Dicey juggle for Campbell

THE APPOINTMENT of Leslie Campbell as minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation might represent a gift to a Holness loyalist, says political commentator Dr Christopher Charles.

Yesterday, Jamaica House said that Prime Minister Andrew Holness recommended the appointment of the St Catherine North East member of parliament to bolster the management of the country’s economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is unclear whether the prime minister’s appointment was strategically to raise Campbell’s national profile in a marginal seat with the hope of giving him a second wind as a general election draws nearer.

Stopgap measure

Charles, a professor of political and social psychology at The University of the West Indies, believes, however, that Campbell’s appointment could be a stopgap measure. After the polls, constitutionally due in early 2021, the MP might not be reappointed to the Cabinet, Charles suggested.

“Also, remember the strategic interest of the prime minister consolidating his power,” he said.

Campbell will have the task of balancing his ministerial responsibilities with servicing his constituency, which he won by a slim margin of 122 votes in 2016.

Soundings in his vast and mainly rural seat indicate that Campbell might be hard-pressed to address the needs of his constituents, many of whom have complained bitterly about the lack of water.

Residents of Redwood in St Catherine, a farming district, said that the lack of running water in the community was causing distress.

“I would like to stop using the bucket to bathe and get a proper shower in my bathroom, but from I born, I have been without water,” said Tonio McDonald, a resident.

McDonald told The Gleaner recently that transporting water to the community was a costly exercise.

“This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed, as each time you come for water, it’s at least $100. It doesn’t matter the size of the bottle,” he added.

Another resident, Seranno Smith, said that drought conditions and COVID-19 have caused increased concerns among community members.

“As a result of the condition, you find persons leaving the community to other areas. We need help, and water is our greatest need for years,” Smith said.

The National Water Commission’s field operations manager for St Catherine, Calvert Davis, said that the system would soon be regularised.

Campbell’s appointment comes as a vacancy was created in the Holness Cabinet with the passing of Shahine Robinson, the minister of labour and social security.

The 85-year-old Lester Mike Henry has since been appointed to fill that post. Karl Samuda, who was minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, was also given the job as education minister after being the nightwatchman for 15 months.

“I give my undertaking that I will serve the people of St Catherine North East and the people of Jamaica to the best of my ability,” Campbell told a small gathering at King’s House who observed a brief swearing-in ceremony.

Campbell became a lawyer in 1994 having attended St Mary’s College and the University of London. He specialises in civil matters and is also a businessman.

Meanwhile, Holness has also written to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen recommending the appointment of Tova Hamilton, an attorney-at-law, to the Senate.

Hamilton, who attended Westwood High School; The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; and the Norman Manley Law School, has been practising law since 2007.

She will be sworn in at the next sitting of the Senate.

- Rasbert Turner contributed to this story