Dr William Duguid was a surprise announcement as Senior Minister on the day the majority of people who will serve in the new Cabinet of Barbados were sworn in at State House on Wednesday.
Duguid was quoted in the Midweek Nation saying he was returning to practise as a dentist, but Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the adjustment was made earlier that day and communicated to the President, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.
He will be a senior minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for infrastructural projects and town planning matters.
Meanwhile, the other senior ministers all individually took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office as Minister after Attorney General Dale Marshall, who had previously done so with Prime Minster Mia Mottley last Friday, was received by the President.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Water Resources Santia Bradshaw led off the proceedings and was followed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, Minister of Energy and Business Development Kerrie Symmonds and Duguid.
The other Members of Parliament, parliamentary secretaries and senators who were present went up in batches to say the Oaths, while MP for St Michael South Central, Marsha Caddle, took the Affirmation.
Missing were MP for St Michael East Trevor Prescod, Minister of Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey and nominated senator Khaleel Kothwidala. No reason was given for the absence of the two MPs, but Humphrey posted on his Instagram page that he was “home a little under the weather”. A constitutional amendment will have to be made before Kothdiwala can serve since he is only 18 years old and too young under the current laws.
In her address prior to the swearing in, Mottley again spoke of the key issues affecting Barbados as well as an ambitious reform agenda that her Government seeks to undertake.
The world economy and its supply chain problems, the climate crisis with spillover effects on weather and water shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges, declining population and workforce, crime, digital crime and cyber security were among those itemised, while health, education, the criminal justice system, immigration and the sugar industry would all be undergoing changes.
There were also intercessions and blessings offered on behalf of the nation and the Government, for tolerance and peace and for front-line workers and caregivers. There were also two performances by a mass choir led by Ryan Boyce, The New Republic was rendered by Shadia Marshall and Damian Marvay and the Barbados Police Service Band also provided entertainment. (SAT)