Reginald Austrie, has been named Deputy Prime Minister in a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Tuesday.
Austrie, who famously said in parliament in July 2013 that he graduated from college in the jungles of Guyana, was Minister for Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management.
Skerrit explained the rationale for the move.
“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,” he stated. “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 the harnessing and coordination of the various ministries.”
He said Austrie will be assigned the portfolio of Agriculture. He replaces former Agriculture Minister, Johnson Drigo, who has been relinquished to the post of Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Lands.
“That individual, incidentally, shall also be assigned the all-important portfolio of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries because, 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 that sector will henceforth be overseen and spearheaded by none other than the new Deputy Prime Minister of the country,” Skerrit said. “So yes, housing and agriculture shall be the two key pillars, overseen by the two most senior members of the new-look cabinet of Dominica.”
Dno even this is a new low for you. I am going to assume this was an error and not a malicious attempt of anything. The prime minister in the address said leadership CANNOT or can’t be bequeathed to someone. Whydo you have CAN?????
ADMIN: Please read again the quote is: “…as I do not believe the issue of leadership is something that can be bequeathed from one leader to another,”
Say all what u want my people, but our Cabinet in this 2018 as compared to the rest of the OECS is a far cry, leaves much to be desired. Further, to appoint Austrie as deputy Prime Minister is truly scraping from the bottom of the Barrel..and that is no offense to the Man, Austrie despite his boisterous behaviour is a Dominican and may have some good qualities but in so many years of being in Gov’t, what is his landmark legacy? or that of any of the other Cabinet Members?
This government continue to celebrate and reward mediocrity. While individuals benefit personally, the country and mass populace recedes into poverty. Look at our infrastructure, our institutions, our productive sectors, our Tourism product, our exports!!…What have we to celebrate? The largest Cabinet percapita of non-performers..I mean Come on!!!..
Skerro making moves boy, chess de man playing not checkers, laborats doh even know what going on I hope they get their galvanize already
This Minister speaks in the most uncultured and uncouth manner. Loud noise is usually a big shield to obscure emptiness.
When I heard Reggie was Deputy PM- I sold my passport–I am out.
Honourable Lennox Linton for Prime Minister
We still voting UWP all the WAY
AS I sat and read ,strictly negative comments.Nothing substantial to make you ponder and put your thinking cap….PLEASE GIVE THE NAME A CHANCE TO SUCCEED .The Deputy Prime Minister has to move with confidence..He needs to be aware that he has greater responsibilities.He cannot operate as he use too..In spite of his political aggressiveness,he is very articulate.
He will do his best to uplift Agriculture.Let wish him well..Congrats Mr.Austrie
Skerrit is preparing for taking his rightful place as president
I concur with you but not that it is rightful. I would not want to live in our little republic should that happen.
It also means that he may be afraid of being prosecuted because as president he would enjoy imunity. He is a coward who does not want to be held to account or questioned by ayone.
Skerrit is making it aware to the people of Dominica that he is a dictator and that Dominica is a fail state, so don’t blame the man for ruling with an iron fist, I put the blame right at the foot of the people of Dominica there are to much Judas on that Island . Politic and Religion don’t go hand in hand .
So what!!???? Dominicans are tooooo critical of other people
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
So in othyer words, you and Austrie will both head the two sectors that have been receiving the most cash donations post Maria? Chief and dseputy?
You forgot the two are thick as thiefs in running Petro Carib and our national petroleum company. No, not the one from. T & T but pour own, which the government owns 100%.
You know Austrie will never get a chance to say anything. He will never act a PM not on Skerrit watch, he just get this post because he was useless in his post.
That’s just loyalty buying, Dominicans can see right through that
Austrie the cow meat minister,what a joke in Dominica.
This move is another sign that Skerrit’ has no plans whatsoever to build back agriculture. I mean every cabinet decision of his he has always given the ministry of agriculture to a failed Minister he believes will put a nail in the coffin of agriculture, so since he knows Reggie has FAILED in every ministry, he now takes him from the comfort of an air condition room and throw him in the dirt of the farm and to make him accept it as a promotion he went on to attach Deputy Pm to it. Although he will never be PM, this is definitely bad news for Joseph Isaac, whose dream of being pm is dead. In fact his political future might even have ended because Rubbie will be Skerrit’s candidate for Roseau and even if he were to contest as an independent in an effort to take some uwp votes, that too will not even happen because uwp vote will even increase in Roseau Central
So does Skerrit now think he going to die or his time is quickly approaching? Almost 10 years without a deputy although Austria has been with him all along andonly now he sees it fit to have a deputy let alone Austria? Skerrit seems to know what is coming his wsy
That time is appointed for everyone so shut up :Its my damn business” you all dont like good for eachother.
So you will be Issac boss when PM travels. the same Issac you told us that he took the social security money (how did you say it, that sound like a thief to me) The same Issac whom u said was the only man to coolay the bakery in Dominica and how he expect to be Minister of Economist… LOL well so now you have a thief and incompetent minister to supervise …ALAS..Dominica is a real pappy show country. LOL
Pappyshow? Alas I can’t stop laughing ? but what you said is really true. DNO am always so happy to go on your site to read what’s going on in Dominica ?? keep up the good work. You’re one of the best ❤️
Austrie voice is like he always ready to give you a “Ma pwie”
But is just like Lennox.. Haven’t you listen to the tone of arrogance in Lennox’s voice?
It’s like his way or the highway.
I agree, he is arogant, but regie? Mr is a man that would sallay you lol
Do not burn our Constitution, The voice of the people, is the voice of God. History will not be kind to us, if you cannot Beat them, join them? The evidence suggest, that in the Land of the Blind, the one eye is Giant.
I’m sorry it our constitution does not provide for the appointment of a permanent deputy (acting) Prime Minister.
No constitution no law can stop de man ( Skerit ) from appointing a deputy . Dominica has become the laughing stock of the world .
But Reginald had Housing Ministry and he was failing miserable as a Senior Minister.( Petit Savanne people still homeless)
So you really expect him to do any better in Agriculture our main pillar of growth.
This guy Skerrit don’t have a clue…..there is little between his ears when it comes to country productive strategy.
But Real!!!!!!!!!!! what you saying noh??? But houses are being built in Bellevue Chopin for Petite Savanne people. I saw them with my own eyes. So you just like to talk and be a parrot. Awa non.
????????The Moroccan Hotel still being built…SMH…….and I know you saw it with your own eyes.
Hope you get the picture, now I sincerely hope you have the the ability to think and not only just use your eyes.
i hope that he change that angry tune of voice.
Desperate times Skerrit,Dominica is failing,get out,cant believe how our people continue to support you.
jihan elaborate to me how Dominica is failing. People support him because he is working and I am sure that you cannot see the strides made even after that castastrophic hurricane. You have to be grateful for little to be able to get more and more. Jehovah does not like ungratefulness.
Nor does he like hypocrisy. Stop it.