With two senior ministers reported to be seeking retirement there will be a cabinet reshuffle and there may be a reduction in the number of ministers and a reshuffle of permanent secretaries, as well.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has told the media more than once that he intends to reshuffle his cabinet as he looks for maximum performance in the ministries, although he would not be drawn on the time-frame.
At least two sources have told Stabroek News that two senior ministers who were seeking retirement since the last cabinet are anxious to leave.
The two, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally and Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, may be granted their wish during the first quarter of the New Year, although who will replace them is unclear.
Some have speculated that attorney-at-law Moses Nagamootoo might be replacing Insanally. Stabroek News understands it was one of two ministerial positions in which Nagamootoo had expressed interest following the 2006 general and regional elections.
It is not clear whether Nagamootoo was offered any ministerial position at that time but this newspaper had reported that the president and Nagamootoo were to discuss in what position he would serve in the government. It was believed to have been in an advisory capacity to the President.
Nagamootoo previously served as Minister of Infor-mation and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development from 1992 to 2001.
Several persons with whom this newspaper spoke said they believed that PPP/C MP and attorney at law Anil Nandlall would replace Doodnauth Singh as Attorney General, although that is left to be seen. Nandlall has not hidden the fact that he would like to serve in Jagdeo’s cabinet.
The sources said that at least two ministers who attracted adverse media attention recently are also targeted for removal. The two are reported to be Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall and Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsarran.
Stabroek News understands that Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is regarded as doing a good job and there might not be any replacement for Dr Ramsarran. This newspaper understands too that President Jagdeo is seeking to reduce the number of ministers and detach some portfolios from certain ministries.
This might mean that Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services, Social Security and Labour Priya Manickchand, who many believe is doing a good job, would be upgraded to senior minister.
However, it is not known whether Manzoor Nadir, the senior minister, who holds the portfolio for Labour in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security would be shuttled to another ministry or whether Labour would be merged with a ministry such as the Ministry of Housing and Water.
Stabroek News also learnt that Minister of Housing and Water Harrinarine Nawbatt might be on his way out as well.
Some feel that Prime Minister Sam Hinds would be a part of the reshuffle but Stabroek News sources feel that is unlikely since the Prime Minister is too much of a workhorse and is very reliable. He also holds the ethnic balance in the cabinet, and as a consequence of all these considerations, it is argued, Jagdeo could not afford to lose him.
Those whom it is believed are doing a decent job and would not be touched in the reshuffle include Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Dr Henry Jeffrey, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony.
The sources said that contrary to what many believe the reshuffle would not take place during the Christmas season but during the first quarter in the New Year, most likely following the presentation of the national budget for 2008.
The President has sparred verbally with the media during informal interactions after press conferences on the reshuffle. He said it was coming but he would not say when. It is also expected that he would reshuffle a few permanent secretaries as well. (Miranda La Rose)
