Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Dr. Patrick Allen (left), shares a light moment with Prime Minister Bruce Golding (centre), and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Member of Parliament for West Portland, Daryl Vaz, following a brief ceremony at King’s House, on April 1, during which Mr. Vaz was sworn into office.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, headed the dignitaries and guests, including family members of Mr. Vaz, who attended the ceremony, during which he was presented with the instrument of office, formalising his appointment. Prior to the presentation, the Governor-General invited Mr. Vaz to take the Oath of Office.
The swearing-in of Mr. Vaz comes one day after he was re-admitted to the House of Representatives, on March 31, after being disqualified by the Courts, for holding citizenship of the United States (US), as well.
He renounced his U.S. citizenship, following the ruling, and easily won the by-election on March 23, which resulted from the disqualification.
In a brief address, Dr. Allen noted the zeal and energy with which Mr. Vaz has executed the duties of his dual roles, and charged him to “set the bar high”, particularly as it relates to the nation’s youth.
“It is obvious that you are a man of great influence, and as such, the young people will be looking to you, and admiring your zeal, energy, commitment, and how you get a job done. Young people will be watching and observing you, and you have the glorious opportunity to mentor, and set a model for (them), to let them know that politics.is place where you can give good service to the nation,” the Governor-General said.
Noting that Mr. Vaz is not “unfamiliar” with the “dynamics of Government, and the expectations of the people,” Dr. Allen reminded him that he would be under constant scrutiny, both in Parliament and the wider society, and would be assessed on how well he executes his tasks. He encouraged him to do so in a manner that will “make us and your family proud of you.”
Prime Minister Golding, in welcoming the return of Mr. Vaz, said that he has served “extremely well” as State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, adding that Mr. Vaz “has brought to his work there (Jamaica House), the same commitment, dedication, and energy that he has applied to his work as Member of Parliament for West Portland.”
“Daryl Vaz is a doer, he is an action person. He is somebody who believes that missions are there to be accomplished, jobs are there to be done, and tasks are there to be ticked off. He is someone who doesn’t have to be prodded. If anything, he is like a raging bronco that has to be restrained sometimes, because he believes that the (shortest) distance between two points is a straight line. He has never been able to accept.corners, because he believes that if something is to be done, just get it done,” he said.
Mr. Golding also expressed gratitude to Dr. Allen for arranging the swearing-in ceremony at such short notice.