PRIME MINISTER OWEN ARTHUR says his Cabinet reshuffle last Saturday is designed to boost Government's implementation strategy over the next two years, and broaden the scope of some of his ministers.

Speaking yesterday via phone on Starcom Network's call-in programme Down To Brass Tacks, he said he would now have "greater scope to co-ordinate the work of Government".

In particular, he welcomed the inclusion of former Opposition Leader Clyde Mascoll into the Ministry of Finance.

Mascoll was named Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office after he switched allegiances by resigning from the Democratic Labour Party last month.

"One of the strategic considerations I have among all this is the opportunity to have Mr Clyde Mascoll to work with the Government of Barbados.

"To deploy his tremendous skills would allow me to still have a watching eye on the Ministry of Finance, but [also] to have somebody in Finance who can be a substantive minister while allowing me greater scope to do things that a Prime Minister as chairman of Cabinet should do."

He said Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley's shift from Attorney-General to the new Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development was to facilitate Government's implementation strategy.

"I'm trying to focus a Government for the next two years in the direction of implementation. We've just published a National Strategic Plan and it is important that we go eagerly into implementation.

"Miss Mottley is assuming a responsibility effectively like a minister of implementation.

"She takes over economic affairs with the strategic plan in mind, Government's capital programmes, two important ministries – international business and manufacturing – where the challenges are considerable and where we need to press on with implementation."

With regard to Elizabeth Thompson, who goes from Minister of Housing and Lands and the Environment to Minister of Energy and the Environment, the Prime Minister indicated she was moving to another high-profile ministry.

"One of the considerations that will be uppermost in our minds in the next two to two-and-a-half years will be the impact of energy on the national economy.

"Perhaps one of the most important of all ministries at this time is Energy."

Arthur also explained the political reasoning behind his reshuffle.

"I am trying my best in this third term to create opportunities for people to broaden their political experiences and perspectives.

"Miss Mottley has hitherto known what it was like to be in Education; as Attorney-General [she was] deeply embroiled in legal issues, [but] never had the opportunity to carry an economic portfolio. You have to broaden people's scope," he said.

"Miss Thompson has never really carried an economic sector as well; she must be broadened.

"Mr (Reginald) Farley has been largely in the economic realm; I'm trying to broaden his scope into the social.

"You do these things to create a broader environment within which your colleagues can grow."

(BW)