GOVT REAPPOINTS TSTT CHAIR WHO DEMANDED CONFIDENTIAL INFO

THE Rowley Government has reappointed a company chairman who demanded confidential files following a major cyberattack.

Sean Roach is to continue as Chair of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) even after he was the butt of stinging criticisms from previous CEO Lisa Agard.

Agard told a parliamentary Joint Select Committee (JSC) in mid-February that Roach requested confidential information about 33 customers whose accounts were hacked during an extensive cyberattack last October.

She termed it “a mad request.”

She stated: “I felt if I did not cooperate and provide the information, my own position as CEO would be in jeopardy,” Agard stated.

She also slammed the handling of communications and other aspects of the management of the historic crisis.

The board of directors, headed by Roach, had debarred her from communicating with the media, Agard told the JSC.

She said she was required to “get prior approval” before speaking publicly on the cyber breach.

Agard was later sacked without any discussions with the Roach-led board of directors.

Roach was reappointed prior to the long-awaited release of an investigation into the cyberattack.

Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has not given a date for the report being laid in Parliament.

The enquiry was ordered shortly after the widespread attack on TSTT’s computer systems.

Opposition Member of Parliament Barry Padarath said a Freedom of Information request found that $49,000 a month is spent on personal security for Acting CEO Kent Western.

Padarath said the round-the-clock security was provided while citizens are at the mercy of criminals.

Gonzales declined to discuss that matter when approached by a newspaper.

The cyberattack led to widespread calls for the sacking of Roach and other board members.

The Express newspaper said the company’s board must respond to Agard’s claim about the request for confidential information.

“Should they refuse to clarify this matter,” the newspaper said, “then their silence would only exacerbate the loss of public trust the company has suffered since last October.”

Instead of a public explanation, Roach has been named for a third two-year consecutive term.

Three other directors were also retained.

Gonzales told the media he was looking forward to “a successful tenure for the new board…”

TSTT is 51 per cent owned by the State.

Minority shareholder Cable and Wireless has been awaiting approval for nine years from the Securities and Exchange Commission to divest its shares.