The Cabinet of the new FNM government was sworn in at Government House on Monday afternoon. In addition to K Peter Turnquest and Carl Bethel, who were sworn in on Friday as Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance and Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs respectively, were the following:
Brent Symonette, Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration.
Renward Wells, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
Dr Duane Sands, Minister of Health.
Marvin Dames, Minister of National Security.
Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development.
Frankie Campbell, Minister of Transport and Local Government.
Jeffery Lloyd, Minister of Education.
Romauld Ferreira, Minister of Environment and Housing.
Dion Foulkes, Minister of Labour.
Darren Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Michael Pintard, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.
Dionisio D'Aguilar, Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Bahamasair.
Brensil Rolle, Minister of State for Public Service and National Insurance Office of the Prime Minister.
Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Office of the Prime Minister.
Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs.
Desmond Bannister will be sworn in as Minister of Works at a later date.
See Tuesday's Tribune for the full story.
Comments
tell_it_like_it_is 7 years, 6 months ago
Brent Symonette, financial services - not a good idea!
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 6 months ago
You ain't kidding about that when it comes to financial services.....a gigantic mistake by Minnis!!!!
banker 7 years, 6 months ago
Gawd almighty ... another doppelganger/sock puppet/proxy account of poison-pen mudda shows up. The BS'er can spew all he wants. It een gern change or derail anything. He/it is just now pathetic.
DEDDIE 7 years, 6 months ago
Actually, it think it is a good choice. Investor prefer to deal with someone who understand business. Brent past improprieties in the public sector would have been consider sound business practice in the private sector. All he did was cut out the middleman allowing direct purchases from Hot Mix. Everyone was using Hot Mix anyway.
concernedcitizen 7 years, 6 months ago
Hot mix was the only source for that much aspalt and I don,tremember if Brent was an MP or even in government when the roads were done ,,
Reality_Check 7 years, 6 months ago
It's not about Hot Mix, it's about Commonwealth Bank.
concernedcitizen 7 years, 6 months ago
oh you mean a bank that is run well and employs people or you prefer BOB where 100,s of millions of the tax payers money walked out the front door ,and development bank before that and peoples penny savings bank before that ,,b/c Commonwealth does not lend people money for some hair brained idea scratched on a paper bag does not make it a bad business model .You seem to think banks are social services ,,they are there to make money and on the way provide jobs ,,
Honestman 7 years, 6 months ago
Mudda/Reality/Tell it Like it is
You are indeed pathetic - go get a life!
MassExodus 7 years, 6 months ago
Fa Real. It is obvious that you have 3 separate profiles. I mean you can't be serious.
Reality_Check 7 years, 6 months ago
@banker, @Honestman and more recently @MassExodus.....uummmm!
banker 7 years, 6 months ago
Typical. Liars, cheaters, dissemblers, and psychopaths always assume, that because they do deviant behaviour, others do as well. Newsflash -- it's just you that has sphincter ejecta in multiple personalities. But that is something that you will never know, and there is no sense in anyone trying to show you the light. The die is set. Good Luck and God Bless.
MassExodus 7 years, 6 months ago
Yall are some Trolls... Don't you have something better to do with your time? Explain to us in detail how Brent Symonette is not a good choice, because this makes no sense to anyone with half a brain.
concernedcitizen 7 years, 6 months ago
I thought that ,but who better to meet w/ wealthy foreign investors but a wealthy business man that understands investment and offshore financial services .And he is too wealthy and has too much pride to shake down an investor ,,
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 6 months ago
Are you for real???!!! The dots here are just too easy to connect when it comes to the self-interest of the Symonette family.
concernedcitizen 7 years, 6 months ago
Yeah I,m for real Brent has too much money and too much pride to shake down a foreign investor like Fitzgerald did to Sarkis ..he is not a nickle and dime film flam man ..Rich investors and Bahamians will like to invest w him , like the Fast Ferries w his brother ..Or would you prefer like the Deans that got the loan from the development bank under the PLP for the mailboat that was never repaid ,,money moves w money and provides jobs ,,
Reality_Check 7 years, 6 months ago
Jeff Lloyd - Education - is sad commentary on what Minnis must think about the need for quality education in our country today! Education has a very large share of the portion of our annual budget not needed for debt service, but has over the years produced dismal returns in terms of the standard of education. This certainly will not change under Jeff Lloyd - he just doesn't have the management and other skills necessary for this very important ministerial portfolio. A very disappointing appointment indeed!!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
Jeff Lloyd has to clean up a corrupt, dysfunctional and visionless Department of Education ........ Too much graft, political nepotism and cronyism in DOE ..... Second only to the Police Force
Honestman 7 years, 6 months ago
Mudda - you truly are sick! You talk out of your @ss Jeff Lloyd will do a hundred times better job than the sleaze ridden Fitzgerald. What's the matter with you? You seem to hate everyone.
proudloudandfnm 7 years, 6 months ago
Brent will do a good job.
I was more taken aback by the Renward (LOI boy) Wells nomination then Minnis' pledge on ethics. I found that quite interesting...
TalRussell 7 years, 6 months ago
Comrades! I pictured in my head while watching the swearing-in some Minnis's ministers choking on some parts swearing to some their cabinet office's duties. Only time will speaks - as to the highly ethics some them going to perform 'to the best of their ability?' Now, even me is choking the closer some their faces does pop's up in my head - if it does be that the PM does not add some extra cash for the auditor-general to keep an eye on his own government.
banker 7 years, 6 months ago
Did you hear the groan when Minnis announced that Dionisio would have BahamasAir in his portfolio? Erryone there knew that it was a sack of shiite job.
And yes there were a couple who had trouble reading (could have been nerves -- or not). One in particular, forgot to say "So Help Me God" and Lady Swindling interrupted and used her finger like a pointer to make him say it.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
We know for sure that Bahamasair needs new direction and purpose ........ Get the planes out of running errands to the islands and get them bringing tourists to the government .......... I don't hear anyone in Andros complaining about the absence of Bahamasair .......... and if we are to expand local aviation, we need the private sector airlines having a major share in inter-island transportation ....... Bahamasair is a flag carrier, not a social service ......... That should be the first order of business for DD
DEDDIE 7 years, 6 months ago
Brent was a good choice. Investor prefer to deal with someone who understand business. Brent past improprieties in the public sector would have been consider sound business practice in the private sector. All he did was cut out the middleman allowing direct purchases from Hot Mix. Everyone was using Hot Mix anyway. The middlemen put up a fuss because they were not getting their markups.
Gotoutintime 7 years, 6 months ago
At least Brent doesn't need to steal from anybody!
Reality_Check 7 years, 6 months ago
You could say the same about Sir Snake, or even Christie now.....but more often than not, the wealthier they get the greedier they get.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
The composition of the new FNM Cabinet is quite good ............. Minnis made a most important decision by not taking a portfolio (He is the CEO) ......... Also he made a point that Cabinet ministers establish policy, they do not administrate(run the daily business) ........ an effective Ministry must first have a competent Permanent Secretary ....... The PLP appointees left much to be desired, and the PLP Ministers were too busy taking care of their friends, family and lovers
banker 7 years, 6 months ago
And did you hear his speech (Minnis)? He said that he would have no compunction firing cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries for ethical offences. It was like a breath of fresh air !!
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago
Excellent! I'm confused why he made Vaughn Miller speaker???? Didn't they learn anything from Kendal Major? It's not a post where you put someone who doesn't know anything else. It's a real position.
I'll keep my eyes Romi and Lanisha, not too impressed. But he says he'll fire people quick so...reservations about Reward and LOI
TalRussell 7 years, 6 months ago
Comrades! The Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990
Criminal Code Act-Part VI Nigeria Law.
(6) A person shall not be deemed to take a thing 'unless he moves the thing or causes it to move' 384. (1)
Iknowalot 7 years, 6 months ago
Jeff lloyd is a former school teacher who taught at SAC. He has been in the classroom for over 20yrs. I would think he knows something about education.
TalRussell 7 years, 6 months ago
Comrades! Seems PM Minnis, gave no consideration end his lucrative cash flow property rental to the government? Should we not know the financial details of any other MP's with possible contracts connected to the government? Applies MP's families, companies - direct/indirect involvement.
DDK 7 years, 6 months ago
Indeed we should.
Truism 7 years, 6 months ago
I knew Prime Minister Minnis would definitely get one right that nobody could/should disagree with. Minister Michael Pintard, Youth Sport and Culture, a proven coach and he will ensure that the culture continues.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
Pintard is the polar opposite of Danny Johnson ........ This Ministry is going to be a bell-weather for the FNM government ........... But I want to know who is going to deal with the twin bullhorns of BAMSI and BAIC??????? ....... Brent or Renward????????
Truism 7 years, 6 months ago
Minister Lloyd will do well at education, after all he and the Dame of the FNM son has much in common they really get to know their students. Taking education to a whole new level.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
The PLP has corrupted Dame Ivy's education reform model ....... it is almost unrecognizable after the run under Fitzgerald & Sands
alfalfa 7 years, 6 months ago
I think Mr. Lloyd is an intelligent person, of impeccable character. He has spearheaded rehabilitation programs for years, has an ear to the concerns of the youth, and I have never seen his name mixed up in any questionable circumstances. As for the rest of them, I say, give them a chance to perform, before we cast judgement. If they do not perform, the new PM says they will go.
TalRussell 7 years, 6 months ago
Comrades! I does remember it well. It was on a heavy rainy Nassau Town Thursday, May 30, 2013, when our fellow blogger Banker posted that 'because of the PLP government's 'borrowing of a Billion dollars in its first year in office' - Banker predicated that 'soon we all be eating pigeons and coconuts. We can't even afford conch.'
I hope Banker keeps raising them pigeons and growing his coconuts - cause if he thought he couldn't afford conchs back at 2013 prices - just he wait until his new MOF KP, and his red regime - borrows their first Billion dollars.
Truism 7 years, 6 months ago
Dame who? Sands what? Bethel how? Bannister well he really didn't matter. Now Sears, at least he was teachable. Now if you'd appointed I. Ponder to the Senate and made her the substantive minister we could talk about someone who not only had a clue, but, a mad desire for educational improvement/excellence.
DEDDIE 7 years, 6 months ago
Key point for education is to create a grammar track and an technical track. The differentiation should start from grade seven. Those who seemed incline to higher education should continue on the tract as currently constituted. Those who seem less incline should receive a trade, English, Math and Business. Basic Math should suffice. I don't know what the purpose of learning -b + or - the square root of B squared - 4ac all that over 2a. That formula has been in my head for over 30 years. Total waste of brain cells.
MassExodus 7 years, 6 months ago
The impossible has happened, Fred Mitchell finally came face to face with a salami he didn't like. In other news Perry Christie is rumored to be gay.
hallmark 7 years, 6 months ago
By the way, what became of those former FNM fellas who were post up on the PLP Convention stage giving their allegiance to Perry Christie?
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago
I see elements of a reward system in these appointments and I'm troubled by it. This is supposed to be change. I don't think we need to wait to see that Vaughn Miller is not appropriate for speaker of the house. Lanisha I'm concerned about being in cabinet, I could be wrong but I think we're going to see confusion generated from her just like the LBT episode, her "defense" of Minnis will outweigh her maturity. Romi I'm hoping he surprises me, he doesn't seem to get ahead of things, thinks he can just show up and his smarts will get him through, again I could be wrong. Renward's appt as a cabinet minister sends the wrong signal. Frankie Cambell I ain't sure...I'm a little weary of these appointments right out the gate.
I'd like to see an announcement of a training program for all of them, procedures and ethics and an oversight committee of senior administrators advising them for at least a year. Each administrator responsible for 3-4 ministers. They don't have time to get things wrong
I give him credit for making the appointments quickly though, that is a good sign
Sickened 7 years, 6 months ago
I'm with you.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago
I would have liked to have seen Komolafe or Bazard in the cabinet, they'd do a much better job than Lanisha, (among MANY others). And what a sign it would send to the country! That we are looking for the best of the best to manage our institutions and look after our money.
The politics of it? I don't care. Does anyone care if their bank manager is a PLP/FNM or DNA?
Jonahbay 7 years, 6 months ago
Renward Wells must be good at something notable, I'm just not sure what it is yet... Definitely good at changing parties and signing things and keeping his mouth shut. But a Cabinet position? I would have locked him in the cabinet. If only he knew how many people covered his name to vote. Everyone else in this Cabinet has a chance to make a name for themselves good or bad. He already has the bad one, so are we hoping for good this time around?
banker 7 years, 6 months ago
Renward is the insurance policy. He knows where the bodies are buried.
(and they say that Doc een a good politician -- you always need an ace up your sleeve to smash the PLP subhumans once they recover enough to raise their ugly heads. Renward is the big hammer for a good whackamole once the criminal indictments start. )
hoopballer9 7 years, 6 months ago
Renward worked in the Ministry of Works for years without incident.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 6 months ago
Brent Symonette, Carl Bethel and Dion Foulkes make three so far from the old Ingraham guard. No doubt more to come with remaining Senate and other appointments. Not a good sign at all....these guys all had long periods in past FNM governments and accomplished very little for the people.
Sickened 7 years, 6 months ago
Yeah those three I would have preferred to sit out any ministerial roles. Hopefully they are only appointed for a couple of years and then changed.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 6 months ago
Had a strange thought...well not strange...the Speaker is the only position that requires the appointee to know precisely what they're doing, to know everything about everything and to get it right all the time, but yet they've chosen the weakest among them to fill the post...would have thought the missteps of Major would have taught them something.
thephoenix562 7 years, 6 months ago
I think this will be a disciplined Cabinet. 4 former Police officers, Marvin Dames,Elsworth Johnson,Lanisha Rolle,Frankie Campbell.1 former Defence Force Officer Darren Henfield.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago
Your assumption may be suspect when we view the recent performance of the Bahamian law enforcement agencies
Truism 7 years, 6 months ago
I'm trying to understand how the bloggers came to the conclusion that a former or current Parliamentarian may be charged before the courts with a criminal offense. Ministers do not prepare or sign vouchers nor do write or sign cheques on behalf of The Bahamas Government. Permanent Secretaries and Directors are chief financial officer with responsibility for each head. In governmental financing the buck stops with them ask HAI.
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