Headlines:
| Smith, Minister of Energy & Mining? |
|
|
| Monday, 12 May 2008 | |
RJR News understands that current National Security
Minister Derrick Smith is heading to the Ministry of Energy, Mining and
Telecommunications.This comes as the debate continues surrounding the possible appointment of Colonel Trevor MacMillan to head the National Security Ministry. Reports of a change in the guard at the Security Ministry have been swirling since Friday in the wake of the protracted illness of sitting Minister Derrick Smith. According to sources, Mr. Smith who is still recovering from surgery is to take over a portion of the Ministry now headed by Clive Mullings. It is expected that Mr. Mullings will retain the Telecommunications sector while Mr. Smith will deal with Energy and Mining. Mr. Smith has been out of office since April 8 and Minister Without Portfolio in the Finance Ministry, Dwight Nelson has been acting in his stead. Murray to step aside  In order for Colonel MacMillan to be appointed, he would
have to be part of the Upper House.Word is that Government Senator Ian Murray will be asked to step down to make way for Colonel MacMillan. When RJR News contacted Senator Murray Monday morning, he indicated he would be prepared to speak with the media after the Prime Minister issues a statement on the matter. Mr. Murray, a deputy general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, was appointed to the Senate following the party's victory in the September polls. The Cabinet is expected to discuss the appointment of Colonel MacMillan and the re-assignment of Mr. Smith Monday. The Jamaican business community has been expressing increased concern over the spiraling murder rate and it is understood that there were calls for a stronger hand to be placed at the Security Ministry. Colonel McMillan is currently a special advisor to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. Not a one man job  In an early reaction to the possible impending
appointment of colonel McMillan Political Analyst Lloyd B. Smith said Colonel
McMillion would be able to whip the Jamaica Constabulary Force into an
effective body.However he believes one person cannot do the job. "I think that we continue to have a wrong focus where crime fighting is concerned, crime has to be approached (from all sides) and until the government of the day comes to that reality in terms of social intervention, in terms of fighting this particular monster on all fronts then it would be a waste of time." "Colonel MacMillan may be just another victim being set up to take the blame," said Mr. Smith. |