KINGSTON, Jamaica — New Parliamentary Whip Robert Morgan has welcomed the appointment by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

Morgan, a second term Member of Parliament for Clarendon North Central has also been named deputy to Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Floyd Green.

He replaces veteran MP Olivia “Babsy” Grange carried out both roles in the old Parliament.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer shortly after his additional duties were announced on Thursday, Morgan — the minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for works — said he was thankful to the prime minister and his colleagues for the confidence they have placed in him.

“I consider this assignment a distinct privilege to be able to help to coordinate the Government’s legislative agenda and its Parliamentary processes.  I appreciate that in my second term as a Member of Parliament I could be considered for such a noble position. As the prime minister said previously, this is not a gift, it is a responsibility to be good stewards for the people’s business and I do not consider it a gift, I consider it a tremendous responsibility and honour,” said Morgan.

“I promise to do my best to work with dignity, with humility, with integrity [and] with transparency to execute this role as effectively as possible,” added Morgan.

The Parliamentary Whip is mandated to ensure that the Government’s legislative agenda is carried through and to ensure that MPs are aware of important legislative events and are present as needed.

As the Parliamentary Whip Morgan will also be tasked to ensure that sufficient Government MPs are in the House for votes on legislation and quorum calls,

In his charge to MPs at the opening of the new Parliament on Wednesday Holness urged them to ensure that they keep in the purpose of the House of Representatives.

“Honourable Members, whether you sit on the Government benches or on the Opposition side, let us never forget that we are here not for ourselves but for Jamaica. Each of us was sent here by the people to carry their concerns, to amplify their aspirations, and to frame into law and policy, the hopes and dreams of our citizens,” said Holness.

“This House must not become a theatre for division, nor a stage for petty quarrel. Instead, it must be the workshop of progress, the forum of reason, the chamber where we craft a Jamaica that lives up to its potential,” added Holness.