Tweet
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Air Jamaica and the Vernamfield project will be some of the areas which will receive immediate attention from incoming Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry.
Mr. Henry spoke with our news centre minutes after his appointment was announced.
"But basically I am going to quickly have a look at the Air Jamaica situation to see how we can as soon as possible see how to address it in terms of its drag on the budget; two, the development of Vernam Field and three try to assess the contracts that are out there which need to be addressed and brought on stream in the quickest time and the actual figures. And of course the transport elements which must now be brought together to make it more economically viable for people to move quickly across the country," said Mr. Henry.
Meanwhile, incoming Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles says he accepted his appointment with humility.
Mr. Charles says he is ready to take charge of the two portfolios.
"You know I have spent my whole life in the working class movement and so my appointment to the Ministry of Labour would not be a problem. Social Security to deal with from the womb to the tomb, I love that and in just a few days I will be able to give you a reaction in terms of what is happening. The Prime Minister has given it to me to do that and I am going to give it my best shot," said Mr. Charles.
In the meantime, Andrew Holness who will take on the challenging Education portfolio also spoke with RJR News Wednesday night on his main area of focus as Minister.
"My first priority will be to focus on Early Childhood Education and to deal with the quality of our education. Quality has to measured and one of the variables that we look at when we measure quality is the result we get from GSAT and CXC and we want to increase and improve those results," said Mr. Holness.
And, Dr. Christopher Tufton who is scheduled to be sworn in Friday as Agriculture Minister says he has big plans for the sector.
Dr. Tufton, who appeared on RJR's Jamaica Speaks programme Wednesday night, said there will be a drive to further increase the use of technology in agriculture,.
"I think it can be dealt with, it's a critical industry that employs 18 per cent of the labour force but only generates six per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) so there is a competitive or productivity issue that must be dealt with," said Dr. Tufton.
"The party leader and myself and others have argued for a greater level of technology in agriculture as well as the need for value added and marketing expertise. I am trained in marketing that's what I teach, or used to teach at the University (of the West Indies) and I believe I have the discipline to apply all I need is a team to work with me," he continued.
He says efforts will also be made to attract more young people to farming.
Air Jamaica and the Vernamfield project will be some of the areas which will receive immediate attention from incoming Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry.
Mr. Henry spoke with our news centre minutes after his appointment was announced.
"But basically I am going to quickly have a look at the Air Jamaica situation to see how we can as soon as possible see how to address it in terms of its drag on the budget; two, the development of Vernam Field and three try to assess the contracts that are out there which need to be addressed and brought on stream in the quickest time and the actual figures. And of course the transport elements which must now be brought together to make it more economically viable for people to move quickly across the country," said Mr. Henry.
Meanwhile, incoming Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles says he accepted his appointment with humility.
Mr. Charles says he is ready to take charge of the two portfolios.
"You know I have spent my whole life in the working class movement and so my appointment to the Ministry of Labour would not be a problem. Social Security to deal with from the womb to the tomb, I love that and in just a few days I will be able to give you a reaction in terms of what is happening. The Prime Minister has given it to me to do that and I am going to give it my best shot," said Mr. Charles.
In the meantime, Andrew Holness who will take on the challenging Education portfolio also spoke with RJR News Wednesday night on his main area of focus as Minister.
"My first priority will be to focus on Early Childhood Education and to deal with the quality of our education. Quality has to measured and one of the variables that we look at when we measure quality is the result we get from GSAT and CXC and we want to increase and improve those results," said Mr. Holness.
And, Dr. Christopher Tufton who is scheduled to be sworn in Friday as Agriculture Minister says he has big plans for the sector.
Dr. Tufton, who appeared on RJR's Jamaica Speaks programme Wednesday night, said there will be a drive to further increase the use of technology in agriculture,.
"I think it can be dealt with, it's a critical industry that employs 18 per cent of the labour force but only generates six per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) so there is a competitive or productivity issue that must be dealt with," said Dr. Tufton.
"The party leader and myself and others have argued for a greater level of technology in agriculture as well as the need for value added and marketing expertise. I am trained in marketing that's what I teach, or used to teach at the University (of the West Indies) and I believe I have the discipline to apply all I need is a team to work with me," he continued.
He says efforts will also be made to attract more young people to farming.