Dionne Rose and Petrina Francis, Staff Reporters
A teary-eyed Richard Azan (left), newly-appointed State Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Transport and Works, expresses his joy while addressing journalists at King's House, yesterday. Looking on is Florence Azan, an aunt-in-law. The occasion was the swearing-in cermony for the 12 Ministers of State appointed by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
AN EMOTIONAL Richard Azan, Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, was so overcome with joy yesterday that he found it difficult to fight back the tears after being sworn in as State Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Transport and Works.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at King's House, saw 11 of 12 junior ministers taking the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office. When reporters attempted to speak with Mr. Azan after the ceremony, he was lost for words, but said he was happy to be appointed junior minister.
He said "work" will be on his agenda and urged Jamaicans to support his ministry.
Mr. Azan, a 'new kid on the block' as it relates to representing a ministry, will join Dr. Fenton Ferguson in the 'super ministry'.
Yesterday, Information Minister Colin Campbell announced that Dr. Ferguson would be moving to the Health Ministry, while Harry Douglas would work with Mr. Azan in Housing.
However, yesterday the Office of the Prime Minister indicated that Dr. Ferguson had in fact been appointed to Housing and Mr. Douglas to Local Government and Environment.
Meanwhile, Senator Kern Spencer, who was promoted from parliamentary secretary to junior minister in the Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology, said that he was not surprised by the appointment.
"I know that I have been somebody who has been working extremely hard," Senator Spencer said. "I am extremely happy that the Prime Minister has seen it fit to appoint a young person to ensure that the voices of the young people are heard."
Victor Cummings, another newcomer to the team of junior ministers, said he was excited to be appointed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land.
LOTS OF WORK TO BE DONE
"I am pleasantly surprised, but I am excited to be of service," he told The Gleaner. "There is lots of work to be done and I am ready to go to work."
Meanwhile Fitz Jackson, who retained his position as junior minister in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, said his reappointment comes at a challenging time. "There is great desire on the part of the Government to bring the impasse with the public sector unions to a conclusion in the earliest possible time," he said.
