FNM calls new cabinet 'bloated'

Sat, May 12th 2012, 08:36 AM

The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday blasted Prime Minister Perry Christie for appointing a 'bloated Cabinet'.
"At a time of high unemployment and reduced government revenues, Prime Minister Christie has appointed a Cabinet of 21 ministers, four more than the last FNM Cabinet which numbered 17," the opposition party said in a statement.
It noted that he has also appointed three parliamentary secretaries as compared to the two at the time of the general election.
"As opposed to being ready on day one to commence governing, the new 'never-ready' PLP government took four full days to appoint its bloated cabinet," the FNM said.
"The new Christie Cabinet is very reminiscent of his last one," the FNM said.
It noted Allyson Maynard-Gibson is once again attorney general; Fred Mitchell returns to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration; Alfred Gray returns to Agriculture and Marine Resources; Shane Gibson returns to the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance; Glenys Hanna-Martin is once again minister for transport and aviation; Melanie Griffith returns to the Ministry of Social Services and Obie Wilchcombe returns as minister of tourism.

In a particular twist, the FNM said, Prime Minister Christie re-established the Ministry for Financial Services and Investments and appointed a minister (Ryan Pinder).
"This flies in the face of the fact that all legislation responsible for the regulation of financial services in The Bahamas whether it is banks and trust companies, insurance or the Securities Commission fall within the legislative jurisdiction of the minister of finance," the party said.
It noted that a minister of state with responsibility for investments has been appointed in the Office of the Prime Minister (Khaalis Rolle).
"This signals that investments remain in the prime minister's portfolio and financial regulation in the portfolio of the minister of finance," the party added.
"The new prime minister may wish to clarify the responsibilities of the minister whom he has appointed as minister of financial services.
"Clearly the boys are back and jobs are being found for each and every one. The prime minister made certain to signal to his backbenchers that further Cabinet appointments would be made at the mid-term point presumably bringing even additional members into the Cabinet."
The FNM also said there is no clear indication of which minister will hold responsibility for oil, "and it is noted that Leslie Miller had not yet been assigned a portfolio".
Miller was minister of trade and industry in the Christie administration between 2002 and 2007.
The Cabinet Office announced yesterday that Cabinet appointments were completed. Miller has said repeatedly he would not serve in Cabinet again if offered the opportunity.
The FNM said it will in due course make a full statement on the makeup of the new government.

"In the meantime we will watch these matters closely," the party said.

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