Ministers Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Pauline Sukhai have both pledged to continue working to resolve outstanding issues as the newly installed heads of the foreign affairs and Amerindian affairs offices respectively.
Rodrigues-Birkett who previously occupied the post of Amerindian affairs minister said her first priority as the new head at the foreign ministry is to assess the work and staff in order to continue projecting a positive image of the country.
As regard territorial issues, she said that the problems between Guyana and Venezuela “were very old issues” that would be continually addressed with the aim of resolving them. Rodrigues-Birkett is Guyana’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sukhai, the newly installed Amerindian affairs minister said she is looking forward to further developing Amerindian communities at all levels and to complete the demarcation of lands for indigenous communities.
Shortly after Rodrigues-Birkett took the oath of office by swearing on the Bible, Sukhai took her oath of office by way of affirmation. The ministers took their oaths in the presence of Cabinet members, former President Janet Jagan, relatives and friends.
In brief remarks President Bharrat Jagdeo said that he was impressed with the quality of their work.
Jagdeo also said their appointments were due to their commitment to hard work. He said too their appointment increases the number of women now serving in the Cabinet.
Rodrigues-Birkett replaces Rudy Insanally, a career diplomat, who took office in 2001 but resigned due to ill health.
Both Rodrigues-Birkett and Sukhai hail from Santa Rosa, Moruca in Region One (Barima/Waini).
