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Vaz shifted... Removed from land portfolio, given water and housing

Published:Wednesday | June 24, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Vaz ... will be tasked with ensuring that water and housing projects are accelerated and that economic projects like the Special Economic Zones become a reality in short order

Daryl Vaz has been stripped of ministerial responsibility for land and the environment.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Jamaica House said Prime Minister Andrew Holness has instead assigned him responsibility for the water and housing portfolios.

This coincides with the controversy over Vaz' withdrawn bid to lease the Holywell lands.

READ: Why Daryl Vaz wanted Holywell lands

Jamaica House said Leslie Campbell, the newly sworn in minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, will assume responsibility for Land, Environment and Climate Change.

Leslie Campbell appointed Minister without portfolio in Ministry ...
IN PHOTO: Leslie Campbell signs his Instrument of Office after being sworn in as Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation at Kings House on June 22, 2020. Looking on is Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

Meanwhile, Jamaica House said Vaz will be tasked with ensuring that water and housing projects are accelerated and that economic projects like the Special Economic Zones become a reality in short order.

"This is a necessary part of the Government’s recovery strategy from the COVID-19 economic fallout," said a Jamaica House spokesperson in a release.

Jamaica House also said Prime Minister Holness has said the entire focus of the government must be on ensuring that Jamaica recovers stronger from the pandemic.

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