Newly minted State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, says his appointment to the ministry is one that he has long contemplated.

Terrelonge was declared the new State Minister by Prime Minister Andrew Holness when he announced a reshuffle in the constitution of his Cabinet of Government ministers and junior ministers.

While speaking at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, Terrelonge openly thanked the Prime Minister for his appointment.

“It truly is indeed a great honour and privilege to serve my nation and the people in this capacity. It is certainly a moment that I have looked forward to, and I have contemplated throughout my career as an attorney and also a politician. And so I want to thank the Prime Minister publicly for the high level of confidence he has reposed in me to be able to take on this mammoth task,” said the State Minister.

Terrelonge will work alongside Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

During his remarks, he also thanked Johnson Smith for her support and the warm welcome he received from other members of the ministry.

“From my discussions with Minister Johnson Smith, she has outlined certain areas that I will deal with directly, and I want to thank her for her ongoing show of support as I look forward to again serving the people of Jamaica in this role,” said Terrelonge.

Terrelonge was previously State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. He worked with portfolio Minister Olivia Grange.