Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

The cash-strapped Grenada government is increasing its Cabinet of Ministers.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell on Tuesday announced the appointment of Minister of State for Youth, Senator Emmalin Pierre to a full-fledged Minister.

“In recognition of the huge task ahead; the enormous amount of work we plan to do in 2006; and the dedication and commitment of the Minister, I have seen it fit to promote the Minister of Youth Senator, the Honourable Emmalin Pierre from the Junior Minister position to the post of full Minister”, he told the nation.

The newest appointment comes at a time when trade unions on the island are calling on Mitchell’s ruling New National Party (NNP) government to cut back on the salaries paid to officials especially those covered under the controversial Vote 340 who are termed “Professionals”.

The promotion will result in a significant pay increase for Sen. Pierre who recently accompanied Prime Minister Mitchell on a trip to Libya.
Her take home pay will move from $50, 662 per annum to $67, 925.00 based on the Estimates given in the 2005 budget. Speculation is rife that Sen. Pierre’s elevation could shift the balance in her favour to contest the St. Andrew North-west seat for the ruling party in the next general elections.

The constituency is currently held by Alleyne Walker of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). In recent months, the NNP work in the area was being spearheaded by Stalin Romain who is believed to have lost faovur with the hierarchy of the ruling party.

Prime Minister Mitchell is said to be on the hunt for about eight new candidates for the next election. The Grenadian leader currently holds a slender one-seat majority in the House of Representatives.