GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday appointed a 28-year-old economist as his new housing minister to replace Harrynarine Nawbatt, who was relieved of his Cabinet duties last year and made Guyana's ambassador to Brazil.

People's Progressive Party Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali was sworn as the new minister of housing and water in a ceremony which took place at the Office of the President.

Prior to his appointment, Ali served as national coordinator of Inter-American Development Bank programmes in the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking to reporters, Ali said he was ready to take on his new challenge, pointing out that in his previous role as a state planner in the finance ministry, he was responsible for planning for the housing and water ministry.

Youngest minister in the cabinet

Ali, who also has significant experience in project management, said his primary focus would be to ensure effective delivery of both water and housing services to members of the Guyanese population.

At age 28, he is the youngest minister in Jagdeo's 22-member Cabinet.