PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Former Central Bank director Rabindra Moonan has been appointed chairman of the state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL), less than 24 hours after George Nicholas III tendered his resignation with immediate effective.
Nicholas resigned after Transport Minister Devant Maharaj had been very critical of his performance on television.
Maharaj, speaking at the weekly post Cabinet news conference today, acknowledged that Moonan, an economist, has no aviation experience “but he has a wealth of business acumen and I think at this point in time the aviation industry at this time needs a strong business person to lead us through the time that lay ahead”.
“We feel he has the inter personal skill to pull the whole board together,” he said, adding that the rest of the CAL board and management remain in place.
Nicholas tendered his resignation to Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, instead of Maharaj, his line minister.
In his letter, Nicholas made reference to Maharaj’s statement on television that the CAL chairman was among some state board chairmen whom he would give a five out of 10 for performance.
Maharaj said that Cabinet had taken note of Nicholas’ resignation and thanked him for his service to CAL. (CMC)
