Budget to be unveiled Jan. 23

In news from the first meeting of the new Cabinet, we are informed that the annual budget exercise is underway and the presentation in the House of Representatives is scheduled for Friday, January twenty-third, with the debate taking place on February sixth. The new financial year begins on the first of April.

Also announced today was the appointment of four Ministers of State. Three of them remain unchanged, namely Ainslie Leslie in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dave Burgos in the Ministry of Works, and Ismael Cal in Agriculture and Fisheries. The only new appointee is Stann Creek West representative Rodwell Ferguson, who will take over the late Agripino Cawich’s post as Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. As for the C.E.O.’s, today’s release indicates that there have been “no substantial changes” in the assignment of Chief Executive Officers. Cabinet Secretary Robert Leslie did, however, confirm to News 5 that Sergio Garcia, C.E.O. in the Ministry of Agriculture, would soon be taking on a new assignment in government. Speculation is that he will be succeeded by the current Chief Agricultural Officer, Hugh O’Brien. As for the C.E.O. vacancies in the ministries of National Development and Human Development, they are expected to be filled in the near future by people not currently working as Chief Executive Officers.