Fewer than nine months after their original appointment, the government’s two junior ministers traded places on Monday, Premier Andrew Fahie announced the next day.
As of Monday, Shereen Flax-Charles (R-at large) is serving as junior minister for trade and economic development, and Sharie de Castro 2019, I said that we would be unconventional, innovative, accountable and responsive, serving in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Fahie said.
Though he had not previously announced any plan to shuffle junior ministers, he implied that his motivation was his commitment to “capacity building.”
“I continue to see the benefits and merit in capacity building among elected members,” he said. “This is evident in the stellar performance of each minister who performed in the role of deputy premier, albeit on a rotational basis.”
The junior minister switch, he implied, came about for a similar reason.
“In this vein, I am pleased to announce that after re- viewing the appointment of junior ministers for the past eight months, I will follow suit with extending this initiative to the junior ministers portfolio,” he said. “It has been determined that this is in the best interest of the territory and in addition to building capacity would be effective in assisting the premier in managing and advancing critical portfolios under the Premier’s Office.”
He added that Ms. Flax-Charles’ experience in tourism will be valuable in her new role, and Ms. de Castro’s experience in business will assist in hers.