The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

NEWLY-appointed state minister Arnold Forbes hopes that his move from the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation to the Ministry of Works can “make a difference”.

On Sunday it was announced that Mr Forbes, chairman of BAIC, has been appointed as minister of state in the Ministry of Works.

Mr Forbes told The Tribune that he is “pleased and excited” with his new position and that he has already given thought to ways of improving the techniques and services at the ministry.

The Mount Moriah MP said once at the Ministry of Works he will work to make certain that the mandate of the prime minister is carried out.

He added: “I am here to work, to work for the government and most of all the Bahamian people. There are a number of things I am looking forward to achieving at the Ministry of Works, there is certainly a long list of goals to accomplish. I am coming in from a different generation that certainly has a different perspective on how to get things done. I hope that I can make a difference.

“When I was at BAIC there were a number of aspects we changed up in an effort to improve the end results, that is what I look forward to doing at the Ministry of Works, finding new ways to get work done in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

Mr Forbes added of BAIC: “I am thankful for the time I had there. The management and staff at BAIC took me in and together we achieved a number of things together. We moved from a deplorable facility to one of the most eco-friendly buildings in government. It is my hope that the newly appointed chairman carries on the mantle at BAIC and continues to work on behalf of the Bahamian people.”

Mr Forbes’ appointment came as a part of a recent Cabinet shuffle.

On Sunday it was also revealed that Sea Breeze MP Hope Strachan is the new minister of financial services, a position left vacant after the resignation of Elizabeth MP, Ryan Pinder.

Nassau Village MP Dion Smith has been selected as the new chairman of BAIC, to replace Mr Forbes. The appointments all take effect on January 12.

With his new post, Mr Forbes will be working more closely with substantive Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis.

Mr Forbes said of the pairing: “We worked well together in the past and I am sure we will continue to do so. I think we can get a lot done in a timely manner and in a good manner.”

The move comes months after the firing of Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, who was parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works.

He was fired last year following controversy over claims that he breached government protocols by signing a letter of intent with a company proposing a $650m waste-to-energy deal.