2 BLB Directors resign

TWO Directors of the Betting Levy Board (BLB) have tendered their resignation following the approval in Parliament of the integrity forms which demands politicians and state board members to declare their assets and those of their spouses.

Attorney Ronald Kowlessar and businessman Allen Trestrail handed in their letters to BLB Chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh recently. Newsday learned that more members of the BLB are planning to tender their resignations in light of the approval of the forms under the Integrity in Public Life Act. Kowlessar, a Government appointee, also resigned from the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRA) where he was also a member. Trestrail represented the Stud Farm Association on the BLB. A member of the Stud Farm Association told Newsday yesterday that Government will find it hard to find a member of his association to sit on the BLB once the integrity forms are signed.

The BLB, which has 11 members, needs six for a meeting. The other remaining members are Chadeesingh, Francis Joseph, Wilma Primus (Government appointees), Maniram Maharaj (Tobago Race Club), Dr Ryan Shim (Racehorse Owners Association), Peter George (Bookmakers Association), Peter Wharton, Dr Roger D’Abadie, and Tyronne Kowlessar (Trinidad Race Club). Newsday was informed that persons in the private sector are unwilling to sit on state boards because of the integrity forms.