Reginald Austrie named Deputy Prime Minister in Cabinet reshuffle but Skerrit takes his Housing Portfolio

Reginald Austrie has been named Deputy Prime Minister in Tuesdays Cabinet Reshuffle, although Dominica’s Constitution does not provide for that position.  Meanwhile, Skerrit took Austrie’s Housing Portfolio for himself, in addition to all of the other ministries in his portfolio. Austrie had said in parliament in July 2013, that he graduated from college in the jungles of Guyana.
 
Skerrit attempted to rationale the inclusion of a Deputy Prime Minister by saying, “I believe the time for this has come, not necessarily from a successor perspective, as I do not believe the issue of leadership is something that can be bequeathed from one leader to another. However, I believe that for matters of continuity and seamless transition in the day to day functioning of government, there is benefit at this time, in my naming a Deputy Prime Minister, who shall not only act as Prime Minister in my absence from the country, but who shall also be tasked with several administrative functions in harnessing and coordinating the various ministries.”
 
He said Austrie will be assigned the portfolio of Agriculture Food and Fisheries, replacing former Agriculture Minister, Johnson Drigo, who has been moved to the post of Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Lands.
 
Skerrit added, “just as Housing will be overseen by me, as head of government, I want also to send a strong and clear signal to the agricultural community that their sector will henceforth be overseen and spearheaded by none other than the new Deputy Prime Minister of the country. So housing and agriculture shall be the two key pillars, overseen by the two most senior members of the new-look cabinet of Dominica.”