Opposition Leader Michael Pintard labeled Prime Minister Philip Davis' Cabinet changes a "desperate move" and an "admission of the Davis administration's declining favor with the public".

But the prime minister, who announced the changes in a national address yesterday, said they are intended to "strengthen policy execution, and to balance continuity and experience with renewal and fresh perspectives".

He also had high praises for all the ministers who were reassigned.

Pintard said, however, "The names attached to the government plates may be different, but little has changed".

"When these ministers finally return to work, there will still be over 100 unanswered questions on their desks from the opposition," he said.

"It will still be one year since the PLP government failed to meet the legal deadline for publishing the contracts it awarded since coming to office.

"The cost of living crisis will still be here, as well as massive taxes, levies, charges and fees introduced under their watch.

"Bills will still be high, and the Bahamian people's confidence in this long-talking crew will still be low."

Pintard added, "No amount of pomp, pageantry and public relations will change what even their endless consultants can see clear as day: this PLP government is running out of time, and they will soon be out of office."

The opposition leader did not specifically analyze the changes Davis made to his Cabinet, which included the promotions of Jomo Campbell and Pia Glover-Rolle from ministers of state to substantive ministers.

The opposition had long been calling for the firing of the now former Minister of Immigration Keith Bell after he was embroiled in various immigration-related controversies, including swearing in new Bahamian citizens at a funeral in June, and ordering the release of a group of Chinese workers found at the British Colonial Hotel in Downtown Nassau without any legal status in the country.

After heaping praise on Bell for his "very substantial accomplishments" as Minister of Labour and Immigration, the prime minister announced that he is the new Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.

The opposition had also repeatedly called for the firing of Alfred Sears, who as Minister of Works was responsible for Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

The opposition contended that Sears performed poorly as minister and oversaw matters that led to significant increases in the power bills of Bahamian consumers.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who was Minister of Transport and Housing, is now Minister of Energy and Transport and has responsibility for BPL.

The prime minister also announced other Cabinet changes yesterday.

See related story published today under the headline, "Reshuffle".

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