Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst and Director General Maurice Merchant (screenshot collage from ABS)
Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant has now added a new role to his portfolio as Cabinet Spokesperson.
Merchant stepped in for the past few weeks for Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst after Hurst would have been hospitalized last month.
That move is now permanent.
Hurst confirmed the news while speaking on Pointe FM earlier this week.
“I yielded to Maurice Merchant. None of these jobs are permanent and I believe a younger voice and a younger face serves the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and the Cabinet much better.
“I have so many other things that I am required to do so I have to share some of this burden with somebody else and Maurice Merchant is the perfect person for something like this. Clearly, he has been doing a marvellous job promoting the government of Antigua and Barbuda. So, this adds to his portfolio and I am happy to share this part of my responsibility,” Hurst said.
It is not the only change regarding Post Cabinet Press Briefings.
In person briefings, is set to return following years of reporters interacting via Skype and Zoom during covid. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing was held in the Conference Room of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Due to ongoing technical difficulties, a decision was made to return to in-person briefings, where journalists representing the various media houses will be required to be present in the briefing room.
The briefings will be held at 9am on Thursdays, as is customary, unless otherwise indicated.
The move to revert to this format will be effective Thursday June 26th at the Parliament Building.
To ensure a seamless production, journalists will be seated by 8:50am.
another of the old guards put out to pasture…..soon
Hope you dont practis to lie like him.
Na worry be lier lie max
Ha, Ha they’ve found a way to get rid of Nikki.
All we will have at the briefings are robots with no teeth to bite.
Maurice Merchant has been doing a great job so far, glad to see this made official. Wishing him all the best in this expanded role!
Max we will miss you. Especially your flamoyance. Who will deal with Nikki now.
So, Max has officially handed over the microphone to Merchant! I guess even the most seasoned spokespersons need a break sometimes. It’s a big shoe to fill, but Maurice has proven himself capable. Hope Max enjoys his ‘other responsibilities’ and Merchant brings his own flair to the briefings!
And he will soon add the role of Chief of Staff to his title while he relinquishes the title of Director General of Communications to another week known man in the media who will give up his post as……to …… Wait and see
Honestly I will miss Hurst. BUT no one stays in the position forever. I know Hurst love the government and love his vibes but sometimes Hurst we all have to take a back bench. Merchant cannot fill your shoes. He may try as it may