Permanent secretaries sworn in
Eight newly-appointed permanent secretaries, along with three others who acted for some time in their posts and another who was transferred, took their oath of office before President Bharrat Jagdeo in the Credentials Room of the Office of the President yesterday morning. The permanent secretaries taking the oath of office were Bhowan Balkarran, Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock; Nanda Kishore Gopaul, Public Service Ministry; Kenneth Michael Jordan, Ministry of Public Works and Communication; Phulander Kanhai, Ministry of Local Government; Prem Misir, Ministry of Information; Dindyal Permaul, Ministry of Agriculture; Doorga Persaud, Ministry of Health and Labour; Jennifer Ingrid Webster, Office of the President, Randolph Augustus Williams, Ministry of Home Affairs; Hydar Ally, Ministry of Education; Keith Booker, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Claude Marks, Ministry of Legal Affairs. Also sworn in was Secretary to the Public and Police Service commissions, John Joshua Isaacs. Sonia Roopnauth, who was named permanent secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry was not sworn in. She is at present in the USA, completing a masters degree programme at Colombia University. She is expected to take office later this month. Roopnarine Khedoo who has been acting in the position at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security since the year began was also not sworn in, as he too is out of the country. The only permanent secretary who was not replaced or transferred in the recent shake up was Claudette Moore of the Ministry of Housing and Water. Moore was sworn in during the PNC administration of Desmond Hoyte. Mr Jagdeo announced the changes in the administrative officers on November 19, on the occasion of his 100th day in office. He is to have his first briefing with the permanent secretaries at the Office of the President today.
|