While detailing his recent efforts to shore up relations with the United Kingdom during a May 16 press conference, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley also announced the creation of the new Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
While he will serve as the minister overseeing the portfolio, Dr. Wheatley said the ministry will stand separately from the Premier’s Office.
Under the previous administration, the subjects were housed in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration. But the post-election reshuffle saw that ministry replaced by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour and Trade.
Natural resources, meanwhile, was added to the premier’s portfolio but left without a named ministry.
Now, that has changed.
“This demonstrates the importance we assign to the environment and all the critical issues involved in its preservation and sustainable use, as well as the existential threat of climate change,” Dr. Wheatley said last week.