CTUSAB warns of governance gap as state boards remain unappointed

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has warned that key public agencies risk operating without proper governance, more than two months after the February 11 general election, as uncertainty persists over the appointment of boards overseeing state-owned enterprises and public schools.

In a press conference at the congress’s Garrison, St Michael, headquarters on Wednesday, general secretary Dennis DePeiza said the absence of clarity on board appointments has created uncertainty across critical sectors.

CTUSAB urged the government to publicly disclose the status of board appointments without delay, maintaining that clear governance structures remain critical to the effective functioning of SOEs and the protection of national interests.

According to CTUSAB, there was “some uncertainty about the status quo of the boards of SOEs and boards of management of public secondary schools”, with some terms expired and others reportedly extended without formal public communication.

“In the absence of any communication from the authorities, CTUSAB is hazy as to what the accurate position is on the appointment of boards of directors of SOEs and boards of management of public secondary schools,” the organisation said in a statement, stressing that these bodies remain essential to the delivery of public services.

De Peiza underscored that functioning boards serve as a central pillar of governance, particularly in safeguarding public assets and ensuring accountability.

“It matters that board appointments are made as this sets the tone for governance. It is also recognized that the functioning of boards is necessary to ensure the protection of public assets, to avoid wastage and ensure compliance.”

He added that boards play a critical oversight role, ensuring that key performance indicators are met while maintaining transparency and limiting political interference in operational matters.

“It follows that any attempt on the part of ministers of government at micromanagement, is to be frowned upon.”

The concern comes more than two months after the general election, with CTUSAB noting that no comprehensive announcement has been made regarding the composition of boards across state entities.

The organisation’s own checks suggested that many appointments remain outstanding, leaving institutions in a governance limbo, DePeiza said 

“As you know, whenever a government calls elections… there’s usually a call for instruments and boards that are appointed for any given period unless so instructed,” he said.

“Now we have no information to say that boards have been asked to continue. We in this Congress have members who have served on boards previously. Last week, we did receive notice of two persons who [received] letters, but generally speaking, we don’t know what is happening in the wider field.

“From our research… the boards have not been appointed and therefore that is a concern because you can’t have major institutions functioning and don’t have a board, you only have a chairman who is rolling over until such time as the boards are appointed.”

The organisation also linked the issue to broader national priorities, including transparency, accountability, public service delivery and long-term development planning. 

(SZB)