CHARLIEVILLE—On Wednesday the Cabinet decided to “recommend to the President that the employment of Rambarran as Central Bank Governor be terminated” and within 24 hours Ag President, Christine Kangaloo took steps to effect the dismissal.
Commenting yesterday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert sought to justify the action of the Rowley regime saying that its dismissal of the Governor was done based on legal advice Government had received. Even before coming into office, the Political Leader of the PNM and his party, and more so, since forming the Government, made no secret of their opposition to the appointment and actions of Mr Jwala Rambarran as Central Bank Governor. The situation worsened in recent weeks, particularly since the Governor made certain disclosures at the Bank’s Forum concerning the major users of foreign exchange and the state of the economy.
Following objections by certain business organisations, the Finance Minister claimed that the Governor had committed “criminal acts” by his disclosures.
“Despite the allegations of criminal wrongdoing against the Central Bank Governor, there is not a word of any criminal conviction, far less charges involving him in Government’s reasons for dismissing him summarily,” commented COP Political Leader, Prakash Ramadhar.
“This action by the present regime, the Cabinet and Acting President was conducted in a manner which smacks of being surreptitious and in defiance of the rule of natural justice and all norms of governance in dealing with the holders of such independent offices,” the COP Leader added.
“The Cabinet acted as judge, jury and executioner simply on the basis of ‘legal advice’ without any clarity as to allegations and whether or not the Governor was given the appropriate opportunity to be heard. The clandestinity of this decision is compounded by the fact that it did not even form part of an announcement at the customary post-Cabinet media interaction. The fact that this was actioned while His Excellency is out of the country and so swiftly by the PNM’s Senate President acting for him, also adds to the appearance of kangaroo court action,” continued Ramadhar.
“I hope that this is not a new standard set by the Cabinet and regime that public officials or anyone else can be condemned on the basis of legal advice and not on the basis of fact or finding of wrongdoing. This will further demean the quality of governance and our very justice and democratic norms in Trinidad and Tobago,” stressed the COP Leader.
“The fact that many public policy commentators have recognised that this action was anticipated, but they are surprised by the manner of the regime’s approach, only reinforces the concern for the bona fides of the process used,” Ramadhar said.
“The COP has consistently maintained that the highest standards of conduct must be expected of public office holders. This applies individually and collectively. If anything, the Central Bank Governor did constitute a breach of the requirements of his office that must be proven in a fair and just manner. Equally, Cabinet and other arms of the regime cannot abrogate unto themselves powers of summary judgment or act contrary to the just and fair standards established,” the COP political leader said.
Congress of the People