Skerritt Gets Ministerial Appointment

Former West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt has been sworn in as Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister in the St Kitts/Nevis Federal Cabinet.

The incumbent Labour Party was returned to office after General Elections were held on Monday 25 October 2004, approximately four months before they were constitutionally due.

Senator Designate Skerritt, who did not contest the elections and is therefore not a Member of Parliament, will have responsibility for Tourism, Sports and Culture in the ministry which is headed by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas.

With the St Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister also being responsible for Finance, Technology and Sustainable Development, the former West Indies cricket team manager will no doubt be expected to carry out much of the work of that important ministry.

With St Kitts winning the right to host games in the preliminary round of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, this is a significant appointment for Skerritt who headed the Local Organizing Committee set up to deliver St Kitts? bid.

Tourism has also been seen as an engine of growth for the economy, with revenues dwindling from sugar exports which once ruled this twin island state. The construction of the 900 room Marriott Hotel a few years ago signaled the serious intent of the government to diversify the economy and the presence of more cruise ships in Basseterre?s port also bears witness to this relatively new thrust.

Senator Designate Skerritt replaces Minister Dwyer Astaphan who has been selected to head the new Ministry of National Security and Justice to deal with the spiraling crime wave, according to Prime Minister Douglas.