After 15 years at the helm of the Saint Lucia National Trust, the organisation’s Director Bishnu Tulsie proceeded on pre-retirement vacation leave on February 1 until the end of June. In his absence Jeannine Compton-Antoine, since last December the Trust’s corporate services manager, has assumed the position of Officer in Charge.
The Trust had initially hoped Mrs. Compton- Antoine would replace Tulsie as Director but the prime minister disapproved of the proposal, relying on Section 46 of the SLNT Rules. Section 47 states that in the absence of the Director, the Council, with the approval of the minister, may appoint an individual to act as Director. On the other hand, Section 48 states that officers may be appointed, as the Council deems necessary for the proper carrying out if its functions. The minister’s approval in this instance is not required.
All attempts at reaching the Officer in Charge this week proved futile. I had no other choice but to speak with Trust councillor Calixte George Jr. on Wednesday. He confirmed the employment of Compton-Antoine and her responsibility for “overall operations, reporting to the Council and handling the day-to-day operations of the organisation.” This includes overseeing the operations of Pigeon Island National Park and handling staff matters.
Keeping in mind the well-publicized bad blood between her and the prime minister, I asked the councillor if he expected more fireworks. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t know that the relationship will be further affected. The Trust is a professional organisation and we have to take decisions in its best interests.”
He stressed that the Trust does not consider the prime minister’s decision, with regard to Compton-Antoine, as fair. He added that he did not agree with the notion in some quarters that the appointment of Compton-Antoine to her present position in any way conflicts with the spirit of the Trust’s Rules. Tulsie is, he said, still Director.
As for the position of Director when Tulsie retires, George indicated that the organisation is still mulling over its options. “The Trust still has to operate,” he said. “We have not yet made a definitive decision on that matter. Currently, Mr. Tulsie is to remain with the Trust until June. Some time prior to that point, we will have to make a decision.”
