It is very rare for changes in both the Legislative and Executive Branches of Government to result in a strengthening of the Administration. Belize may be witnessing one of those extremely rare phenomenons as the changes announced by Right Honorable Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Tuesday, December 13, are receiving thumbs up from all sectors of society.
The Attorney General and Minister of Natural Resources Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage has upheld a verbal one year commitment she made to Prime Minister Barrow and is now moving on to focus on her private career and development. Since word surfaced that Retreage was moving on from public service, rumours have been flung wildly. She disappointed the conspiracy theorists at a press conference with PM Barrow on Tuesday in Belmopan. “Sadly it’s only because time is up and I can’t confirm any of the juicy gossip that has been going around,” said Retreage. “I remain committed to this UDP administration and will provide any support I can whenever I can to this UDP administration and I am confident that this administration will see the country through these troubling times that we are having.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources is now being added to the portfolio of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Barrow. Dr. Carla Barnett, who is already the Minister of State in that Ministry, will assume the responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources. Dr. Carla Barnett enjoys bi-partisan and universal respect as a public administrator and reformer. Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, who Prime Minister Barrow refers to as “the best speaker of the modern era in this country”, is stepping out of that chair and taking up the role of Attorney General. Peyrefitte has long been acknowledged as one of the best legal minds in the country and this is a nomination that many for a long time had seen as a no brainer.
When he was voted in as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on Friday, December 9, Hon. Omar Figuerroa was gracious but discouraged Hon. Peyrefitte from any unwarranted absence because he has ‘big shoes to fill.’ Now, tapped to fill that shoe and seat is the first woman speaker selected by the UDP Government, Mrs. Laura Longsworth. In making the announcement, PM Barrow said, “We have no doubt that Mrs. Longsworth, who is not a partisan, will be absolutely like that – fair but firm. We think she brings a great deal to the position.” Mrs. Longsworth is the President of the Belize Cancer Society and the Chairman of the National Aids Commission. Her nomination will have to be approved by the Legislators at the next Sitting of the House.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is now added to the portfolio of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington. Minister of State Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr. will continue to have direct responsibility for that Ministry.
