Rumours of a reshuffle

Sources said the economy; a $92,000 additional expense for hotel accommodation and food for an awards ceremony; and the rampant crime situation which saw a priest recently hogtied and robbed, Chinese businesspeople being murdered and yesterday, a schoolboy and his elderly care giver having their throats slit, were weighing heavily on Rowley’s mind.

The last Cabinet reshuffle — the first of Rowley’s administration — took place on October 31 and saw MPs Nicole Ollivierre (La Brea) and Ancil Antoine (D’Abadie/O’Meara) and Sarah Budhu being relieved of the Energy Ministry, Public Utilities Ministry and Government Senator portfolios, respectively.

Rohan Sinanan and Kazim Hosein were appointed Government Senators and given the Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government portfolios, respectively. Also, Fitzgerald Hinds was reassigned from the Works and Transport Ministry to that of Public Utilities while Frankly Khan was moved from the Local Govt Ministry to the Ministry of Energy. Government sources last night claimed not knowing whose Cabinet necks were on the chopping block.