Newly-appointed Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration Clifton De Coteau, does not know what his new portfolio will entail.

De Coteau, a former Minister in the Ministry of Education, was appointed to the ministry, by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who announced details of a Cabinet reshuffle at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's, on Friday.

The Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration is a new ministry, in what is the largest Cabinet in this country's history.

De Coteau told the Sunday Express in a telephone interview yesterday: "I have not yet received my instruments of appointment from the President, so I don't want to speak about it. I am not fully aware of what the new ministry entails and I don't want to make an educated guess.

I know it will entail national diversity and social integration."

There exists in the Republic of Mauritius (an island off Africa's east coast) a Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Development.

The ministry's website states that the vision is to create "an inclusive and more equitable society through greater social justice and sustainable human development" and to be "driving force in the eradication of absolute poverty and social exclusion and to mobilise support to empower the vulnerable and deprived with a view to improving their quality of life in a sustainable manner".

De Coteau said his new portfolio will encompass the entire society and impact all citizens.

National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) member Embau Moheni has been appointed a minister in the new ministry.

President George Maxwell Richards will swear in the new ministers tomorrow.