Cudjoe refuses to resign from Central Bank board

Dr Selwyn Cudjoe is refusing to resign from the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank, saying he sees no reason to do so.

The convention is that when an administration changes, political appointees on state boards offer their resignations. But many people appointed during the Manning administration remain in their posts.

Cudjoe was appointed to the board by the People’s National Movement (PNM). He was first appointed to the post on April 11, 2003 for a period of three years.

The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and Tobago (SDMS) went to court in 2004 to challenge Cudjoe's appointment on the grounds that Cudjoe was not qualified to hold the post because he did not have the necessary background to serve in such a capacity.

The SDMS noted that Cudjoe had a literary background and that according to the Central Bank Act directors must be qualified "by reason or their experience and their capacity in matters’ relating to finance, economics, accountancy, industry, commerce, law or administration."

Justice Judith Jones dismissed the lawsuit.