet was sworn in at a simple yet profoundly moving ceremony at the government house in Roseau.
For the first time in Dominica�s history, the Carib Indians were awarded a separate cabinet position of a full minister. The new minister is Kelley Graneau who won the Salybia constituency. Also, the Prime Minister included among his portfolio that of minister of Overseas Nationals.
The move was seen as the government�s increasing emphasis on getting the Diaspora more involved in various aspects of Dominica�s development. In a brief national address, the Prime Minister reiterated his interest in seeing more skilled and qualified Dominicans come forward to provide their services in the interest of the country.
The Prime Minister also named prominent Dominica businessman Yvor Nassief to head the all important Ministry of Tourism. Mr. Nassief promised to serve without any monetary compensation from the government.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt names an eleven member cabinet following his Labour Party victory at the polls. The Cabinet was sworn in at a simple but profoundly moving ceremony at government house on Thursday.
Front Row (L-R): Ambrose George: Public Works and Public Utilities; PM Skeritt: Finance, Planning, National Security and Overseas Nationals; Vince Henderson: Education, Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs.
2nd Row (L-R) Charles Sevarin: Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Relations ; Matthew Walter:Information, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs; Lorraine Bannis (Junior Minister):Tourism, Industry and Public Sector Relations; Ian Douglas: Legal Affairs; Reginald Austrie: Housing, Lands, Energy, Telecommunications and Ports
3rd Row (L-R) Rayburn Blackmore (Junior Minister) Office of the Prime Minister; Dr Colin McIntyre: Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment; John Fabien (hidden) Health and Social Security
Back Row (L-R)Kelly Graneau: Carib Affairs;Peter St Jean: Parliamentary Secretary-Education; Urban Baron:Parliamentary Secretary-Public Works; Felix Gregoire - Cabinet Secretary and not shown is Yvor Nassief, Minister of Tporism and Industry.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt took the oath of office for the second time as Dominica�s Prime Minister on Monday, May 10. In 2004 the then 31 year-old Skeritt became the world�s youngest serving Prime Minister when he replaced Pierre Charles who died suddenly in office.
 Skeritt who campaigned on a platform of hope and prosperity for the Dominican people, won a new five year term in one of the biggest electoral victories in Dominica. His DLP gained 12 seats and won 52 percent of the popular vote.
His party also created history by being the first single party to attract over 19, 000 votes in Dominica. Even the Dominica Freedom Party at the height of its popularity in the 1985 elections polled only 18, 434 votes.
Addressing reporters after the swearing in, the Prime Minister thanked God for his party�s victory and called on Dominicans to quickly get to work to move the country forward. He stressed the importance of enhancing productivity and working together in an effort to grow Dominica�s economy.
Meanwhile, 34 year-old attorney Ian Douglas, the Nephew of former Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas was sworn in as the country�s attorney general. The rest of the Cabinet will be sworn in on Thursday.
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