BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 28TH 2014 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Health, Community and Social Development, the Hon. Marcella Liburd has expressed sadness at the death of Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Roger Clarke.
“I want all of us to pray for the family of Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture Jamaica and member of People’s National Party. Politics does not define your legacy but your service to your nation. I want to send my condolences to the Family of Mr.. Clarke. We mourn with you as well as the numerous Jamaican nationals we have here in St. Kitts. Rest in peace,” said Ms. Liburd in a Facebook posting. She is also Chairwoman of the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).
“Rest in Peace my dear friend Roger. I am in shock so I can’t say anything more at this time except to give my condolences to his wife and family,” said Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Her Excellency Aloun Ndombet- Assamba, who is in St. Kitts attending a diplomatic meeting.
The Jamaica Observer said People’s National Party (PNP) colleagues have confirmed Clarke’s death. It said Clarke visited the United States recently for surgery.
Unconfirmed reports are that he was heading back to Jamaica after the surgery when he died.
Clarke served twice as agriculture minister, first from 1998 to 2007 and again from 2012 until the time of his death.
He was also appointed minister of Local Government and Works in 1995.
Clarke, the Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, also served as MP for North East St Elizabeth and has served in several capacities within the PNP.