Chief Agricultural and Veterinary Officer Dr. Alfred Benjamin has announced his retirement from the civil service.
He has served the Cayman Islands for 19 years and has the distinction of being the country’s longest serving CAVO.
Mr Benjamin retires on November 30, 2007 making way for the new Director of Agriculture, Mr. Adrian Estwick who’ll take up his position on 1 December, states après release.
‘I’ve worked in close collaboration with Mr. Estwick over the past two years as part of our department’s succession plan and find him well-suited to lead the department,’ said Mr. Benjamin. As Director of Agriculture Mr. Estwick will have responsibility for the entire department including oversight over technical and veterinary services.’
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture Kearney Gomez said, ‘It’s an honour and a pleasure to have worked with someone of Dr. Benjamin’s caliber as CAVO over the past 19 years. On behalf of our Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts and the entire Cayman Islands Government, I thank Dr Benjamin for his service. He has helped advance agriculture in the Cayman Islands to the point it is today.’
Mr. Benjamin has much to reflect upon in his 19 years of service to the agriculture sector.
‘I’m privileged to be the longest serving CAVO in the Cayman Islands. I’ve always found my position to be very exciting and challenging and I can say that I’ve never had a dull day on the job. I thank the people of the Cayman Islands especially the farming community for affording me the opportunity to work with them to develop the agriculture sector,’ he said.
‘I’m grateful for the support I’ve had over the years from the Ministry of Agriculture and our present Minister, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts and those Minister’s and their administrations who’ve preceded him. I especially appreciate the colleagueship I’ve had with the current Permanent Secretary, Mr. Gomez with whom I’ve worked in close association during 15 of those 19 years.’
‘It’s been a distinct pleasure to work with my department’s highly qualified and competent staff and I thank them for their endurance and support during trying times including Hurricanes Gilbert and Ivan and the recent Pink Hibiscus Mealybug campaign.’
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