Thornley Myers denies he was sent on vacation leave

Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) Thornley Myers, has refuted claims that he has been sent on leave.{{more}}

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday April 18, Myers dispelled rumours that he was ordered to take leave by Chairman of the Board of Directors René Baptiste, following a fall out over the award of a contract for security services to the corporation.

In February this year, VINLEC published a invitation to contractors, to tender for the provision of security services at VINLEC locations across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Following the initial invitation to tender, SEARCHLIGHT understands security companies were invited to submit new proposals.

“There has been absolutely no discussion on my side, nor discussion on the Chairman’s side about anything that has to do with any contract or anything like that.

“My vacation was not on the prompting of any board member whatsoever. It’s just that I wanted to take vacation; and earlier in the year is perhaps better than later in the year,” Myers pointed out.

“I certainly asked for my vacation, and … I think my vacation form was signed way back on the 23rd of February.”

According to the CEO, he started his seven-week vacation on March 12, and is expected to return on May 2.

The speculations have drawn comments from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who called for the “spreading of rumours” on the airwaves to cease, at a press conference on Tuesday, April 17.

Singling out radio personality Chris “Too Cool” Jones of Hot 97.1 by name, the Prime Minister said that he had, on a number of occasions, spoken to Jones on matters where he is alleged to have circulated false information.

“Someone told me he had been saying; and other people have taken it up; that VINLEC Chairman of the Board had put Thornley on leave for something… that’s absolutely ridiculous.

“That’s not what the democratization of the broadcast media is about. There has to be some sense of responsibility.

“In the 21st century when you have so many serious issues to deal with… people just too happy? They have to make mischief and commess and so on?”

Dr. Gonsalves said that he had prior knowledge that Myers was due to take vacation.

“Thornley had holidays. He called me and told me as the minister weeks ago; he said ‘PM I have holidays; I want to take some holidays. I’ll be here, I’ll be overseas, if anything you can still get me and so on and so forth.

“He, and René Baptiste the chairman; they have excellent relations.

“We have to stop this; and it’s not only him (Too Cool), he is my friend but there are too many instances of it, and we must just simply stop it. Find out nuh; just make a telephone call….”.

SEARCHLIGHT understands no decision has yet been made in relation to the award of the security contract. (JJ)