Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he will be holding onto the energy portfolio a while longer, due to what he describes as   the delicate issues including foreign policy implications.

Mr. Holness, who has held that portfolio since the former Energy Minister was relieved of the post earlier this year , was asked today when would a new minister be appointed.

The government is negotiating with Venezuela to buy back the 49 % stake in Petrojam.

Meantime, the Opposition People’s National Party is again calling on the Prime Minister to appoint a minister of energy.

Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Peter Phillips made the call this morning, during a press conference.

He says Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who has been acting in the capacity since former minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley was relieved of the post, is doing a poor job.

Dr. Phillips cited the ongoing controversy surrounding Petrojam, as well as other companies which fall under the energy ministry, as grounds for his claims.

He said it’s now 5 months since Mr. Holness promised that a new minister would have been appointed, noting that there are urgent issues that need to be addressed.