(CMR) Sources have revealed that there is a pending shakeup in the Cabinet, with at least one Minister, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, to be removed from her ministry because she is not supporting the Government's position on the National Conservation Act.
Political rumors are that the plan is to remove Ebanks-Wilks and give Dwayne “John John” Seymour, the current Minister of Border Control, Labour & Culture, her portfolio. A part of Seymour's current portfolio would then be given to Kenneth Bryan, the Minister of Tourism.
Senior members of the United People's Movement are reportedly discussing significant changes to the law to address the extent to which the National Conservation Council can direct other government bodies, including by requiring Environmental Impact Assessments for major projects.
However, there is said to be a division among members with some not agreeing to the changes. The UPM government has not spoken publicly on the matter; however, CMR understands Parliament was postponed until 5 July to give the administration time to draft the changes to the conservation legislation and still allow the 21-day consultation period before the MPs debate the law.
Former Premier Wayne Panton has questioned the UPM's rushed agenda, stating that the National Conservation Act ” was not a piece of rushed legislation. It was talked about for more than a decade – by no less than three government administrations – before it was eventually passed in 2013.”
Panton, who also discussed the issue with Sandra Hill on The Cold Hard Truth, said the NCC has not slowed down the construction industry because statistics show a significant increase since the council was implemented.
“If anything, there is a strong feeling in the country that we are doing too much development, that we are changing too fast, and our people find it overwhelming,” Panton stated.