Good Morning.
I extend a warm welcome to everyone present in the ballroom and viewing on-line, to witness the swearing-in of Mr. Hugh Gentles to the Office of Custos of Trelawny.
Mr. Gentles’ appointment follows the resignation of the Honourable Paul Muschett, who served the Parish of Trelawny as its Custos for eleven years.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the main role of the Custos is to represent the Governor-General as the first citizen of the parish. The Custos is a non-partisan representative, who ensures that the Office of The Governor-General is ably-represented on official occasions and other duties as prescribed as by the Custos Rotulorum Act.
Some of the core functions of the Custos include engaging in activities that promote the Rule of Law, public order, and civic pride. He or she is responsible for recommending and swearing-in Justices of the Peace, and for supervising the execution of their functions in the local communities.
The Custos also gives leadership to The Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence, with its emphasis on service and recognition, through the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards and the I Believe Initiative.
The Custos has a platform to help inculcate in our young people the values which will propel them to believe in themselves and achieve their objectives to help build a better country, eschew the things that are wrong about Jamaica, and embrace what is helpful to their growth and development.
Mr. Gentles, you have the example and legacies of former Custodes, the Senior Custos, and others Custodes who are willing to support you as you take up this assignment.
Congratulations and welcome to the position of Custos Rotulorum for the Parish of Trelawny.