PM names new Public Service appointees – no word on Senators

Vincentians will have to wait about another two weeks to know who are the three persons who will be appointed government senators.{{more}}

In the meantime, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves yesterday announced new appointments in the public service, most of which took effect as of September 1.

Gonsalves, during a press conference at Cabinet Room, said this country’s new Cabinet Secretary is immediate past Chief Personnel Officer Kattian Barnwell, who replaces the Susan Dougan, who has retired.

“The office of Chief Personnel Officer, vacated by Miss Barnwell will be filled by Mrs Coreen Gonsalves, who was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Reconciliation, Labour, the Public Service and Information,” the Prime Minister announced.

The vacancy left by Gonsalves in that ministry, will be filled by Dr Audrey Gilkes, the former Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

Gilkes’ vacant post has not yet been filled, but Prime Minister Gonsalves indicated that administrative control rests with Sister Peggy DaSilva, until a new CNO is announced.

“Similarly I have been advised that Sister Enole Smart has gone on her retirement leave and the person in administrative control is Sister Grace Walters, as Hospital Administrator,” Gonsalves added.

Dr Simone Keizer, former Medical Director of of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) is the new Chief Medical Officer, replacing Dr St Clair Thomas, who attained retirement age one year ago. In the interim, Dr Sherian Slater filled the post of CMO in an acting capacity.

Dr Charles Woods will now step up to the position of Medical Director of the MCMH.

The Prime Minister also announced that former National Broadcasting Corporation staffer Dionne John has been appointed to replace a retiring St Clair “Jimmy” Prince as director of the Agency for Public Information (API).

The Prime Minister also noted that Bernadette Ambrose Black had replaced Cleo Huggins at Invest SVG.

“As you are aware, Dr Joel Warrican has to return to the University of the West Indies, so there has to be a new Director of the Community College, someone, I have been advised, has been appointed to fill the position in the interim, as the college authorities carry out the exercise of finding a long-term replacement for Dr Warrican.”

Earlier, Gonsalves said that Inga Rhonda King was this country’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, replacing Camillo Gonsalves, whose tenure came to an end last month.

The Prime Minister thanked Gonsalves, as well as Dougan and the other outgoing heads of department for their service, as he welcomed the new appointees to their respective posts.

According to Gonsalves, the appointments are expected to add some freshness within the policy framework of the Government, and are a clear indication of things to come in the administration’s future.

“I know when you see the range of new appointments, you must know that a lot of energy is coming in, and I’m preparing the basis for even more for 2015 and beyond. This is a part of the strategic frame of refreshing and renewal of Government which has within it the dynamics of change and adaption in the interest of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the region.”

As for the new senators, Gonsalves said that the names will be announced by September 17, before the scheduled September 19 meeting of the House of Assembly.

“I know many of you have come here today expecting to hear the announcements.… I am doing it especially in my time on this occasion…,” Gonsalves said. (JJ)