Jamahl Simmons, the United Bermuda Party's (UBP) newest parliamentarian, and Trevor Moniz, who was only recently readmitted to his party's whip, have both been appointed Shadow Cabinet Ministers by Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons.

Dr. Gibbons made the announcement at the party's headquarters yesterday afternoon. Mr. Moniz will handle the Transport portfolio, while Mr. Simmons will take charge of Environment. The move leaves just two members of the UBP parliamentary group, Pam Gordon and Maxwell Burgess, without a shadow cabinet portfolio. It also means that both Kim Young and Erwin Adderley will be relieved of having to do double duty. Prior to the changes Mrs. Young had responsibility for the Environment and Women's Affairs, but she is now solely responsible for Women's Affairs. And Erwin Adderley, relieved of responsibility for Transport, can now focus on Works and Engineering.

As Shadow Environment Minister, Mr. Simmons said that his role will involve identifying priority areas not being addressed by the Government, and to help educate the public about environmental issues.

He specified the baselands clean-up and asbestos disposal when asked what were the priority areas.

And he urged a partnership between Government and the community as a whole in finding solutions to environmental problems "rather than passively accepting piecemeal and disjointed prescriptions".

"The community should be empowered and given the capacity to shape our environmental future, developing innovative and dynamic collaborations with government," he said.

Mr. Moniz said that he was happy to take on the Transport portfolio and will be liaising with Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell to look at airline policy.

"I'll certainly be looking at the whole thing. I certainly will be sitting down with Mr. Adderley to understand the details."