Gov’t reshuffles public service hierarchy, appoints new Permanent Secretaries

The Andrew Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party administration has restructured the public service hierarchy. “New and existing Permanent Secretaries have been appointed and have received their assignments within the ministries of government,” a government-commissioned release said on Friday, August 30.

The appointments will take effect between the September 4 and 9, the release further said.

New appointments

The new Permanent Secretaries include Kedrick Malone, who will be assigned to the Premier’s Office for six months in the first instance on a contractual basis.

Malone, who holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is also a close relative of the Health Minister Carvin Malone, served in various capacities such as Executive Director of BVI Finance, Director of the BVI London Office and Director of the BVI Tourist Board.

The second new Permanent Secretary is former Head of the Department of Disaster Management, Sharleen Dabreo-Lettsome.

She will be the new Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor. DaBreo-Lettsome has a Master of Science in Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management.

New posts

In the meantime, several Permanent Secretaries have been given new posts.

They include the current Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, who holds a Master’s degree in Public Service and Administration. She will be moved to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture.

The current Permanent Secretary in that ministry Dr Marcia Potter will be transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration.

The outgoing Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Ronald Smith-Berkeley will be transferred to the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities.

Petrona Davies will remain in her capacity as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

Commenting on the restructure, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr who supervises the Permanent Secretaries said: “I am confident in the competence and commitment of our current cadre of Permanent Secretaries and their ability to advance Government’s agenda while leading a dynamic public service.”

The Permanent Secretaries serve as chief advisors on the strategic management, leadership and execution of subjects within their assigned ministries. They will also oversee the overall coordination and administration of the ministry and ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with Government policies, procedures and global standards