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Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde has expressed confidence in Michel Chebat’s ability to lead the Ministry of National Security. Asked yesterday about Prime Minister John Briceño’s choice, Hyde said Cabinet appointments are the Prime Minister’s responsibility and require careful consideration. He described Chebat as a hard worker who can build on the foundation left by Julius Espat during his interim assignment overseeing policing.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister: “That’s not my call to make. The Prime Minister has the ultimate power to decide who is in his cabinet. I know if he deliberated heavily on it. He always deliberates heavily on these things because they have consequences. Now, we will move forward. Things will get done in the Prime Minister’s wisdom. Julius did a great job and he set a great foundation. I think he’s shown us what’s possible. In that short time, he was there he was able to boost morale. He was able to give hope to our police officers, something they haven’t always had. And I think it’s a good foundation for Misho to build on, for Misho to bring his considerable talent to. I know he’s a hard worker, I know he’ll grind, I know he’ll bring everything he has to it. Minister Espat has already indicated to him and publicly that he is prepared to work with him, that he’s prepared to give every support possible. And I can say to you that the Ministry of Police actually needs all ministries to be at its endeavor best. All of our ministries have to do our part to make life better, to make the economy stable, to make our people hopeful and make our people working and productive and enjoying a better standard of living. I think once you have that then the crime situation will be less troublesome, will be less vexing and the police minister and the police ministry and the police officers job will be easier. But I’m confident he’ll figure it out.”
The Prime Minister announced Chebat’s appointment as Minister of National Security, Energy and Ports on October sixth, bringing policing and defence under one ministry. The change ended Espat’s three-month interim responsibility for Home Affairs, allowing him to return his full attention to Infrastructure Development and Housing. Hyde credited Espat with improving morale and giving police officers renewed hope. He also stressed that addressing crime requires support across Government, including efforts to improve employment, economic stability and living standards. In his view, those improvements would help ease the pressures facing police and the minister responsible for national security.
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