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Bermuda: Premier Cannonier re-shuffles cabinet in attempt to reducing size of government
Bermuda Premier Craig Cannonier. PHOTO/Royal Gazette
Bermuda Premier Craig Cannonier re-shuffled his cabinet on Wednesday in a cost-cutting measure that reduces the number of government ministers from 13 to 10.
Cannonier told a news conference the changes were “part of a process toward better governing and greater efficiency” and that the cuts would save the taxpayer around US$240,000.
The changes are effective immediately.
Immediate former Education Minister Nalton Brangman, who will now be the junior Minister of Tourism, while Grant Gibbons will take over Education and also keep the Economic Development portfolio.
Also out of the cabinet is Leah Scott, the immediate former Minister Without Portfolio. Following the re-shuffle, she has become the new junior Minister of Education.
Sylvan Richards has been dropped as Environment Minister. He will be the new junior Minister of Home Affairs. Trevor Moniz and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin have traded places, with Gordon-Pamplin now Minister for Public Works and Moniz being handed Health.
Additionally, Moniz will also take on the Environment Ministry.
Cannonier said the changes were not “a fly-by-night decision” but had been under consideration for many months with a view to producing a more efficient and smaller government.
“As Premier, it is my responsibility to lead by example and make some tough decisions from the top down,” Cannonier added. -(CMC)