Saint Lucia appoints 1st Differently-abled Government Minister - Jeremiah Norbert

The the Acting Governor General H.E. Cyril E.M. Charles had made a historic appointment of Jeremiah Norbert as Saint Lucia’s Government Minister responsible for Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities. The appointment was made on Monday with Norbert being the first Minister assigned to specifically look after special people living on the island.

The Minister was assigned his ministerial responsibilities for Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.

While assigning the responsibilities, PM Pierre said that the decision is to create a designated ministerial desk specifically for developing policies which empower and enrich the lives of individuals living with disabilities in Saint Lucia.

It also shows the ruling government’s commitment to build a more inclusive and equitable society by putting the needs of people first. In addition to this, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire said that he is looking forward to working with Minister Norbert. He further outlined, “I have always been a proponent for youth participation in politics and since Jeremiah’s genesis into partisan politics, I have been extremely proud of him; especially as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.”

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Minister Hilaire said that Norbert is a young man who has always made the government and people of Saint Lucia proud.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah Norbert assumed the historic role of Minister for Persons with Disabilities after his exceptional recovery from a motor vehicle accident which left him with a permanent disability in 2021.

His appointment will ensure that the disability affairs are being promoted at international levels and the differently-abled population has representation at one of the highest decision-making levels in Saint Lucia.

In addition to this, as the Minister responsible for Crime Prevention, Norbert will work with law enforcement officials, correctional officers, members of the judiciary, civic groups, NGOs as well as civil society at large in Saint Lucia to develop actionable policy solutions which will work to curb the crime incidents in the country.

During the Swearing-in ceremony of the Minister, PM Pierre also said that establishing the Ministry of Crime Prevention will support government efforts to suppress crime by coordinating the collective goodwill of civic society and execute effective interventions which will target vulnerable groups.