Reshuffle sees ex-UWP member in Dominica cabinet

A reshuffle in Dominica has seen ex-United Workers Party MP Joseph Isaac promoted to the cabinet – just a week after he announced he would sit as an independent.

He has now been named minister of the environment, climate resilience, disaster management and urban renewal by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

But it appears that Isaac has not joined the governing Dominica Labour Party, despite his new role.

Skerrit described the newly created ministry as "necessary" in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's destruction in September 2017.

"After consultation with senior members of the government and governing Dominica Labour Party, I subsequently contacted Mr Isaac and extended to him an invitation to serve in the government of Dominica in the capacity as a minister of government.," Skerrit said.

"Hon Isaac, after consulting with his key advisors, accepted that invitation and will therefore feature in the new look cabinet of ministers."

The prime minister added that he was "satisfied" with Isaac's focus  "in wanting to help the people of Roseau Central, and to put his skills and services at the disposal of the government in the building of the new Dominica.”

The new cabinet in Dominica

Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Investments, Housing and Lands

Reginald Austrie: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture Food and Fisheries

Levi A Peter: Attorney General

John Collin McIntyre: Minister for Public Works, Water Resource Management and Ports

Joseph Isaac: Minister for the Environment, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management and Urban Renewal

Kenneth Darroux: Minister for Health and Social Services

Senator Miriam Blanchard: Minister for Planning, and Economic Development

Senator Robert Tonge: Minister for Tourism and Culture

-Catherine Lady Daniel: Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Family and Gender Affairs

Justina Charles: Minister for Youth, Sports, and Constituency Empowerment

Rayburn Blackmoore: Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security

Senator Francine Baron: Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs

Ian Douglas: Minister for Trade, Energy and Employment

Petter Saint-Jean: Minister for Education and Human Resource Development

Roselyn Paul: Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development

Kelver Darroux: Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology

Casius Darroux: Minister for Kalinago Affairs

Johnson Drigo: Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Lands

Ivor Stephenson: Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services