Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister will serve as deputy prime minister and Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson will serve as minister of state for finance, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced yesterday.
Minnis said he will continue to serve as minister of finance.
“To help advance these economic goals and to boost jobs, for the remainder of this term, I will continue to serve as the minister of finance,” he said during a national address.
“Desmond Bannister, the minister of works, will become deputy prime minister. Because of his portfolio, which includes capital works and infrastructure, and because of his experience and good counsel, he will be a part of the economic team.
Minnis said Thompson will also serve as minister of state for finance.
“As minister of state for finance, I have asked him to focus on the economic needs and recovery of Grand Bahama, Family Island development and the ongoing digital transformation of The Bahamas and the government,” Minnis said.
Former RBC Managing Director Nathaniel Beneby was named as a special economic advisor. Minnis said his team will also include former Central Bank Governor Wendy Craigg, Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson, and Kenneth Kerr, who co-chaired the Economic Recovery Committee with Johnson.
“My economic and financial team will meet regularly to help chart and guide our economic recovery,” Minnis said.
“We will augment this team as necessary with individuals and expertise from across the economy, including various members from the Economic Recovery Committee.”
Following allegations that he helped to defraud two companies of around $28 million, East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest resigned as minister of finance and deputy prime minister, leaving a vacuum in the Cabinet.
Turnquest denied the claims, but said it was best if he stepped down.
Minnis appointed himself as minister of finance, declaring at the time that it was an “interim” position.
There was significant public speculation over who would ultimately fill the role for the duration of the term.
Minnis expressed confidence that the team will lead The Bahamas to much-needed economic recovery.
“Just as I assembled a team of wide expertise and talent to combat the health aspects of the pandemic, I will continue to do the same to get Bahamians back to work as quickly as possible,” he said.
“This economy will recover. More jobs are on the way.”
The post Kwasi Thompson to serve as minister of state for finance; Bannister named DPM appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/kwasi-thompson-to-serve-as-minister-of-state-for-finance-bannister-named-dpm/
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