By Sue-Ann Wayow

MEMBERS of the board at Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (Plipdeco) continue to refuse to resign one month after a change in government, in particular Plipdeco’s chairman Annette Wattie.

Wattie was issued two legal letters, one sent by Freedom Law Chambers and the other by  Sovereign Chambers on Monday.

They were in reference to separate clients, two managers, vice president of Business Services Niegel Subiah and corporate secretary Richelle Lyman, who were fired on Monday.

Freedom Law Chambers is representing Subiah.

The letter from Freedom Law Chamber dated June 1 stated, “Given that your appointment is purely political, it was incumbent upon the PNM-appointed board to resign forthwith. This is the established political and corporate protocol. Incredibly, you and your board continue to cling to office and operate as if you are oblivious to the change in government. More importantly, you have doubled down on your political vendetta in a last-ditch, raw and naked grab for power by continuing your political campaign of harassment and persecution.”

Sovereign Chambers is representing Lyman.

Their letter stated that they reject any meeting regarding disciplinary matters concerning its client Richelle Lyman.

It also stated, “We continue to be confused as to why the board continues to progress this matter when there have been clear statements in the public domain by the current administration that directors appointed under the last administration must resign and/or halt operations.”

Plipdeco is a public company owned 51 per cent by the government and 49 per cent by private shareholders including banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, company employees and the general public.

At last week’s post Cabinet press briefing, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said it was “shameful” that some board members appointed by the previous administration  were holding on to their position “by their fingernails and toenails”.

On Monday, Minister in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts who also has his social media channel Douglar Politics, spoke about the Plipdeco situation.

He said, “She (Wattie) has no legitimacy whatsoever. Her government lost. She is a political appointee, the PNM is gone, therefore she must go!”

Roberts also asked Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles and now People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader  if that was her way of handling the matter.

He asked, “Is this the way you run your party? Is this the PNM way? Is this the Penny way? Is this correct?”

Roberts also asked Beckles if she had any control over the matter and if she agreed with what was currently taking place at Plipdeco and also if any instructions were given by her to Wattie.