 Thank you very much Excellency Earl Charles Acting governor general deputy prime minister and ministers in the cabinet Senators let me recognize The Honorable Jerry man of its family Father say tooth and in a special way the president of the Council for the disabled mr. Marifas James The government of St. Lucia seeks to enhance its crime reduction strategies through legislative and other means Including improving the efficiency of the legal and criminal justice system The government is further attempting to enhance its crime reduction strategies by the appointment of a minister with responsibility of Crime prevention with the objective of working with all parties including political parties to prepare a multifaceted comprehensive and inclusive national plan to address the growing citizen security challenge the minister is instructed and And expected to work with all responsible partners To develop a comprehensive national plan to address the root cause of criminal activity particularly murders generated crimes gang warfare and rivalry The intention is to work with and use all existing plans strategies documents and organizations That aim at making our country a more peaceful place It is not our intention to reinvent the wheel But to use the best practices applicable to our situation The government of St Lucia believes Crime is only reduced when all civil and religious religious organizations including the media are actively involved in crime suppression activities I have assigned the portfolio of crime reduction To the newly appointed minister or abu jermain Norbert himself a former youthful Successful law enforcement official who is tasked with leading this ministry and will be well placed to understand the complexities and challenges that young people in our society face as Minister in the office of the prime minister Or abu jermain Norbert will work closely with me in fighting this coach of criminality. I Will continue to hold the portfolio of national security As you are aware, there are many in our society who live with some form of disability But continue to strive to play a meaningful role in the development of our country I've decided to give support to enable the participation of this important demographic By creating a specific portfolio Headed by a minister in the office of the prime minister to enhance your opportunities and limit the threats that mean That may include parties that may exclude the participation of these disabled citizens in our country It is the policy of this government to afford all its citizens the enabling environment to achieve their full potential I will assign this portfolio to the or abu jermain Norbert Who is an embodiment of the talent and potential of these disabled citizens We are aware that on the virginia poet minister of the public service home affairs Labor and gender affairs is currently on medical leave after undergoing medical treatment We wish the honorable minister. Well as she continues to recover For the time being I've assigned these portfolios of That ministry to the horrible jermain Norbert our full confidence in the honorable jermain Norbert and the cabinet of ministers Looks forward to working with him as we remain focused on the development of our country This addition To the cabinet is expected to be added focus to the importance that government plays To citizen security and improving the lives of people in our country We are determined to reduce the level of gun violence in St. The new minister will be expected to focus on all suggestions ideas methods That are aimed at crime prevention and reduction. I Pledge to continue to provide the police with resources and equipment While allowing them the operational space to bring this unacceptable situation to an end. I Once more calling all solutions to a to align with the necessary objective of making our island a Safe place to live and work. I thank you