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by pltm
(PLTM) - GIS - His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce, has signed instruments of appointment, resulting in changes to ministerial portfolios for the following ministries: the Premier's Office; the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development; the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade; the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change; and the Ministry of Communications and Works.
The Premier's Office will now oversee the following subjects previously held by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change: Agriculture; Fisheries; Food Security; and Veterinary. Additionally, the subject of Constitutional Advancement has been formally added to the Premier's Office, which continues to lead on constitutional matters.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development has taken on Statistics from the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, as well as District Councils from the Premier’s Office.
The Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade has been renamed the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. It has received new subjects, including Cooperatives; Industrial Development (including Incentives); Immigration; Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment Development (RATED) Programme; and Weights and Measures.
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change will be headed by the Deputy Premier, Honourable Julian Fraser, and will now cover the following additional subjects: Building Inspection and Standards; Electrical Inspection; Housing; and Town and Country Planning.
The Ministry of Communications and Works has gained responsibility for Alternative Energy, which has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.
Following these changes, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, will be responsible for the Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry for Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. He will be supported by the Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr. Karl Dawson, and the Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith.
The revised listing of subjects assigned to the affected ministries is detailed below, with changes highlighted.
Note: Section 56(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 states that the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, may by directions in writing assign to any Minister responsibility for the conduct of any business, including responsibility for the administration of any department of Government.
