Recalling former gov’t minister Dwight Nelson

Former Government Minister Dwight Nelson died on Sunday night at the age of 72 years after ailing for some time.

Nelson who has had a career of more than 40 years in the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, later served as a Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service before becoming National Security Minister.

He was the security minister in 2010 when the security forces went into West Kingston to apprehend drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to be extradited to the United States.

Nelson became popular for his "I cannot recall" response to repeated questions during the Manatt-Dudus enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the West Kingston security operation and the events leading up to Coke’s extradition.

See tributes to Nelson below:

Dwight dedicated his life to the people of Jamaica, serving them as a Senior Vice President at the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and in government as a Senator, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and Minister of National Security. He was a true friend and someone who was always willing to give of himself in the service of his country.
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness
 

For his service to Jamaica, Dwight will be greatly missed, particularly in the trade union movement where his intellect and negotiating skills were highly respected on both sides of the negotiating table.
- Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips

I am shocked and saddened at the passing of Dwight Nelson. My association with Dwight goes back more than 60 years when we entered St George’s College together in 1958 as classmates. Our friendship endured through all these years. I have lost a longstanding friend and colleague and I extend my sincere condolences to Pat and the members of his family as well as to the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and Jamaica Labour Party that he served with dedication for many years.
- Bruce Golding, Former Prime Minister 
 

Dwight Nelson was a quintessential trade union functionary who stood at the heart of the renewal and change that saw a fractious and divisive trade union movement finding common cause with itself, and rising above the political fray to restore the primacy of working class interests.
- Danny Roberts, Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute 

I think he did very well and also ‘patented’ the term “I cannot recall”. He contributed extremely well to the country and as a trade unionist he has to be ranked amongst the best.
 - Vincent Morrison - President, Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees

Mr Nelson is somebody who will be greatly missed. He was a tower of strength in the trade union movement and an educator as he lectured all of us. He dedicated all his life to the working class people. He was a good person and a good human being.
- Granville Valentine, General Secretary, National Workers Union