Benarva Browne, 33, a Town and Country Planning Consultant has officially been sworn in as a Government Senator and Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Airports, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government.
She replaces Julian Francis who has served as a Government Senator and a Minister since 2001.
Ms. Browne took the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy at Government House today (July 12).
Ms. Browne describes herself as a Development Consultant who has practiced in St. Vincent and the OECS region for almost 7 years.
She holds a master’s degree in Town and Country Planning (MPLAN) from the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, located in the United Kingdom (UK).
The news comes after Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves announced that there will be changes to the configuration of membership on the Government side in Parliament before the next scheduled sitting on July 13, 2023.
It also comes after Senator Francis experienced a period of illness.
Francis, who has since recovered, will now serve as a special advisor to the government, Dr. Gonsalves said on NBC Radio this morning.
At the ceremony at Government House, Governor General , Her Excellency Dame Susan Dougan thanked Mr. Francis for his years of service.
Mr. Francis served as Government Senator and Minister of Transport, Works and Housing from 2001 to 2005.
Service:
Then he served as Government Senator, Prime Minister’s Office: 8/6/2005-3/11/2005
Government Senator, Minister of Housing, Informal Human Settlements, Physical Planning, Lands and Surveys: 29/12/2005-9/11/2010
Government Senator, Minister of Transportation and Works, Urban Development and Local Government: 29/12/2010-19/8/2014
Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Urban Development and Local Government in the Office of the Prime Minister, with special responsibility for Buildings, Roads and General Services Authority, Traffic (Land Transport), Electrical Inspectorate, Local Government and Urban Development: 24/10/2014-19/10/2015
Government Senator, Minister of Transport and Works, Urban Development and Local Government: 14/12/2015-8/10/2020
Government Senator, Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Airports, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government. 30/11/2020
