MIAMI, Florida — Even as Dr Nigel Clarke arrived in the United States on Wednesday passengers on his flight from Jamaica rushed to greet and commend the now former finance minister for what they said was a job well done in handling the financial affairs of the island.

“It is an honour to shake your hand with the service that you have done, so I wish you all the best,” a passenger from Clarke’s flight told him as they awaited to collect luggage shortly after disembarking at the Miami International Airport.

“Dr Clarke it is a pleasure to meet you in person. Thank you for the work you did as finance minister,” another passenger who also shook Clarke’s hand told him.

Other passengers also rushed to greet Clarke while others waved to him in a baggage claim area.

Jamaicans greeting former Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke at Miami International Airport on Wednesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Clarke is headed to the Washington DC-based International Monetary Fund to take up a deputy managing director position.

He told Observer Online that he will miss his former post.

“It is a pretty overwhelming feeling and I am overcome with depth of gratitude and processing and thanking God for the opportunity I had to serve. I am going to miss it, that is for sure. I loved every single moment of it. It was a privilege to serve the Jamaican people,” he said.

“I have even been getting phone calls while being here and on the tarmac. I am very appreciative of the outpouring of affection that I have received, it is mutual. I enjoyed my role and my opportunity to serve immensely… I enjoyed the job. I loved the job, so right now it is even difficult to talk about it. My heart is full. There are a lot of overwhelming positive feelings. I love Jamaica and I fundamentally believe in the promise and potential of Jamaica and what we can become,” he added.

Moments before Fayval Williams was announced as the new finance minister, Dr Clarke when asked if he had a word of advice for his successor, declined to comment.

“I won’t venture there… One of the things I will be happy to have the opportunity to do is to carry a message of belief in the capacity of the Jamaican people, that we have agency and that we can create the future that we want,” he said.

— Kasey Williams