Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Updated | Permanent secretaries Bennett Templer, Hales reassigned

Published:Monday | February 22, 2021 | 8:39 PM
Sancia Bennett Templer (left) and Dr Alwin Hales are to be re-assigned shortly as the government attempts to fill key public administration vacancies. (contributed photos)

Two permanent secretaries are to be reassigned shortly as the government attempts to fill key public administration vacancies since the new Cabinet was installed last September. 

Sancia Bennett Templer's journey takes on a new leg soon as she's expected to leave Delroy Chuck's justice ministry this week for the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, where Audley Shaw is the portfolio minister.

Confirming the news, Chuck said it was a "normal process of rotation".

He said no replacement has been assigned yet. 

Permanent Secretary in Robert Montague's Transport and Mining Ministry, Dr Alwin Hales, is moving to the newly created Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change led by Pearnel Charles Jr. 

Audrey Sewell, PS for the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, had responsibilities for Charles' ministry. 

Sewell, who is upon retirement, was given the additional duties last November, the same month her contract was extended for an additional two years. 

It's understood that Dr Hales is also operating on a contractual extension. 

It's not clear who'll take up the top posts at justice and transport. 

However, the Public Service Commission is expected to make the announcements shortly. 

Protected by the Constitution, permanent secretaries are the most powerful public servants in government and accountable to Parliament for their department's actions and performance. 

The appointments are to take effect March 1.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that Sancia Bennett Templer would be reassigned to the Ministry of Agriculture. It's in fact the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

 - Jovan Johnson

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Bennett Templer was being moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. We regret the error.

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