Rudolph
Brown/Jamaica Gleanner
Prime
Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller in a tete-a-tete with
Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies in Parliament on Tuesday, February
28. Dr. Davies is expected to retain his portfolio in a Cabinet
which will be sworn in on March 31
The
Jamaica Gleanner
Kingston
Petroleumworld.com
03 19 06
PORTIA
SIMPSON Miller will officially become Jamaica's seventh Prime
Minister on March 30, one day before a new Cabinet will be sworn
in.
Mrs.
Simpson Miller announced yesterday that the opening of the new
legislative year, delivery of the Throne Speech by the Governor-General
and the tabling of the Estimates of Expenditure will take place
on April 12. She made the disclosure yesterday during a post-Cabinet
press briefing at Jamaica House, St. Andrew.
Meanwhile,
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson announced that he will proceed
on retirement on March 30, the same day on which he will tender
his resignation to Governor-General Kenneth Hall. He said that
in keeping with the desire for a seamless transition of leadership,
Mrs. Simpson Miller will be sworn in as the new Prime Minister
on that same day.
Mr.
Patterson was also addressing reporters at yesterday's post-Cabinet
press briefing.
BRIEFING
PORTIA
He
revealed that at a meeting of the National Executive Council
of the People's National Party on March 26, his resignation
will be officially acknowledged by the party. At that time,
the baton of leadership will be passed to Mrs. Simpson Miller.
According
to Mr. Patterson, "There is a large number of matters with
which the Prime Minister-designate needs to be fully briefed
and involved."
He
explained that "Some were of an external nature, and some
pertaining to matters of external relations and internal matters
relating to intelligence and security."
He
said a number of things were being undertaken, but the Government
continued to function effectively.
WORKING
CLASS SUPPORT
Mrs.
Simpson Miller, the first woman to head the Government, grabbed
the coveted prize of president-elect of the ruling People's
National Party (PNP) on February 25, following a keenly fought
four-candidate contest. She defeated PNP Vice-presidents Dr.
Peter Phillips and Dr. Karl Blythe, as well as Region Three
Chairman Dr. Omar Davies. Her victory has triggered tumultuous
celebrations, largely among women and the working class.
A
Gleaner-commissioned poll, which was published in last Sunday's
Gleaner, reported that a large number - 57 per cent - of Jamaicans
want Mrs. Simpson Miller to be allowed to begin her administration
as soon as possible.
The
poll sample was 1,008 citizens, with a margin of error plus
or minus three per cent.
The
individuals interviewed were asked if they thought Mr. Patterson
should resign now or stay on as Prime Minister for another three
to four weeks if he so desires. Only 38 per cent believed he
should stay, while another five per cent did not know.
