Five weeks after Anthony Pierre resigned as chairman of Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA), the general manager of the State-owned company has also quit. On Friday, Michael Anatol, who was on a six-month probationary period with the CDA, submitted his resignation to acting chairman Narine Lutchmedial.
Contacted yesterday, Lutchmedial said Anatol relinquished his position after serving for three months and one week.
“We were doing an assessment into his performance. Then he submitted his resignation. From the tone of his resignation he wants to part ways,” Lutchmedial said in a telephone interview.
Also contacted yesterday, Anatol said he preferred not to comment since his resignation had not been accepted by the board. Pierre resigned in August after the board said he acted without its approval when he issued letters of comfort to two tenants whose leases the CDA directors had deemed illegal.
Lutchmedial confirmed yesterday that the board would have to accept or reject Anatol’s resignation when they next meet.
If the board accepts Anatol’s resignation, Lutchmedial said the CDA would have to retain the services of an employment agency to select a new general manager. Should the board reject the resignation, Lutchmedial said Anatol would have to serve out his probationary period “then we would assess his performance and then we move from there.”
But Lutchmedial said he has the greatest respect for Anatol.
“I know he was trying his best. It is a lot of things down there that sometimes does not add up equal,” Lutchmedial said. He said Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, under whose purview CDA falls, was informed of Anatol’s decision.
“I am sorry that some people are resigning. It’s very unfortunate that this convulsion is taking place, it’s unfortunate for the country,” Lutchmedial said.
Asked if there was any rift or differences between the board and Anatol, Lutchmedial shied away from answering.
Exits not looking good
Told that Anatol’s resignation gives the impression that all was not right in CDA, Lutchmedial said “you might be right about that. But it’s not my comment to make.”
Lutchmedial admitted a lot of things were going on in CDA that was “not looking good.” He said he was worried with the “fall-out” with employees.
“I am concerned about all of that. It is not something I like that is happening,” he said. Despite the departure of Pierre, Lutchmedial said the board has remained strong and was looking to become self sufficient, profitable and to maximise the full potential of the 12,000 acres of land CDA controls.
Lutchmedial admitted that he has been trying to keep things together without the controversy. He said if there was a price to pay politically “I would do the honourable thing and resign too.”
On the CDA leases issued to tenants which were deemed illegal, Lutchmedial said that matter has since been put in the hands of its attorney Martin Daly, SC, for a legal opinion.