DO NOT EXPECT A ball by ball replay from Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler of the circumstances that led to the firing of Central Bank Governor Dr DeLisle Worrell.
Speaking yesterday at a near two-hour press conference at Government Headquarters, Sinckler made it clear he would not be revisiting the drama surrounding Worrell’s removal, as he refused to confirm three names rumoured to be under consideration for the top job at the Central Bank.
After three weeks of wrangling, including failed petitions from Worrell to the High Court and the Court of Appeal to bar his dismissal, Sinckler announced last Friday that Deputy Governor Cleviston Haynes would act as Governor, with Michael Carrington, the bank’s chief financial officer, acting as a deputy governor.
And even though their parting was not amicable, Sinckler praised Worrell for his contribution as governor over the past seven years.
“I had absolutely no challenge whatsoever with the professional opinion and or advice of [Dr Worrell] . . . . I have defended that advice inside and outside of Parliament,” he said.
“I believe it is incumbent on me, on behalf of the Government of Barbados, to publicly thank Dr Worrell for his long and outstanding service to the Central Bank of Barbados specifically, and Barbados in general.”
Asked to respond to reports that noted Barbadian economists Kelvin Dalrymple, Dr Kevin Greenidge and Professor Andrew Downes were being considered for the top job at the Central Bank, Sinckler said: “Any of those three, I am saying as a general comment, would make an excellent candidate for governor of the Central Bank.” (GE)