Dionne Rose and Petrina Francis, Staff Reporters
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (front centre) stands with members of her Cabinet shortly after yesterday's swearing-in ceremony at King's House.
From left back row: Dean Peart, Minister of Local Government and Environment; Horace Dalley, Minister of Health; Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Housing, Transport and Works; Derrick Kellier, Minister of Labour and Social Security; Colin Campbell, Minister of Information and Development. From left middle: Senator A.J. Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General; Anthony Hylton, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology (with energy), Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning. From left front row: Aloun Assamba, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture; Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security; Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education and Youth; and Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture and Land. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller has warned the members of her 14-member Cabinet that she expects hard work and results from them as they set about tackling crime and violence, unemployment and alleviating poverty.
She gave the charge shortly after her new team took the oath of allegiance and received their Instruments of Office from Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall before hundreds of persons on the lawns of King's House, St. Andrew, yesterday.
"People expect us to work and to show results. This must be an action Cabinet for I intend to lead an action team," said Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was sworn in as Prime Minster on Thursday. "I have the energy! I have put on my working shoes so you had better put on your working shoes as well!"
She said she was already fit for the job at hand and warned her team to get into shape.
"The people are not giving us any honeymoon. I had my one honeymoon already, I don't need any more" she quipped.
URGENT MATTERS
Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was dressed in a black and white skirt suit said there were urgent matters that were started by the last Cabinet, which must be completed.
The Prime Minister said she had confidence in the team she has put together to ensure unity.
Among the list of things she said needed to be urgently addressed were: unemployment, safeguarding the living standards of senior citizens, economic growth, social justice and crime.
She also urged her team to listen to the voice of the people.
"They demand, not ask, for performance. They demand, not ask, for probity and accountability. They demand, not ask, for integrity. If we fail to listen to the people, then our democratic system provides a way for them to be heard decisively," she said.
SCRIPTURE READING
The new Prime Minister ended her message with two scripture readings from the Apostle Paul and King Solomon.
Mrs. Simpson Miller also paid tribute to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
She also acknowledged the work done by the former Cabinet, including the contributions made by Senator Burchell Whiteman and her harshest critic during the presidential race, K.D. Knight, who stood and bowed to the crowd as she acknowledged him for his 17 years as a member of the Cabinet.
