The government has realigned a number of Ministerial responsibilities including moving the On-the-Job training programme to the Ministry of Public Utilities.
The changes are outlined in a formal notice published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette dated October 2nd.
Under the new arrangements, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath gains responsibility for the On-the-Job Training Programme, while Tertiary Education and Skills Training Minister Prakash Persad no longer has responsibility for the programme.
Several other portfolio changes have also been made.
Housing Minister Dr. David Lee gains responsibility for Home Improvement Policy and the Oropune Project.
Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein takes responsibility for several housing, agricultural and state enterprise portfolios, including the Government-Aided Self-Help Housing Programme, the Housing and Village Improvement Programme, and the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee.
Defence Minister Wayne Sturge gains responsibility for national emergency and disaster management, while Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander assumes responsibility for the management of illegal immigrants and deportees.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo gains responsibility for the Agricultural Development Bank, while Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram relinquishes responsibility for that institution.
The changes also see Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar relinquish responsibility for several portfolios, including the housing programmes and the Oropune Project.