ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada, CMC – Newly-installed Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has disclosed key aspects of his cabinet, ahead of this weekend’s expected formal announcement.

In a television interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday night, Thomas, whose National Democratic Congress (NDC) swept the incumbent New National Party from office in Tuesday’s general election, said he had already identified persons to fill positions in his new administration.

 

Among the line up will be several NDC members who previously served in the opposition’s shadow cabinet. This includes Nazim Burke, who was likely to be named Minister of Finance, Patrick Simmons, Minister of Sports and Youth Development and Michael Denis Lett, Minister of Agriculture.

 

Thomas further revealed that he would retain the crucial National Security and Information portfolios as part of his new cabinet that was likely to be of a similar size to that of the previous 11-member Keith Mitchell-led cabinet.

 

Thomas also said he was prepared to put the necessary checks and balances in place to ensure there was good governance in the country.

 

He also emphasised the need for a distinction between party and the State.

 

“We are not going to use State resources to promote any partisan politics as was done in the past,” he told CMC, adding that emphasis would be placed on the “service aspect of governance in Grenada”.

 

“We see ourselves as providing a service and we are going to use the resources in the country for the benefit of the people,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister said the first priority of his government was to unite the people of Grenada.

 

The NDC’s election manifesto also speaks to the question of the high cost of living and promises to reduce import duties and other levies on a select basket of essential goods.

 

When pressed to give a timeframe for action on this matter, Thomas said dialogue would be held “as quickly as possible” with importers to assist in getting supplies from cheaper sources, as well as to increase food production in the country.

 

The NDC took 11 of the 15 seats at stake in the July 8 poll, with the remaining four going to the NNP.

 

CMC/2008