Cabinet names new slate of CEOs
Under the constitution of Belize it is the body known as Cabinet that wields the nation’s executive power. But anyone who knows the system can tell you that no matter how smart or well intentioned a Cabinet minister may be, he or she will have little success in the absence of a competent chief executive officer. At yesterday’s first Cabinet meeting of the second Musa administration, those ministers bargained and bartered and finally came up with the new C.E.O. assignments. Like the ministerial appointments themselves, there are a few surprises and a number of familiar faces no longer in the picture. Here’s the list.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
In the Ministry of Education, former C.E.O. Dorian Barrow has been replaced with Marian McNab…McNab is currently serving as C.E.O. for Public Service and she is expected to manage both ministries until a new C.E.O. for public service is appointed.
In the Ministry of Finance, Hugh McSweaney, steps in as C.E.O., taking over from his former colleague Joe Waight.
Cresencio Sosa will sit as the second C.E.O. in the finance ministry in charge of Revenue. Both Sosa and McSweaney have worked under former budget minister Ralph Fonseca who is now Minister of Finance.
Military man Alan Usher stays on familiar territory as C.E.O. for the Ministry of Home Affairs, as does Deon Pascascio, who will continue to man the desk at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Economic Development.
Eberto May says goodbye to the Social Security Board and heads over to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications with fellow Corozaleño minister Vildo Marin. A new chairman for S.S.B. has yet to be named.
David Gibson will keep the navigating diplomatic channels in Belmopan as C.E.O. in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The Ministry of Housing will change bosses from Dickie to Cordel, but Sandra Hall will provide continuity by remaining as C.E.O.
Roy Cayetano keeps his desk at the Ministry of Rural Development, now absorbed in the ministries of Human Development, Labour and Local Government.
Sergio Garcia remains firmly planted in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries while, Henry Anderson will continue checking the pulse of the nation as C.E.O. in the Ministry of Health.
And lastly, new Minister of Defence and National Emergency Sylvia Flores will be able to rely on the experience of veteran public officer Anthony Sylvester as her C.E.O.
According to Cabinet Secretary Bobby Leslie, government will try to find positions for those former C.E.O.s who would still like to remain in government service. The ceremonial opening of the National Assembly has been scheduled for Friday, April fourth. In other news out of Belmopan, Cabinet will name chairmanships and members of standing committees at the first regular sitting of the House of Representatives. The date of that house meeting has yet to be announced.
