Urban Planner sworn in as Minister of Urban Development

The Government’s new Minister of Urban Development comes to the post well prepared for the task ahead of her.

Benarva Browne, 33, an urban planner and consultant, took the oaths of office and secrecy as a senator and minister of government on Wednesday, July 12, at Government House.

She has been appointed Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Seaports Administration & Development, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government, and according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, he has already briefed her on several important projects for which she will have direct involvement and oversight.

Included among these are the container port being constructed in Kingstown, the refurbishment of the Little Tokyo bus terminal, the further development of the cruise ship pier, work on the proposed tunnel under Cane Garden point to link Kingstown to Arnos Vale, and beginning in November, the construction of the EC$270 million Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale.

Gonsalves congratulated the new senator and said her appointment is a very special moment in “the evolution of our society and the evolution of our government”.

Governor General Dame Susan Dougan, beamed as she congratulated Browne, describing the moment as “absolutely wonderful”.

“I cannot tell you how pleased I am to officiate here this morning.”

Dame Susan, a former educator, was headmistress of the Girls’ High School when Browne was a student. She invoked the school’s motto during her remarks. “You have distinguished yourself and I know that you are placed in a position where you are going to excel even further. You are young, intelligent, involved in nation building, and now you are given the opportunity to translate your training to practical ways of doing things. Per ardua ad alta.”

When she took the podium, Browne said she was “deeply humbled by this appointment”.

She described her academic journey and work done to date as a development consultant. “Today, as I accept this considered and privileged responsibility, I trust that all these experiences over the years shall guide my decision making in the best interest of my beloved country.

The new minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Government for the confidence placed in her and said she looked forward to adding value to their “steadfast work in improving St Vincent and the Grenadines and the lives of Vincentians”. She also thanked her parents, family and friends.

Browne is the daughter of Bentley Browne, himself a professional town planner, and his wife Marva.

The new minister specially mentioned Julian Francis, the former senator and Minister of Urban Development, who demitted office the day before she was sworn in and who she has replaced.

The Minister of Urban Development holds a master’s degree in Town and Country Planning (MPLAN) from the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, United Kingdom. In 2020, she was a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

At the first sitting of Parliament at the temporary building at Calliaqua yesterday, July 13, Browne took the oath of allegiance and made brief remarks.