Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke will assume the role of Deputy Managing Director for the International Monetary Fund on October 31. Lloyd B.
Smith ‹ › $('audio,video').mediaelementplayer(); Political commentator Lloyd B. Smith By Racquel Porter Political commentator Lloyd B.
Smith says Dr. Nigel Clarke's departure from government will cause what he terms a "seismic shift" in the ruling Jamaica Labour Party government. Dr.
Clarke is set to assume the role of Deputy Managing Director for the International Monetary Fund, come October 31. He will succeed Antoinette Sayeh, who steps down on September 12. Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, Mr.
Smith said Dr. Clarke's appointment to such a prestigious and influential position will present serious problems for the JLP. "Right now, the economy has begun to wobble a bit, what with inflation and other factors.
And I think the steady hand of Dr. Clarke would have continued to make a difference. Bearing in mind that the Constitution insists that the Minister of Finance has to come from the Lower House, I don't think the government has that much luxury in terms of choosing his successor," he contended.
Mr. Smith said all eyes are on Minister of Education Fayval Williams as the likely successor to Dr. Clarke.
Mrs. Williams served in the capacity of Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance during the period March 2016 to March 2018. But the political commentator suggested she would not have the same "fortitude" as Dr.
Clark.