15 Ministers Sworn, 2 New Ministers Sparking an Online Debate

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Notwithstanding the rain Saturday morning, Government House was filled to capacity with family members, friends, and supporters for the official swearing-in of 15 elected members of Parliament and senators to their ministerial positions.

With the exception of the Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey, Davis has now assembled his new cabinet.

Saturday’s appointments also included Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Leslia Miller-Brice, and Minister of Innovation and National Development, Sebastian Bastian.

Their appointments sparked an immediate online debate, with questions referencing the section 25 (c) of the 2014 Gaming Act.

The section says any that anyone with a gaming employee license cannot sit on a board, or become a member of cabinet, along with their spouse or an immediate family member.

So, we asked both the newly appointed ministers about the stipulation in the Gaming Act, and they gave us this response:

Leslia Miller-Brice – Minister of Culture, Arts & Heritage

“We have taken the proactive steps necessary, we have engaged with the Gaming Board, and so we’ve done all that we can to follow the rules and the guidelines that the gaming board has put in place.”

“Now this gives me and Mr.Bastian an opportunity to take on the role of serving in the capacity as cabinet ministers.”

Sebastian Bastian – Minister of Innovation & National Development

“We would have done work with the regulator to ensure that we were compliant and met all of the regulatory conditions which were a prerequisite obviously to the appointments.”

“I’m confident that they’ve been satisfied, any additional questions towards that you can direct them to The Bahamas Gaming Board.”

In March of this year, Bastian resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Gaming House Island Luck after leading the operation for 17 years.

Then, Leander Brice the husband of Miller-Brice reportedly resigned from his post as CEO of GLK Limited T/ A Sure Win Gaming House prior to the announcement on Saturday.

Following Miller-Brice and Bastian remarks at Government House, we spoke with a representative from the gaming board who indicated that an official statement will be released on Monday.

The ministerial list of appointments on Saturday also includes:

Minister of National Security – Myles Laroda

Minister of Transport – Leon Lundy

Minister of Urban Renewal and Community Relations – Lisa Rahming

Jerome FitzGerald – Senator & Minister of Economic Affairs

Barbara Cartwright – Senator & Minister of Social Services

Also sworn on Saturday as minister of states were:

Minister of State for Health and Wellness – Owen Wells

Minister of State for Immigration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Darron Pickstock

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, McKell Bonaby

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Kirk Cornish

Minister of State for Agriculture and Marine Services with responsibility for BAMSI, Leonardo Lightbourne

Minister of State for Innovation and National Development, Wayde Watson

Minister of State for Social Services, Bacchus Rolle

The formalities and celebrations will continue at Government House on Monday, as parliamentary secretaries are anticipated to receive their instruments.