By Government Press Office | BELIZE
BELMOPAN, Belize – Over the last several weeks, prime minister John Briceño conducted a comprehensive first-year review of national conditions, cabinet portfolio performance and leadership effectiveness.
As a result of these assessments, and after consultations with senior colleagues, prime minister Briceño believes that the following portfolio adjustments will enhance the cabinet’s administration while advancing key governance goals:
- Kevin Bernard will now serve as minister of health and wellness; Michel Chebat will now serve as minister of public utilities and logistics; and Rodwell Ferguson will now serve as minister of transport, youth and sports.
- Francis Fonseca will, in addition to his current responsibilities, serve as minister responsible for e-governance; while Henry Charles Usher will, in addition to his responsibilities as minister of the public service, constitutional and political affairs, now also be responsible for religious affairs.
- Operationally, the office of the prime minister will now assume coordination for the National Security Council.
- All other ministerial and minister of state appointments remain in place.
The prime minister has advised the Governor-General Her Excellency Froyla Tzalam that these cabinet portfolio reassignments are to be effected immediately.
“Every member of cabinet, including those whose responsibilities are being re-assigned, enjoy my full confidence,” said prime minister Briceño. “My constitutional obligation as steward of the executive requires the fine-tuning of ministerial designations from time to time, and in view of the current circumstances, I am convinced that the new assignments will further the national interest.”
- As a former three-time Mayor of the Orange Walk Town Council, Kevin Bernard has considerable experience in a broad spectrum of public sector and stakeholder management.
- Minister Michel Chebat, a senior counsel with expertise in commerce and business, is particularly suited to tackle the complexities of public utilities and logistics.
- Rodwell Ferguson, who already delivered improvements to the national transport system, has successfully managed youth and sports programs in one of the country’s largest constituencies.
- The transformational e-governance initiatives of the government will be speedily integrated into the education, science and technology architecture, under the capable leadership of Francis Fonseca.
Prime minister Briceño has directed the cabinet secretary to expeditiously oversee the ministerial transition process, including the appointment of chief executive officers and senior staff.
