
ST
GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Attorney-at-law Tillman Thomas was sworn last
Wednesday afternoon as the new Prime Minister of Grenada replacing Keith
Mitchell.
Thomas, whose National Democratic Congress (NDC) defeated the Dr.
Mitchell’s incumbent New National Party (NNP) in general election last
week Tuesday, was sworn in by Governor General Sir Daniel Williams.
"Those of you who have been following my politics generally know that I
have always been speaking about respect for institutions and, in
particular, to honoUr the constitution," Thomas told hundreds of invited
guests and supporters who packed the trade centre. "You can depend on me
for ensuring that under my leadership the constitution of Grenada will
be respected".
Thomas, who became leader of the NDC in 2000 after the party failed to
win a single seat in the parliament, is expected to name his Cabinet
ahead of a swearing in ceremony planned for last Sunday.
Nazim Burke, the NDC shadow Minister for Finance who retained his seat
in St.George’s North East is expected to be named as Finance Minister
but there is little indication at this time as to how other ministerial
portfolios will be allocated.
"I see this as a golden opportunity for Grenada to begin a new approach
to governance. We must emphasize the service aspect of governance,"
Thomas announced to lingering applause.
"In the past we have seen an abuse at times by the executive authority.
We must see ourselves as servants and to really serve our people in an
open and transparent way".
Thomas’s NDC won 11 of the 15 seats in the House of Representatives to
end a 13-year hold on power by Dr. Mitchell’s New National Party which
won the remaining four.
Thomas, who campaigned on a platform of good governance, accountability
and transparency, is calling on Grenadians to act as watchdogs of
democracy.
"I believe that God wants us to bring back the trusteeship aspect of
governance that those of us who occupy office are trustees and the
people are beneficiaries and we must treat them as such. For too long
our people have been treated in a way as if we are doing them a favour,"
said Thomas, a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the
Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.
"The time has come to change this approach to governance. Democracy is
about people and you have to be the watchdogs; you have to monitor us
and if you find we are going off track you must call upon us...you have
to identify any irregularities".