With only six months on the job, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) Chisanga Chekwe has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
However, the reasons for the CEO’s resignation remain unclear. When the prime minister was contacted yesterday he declined to give the reasons for the CEO’s abrupt departure.
PM Browne said, “You’ll have to ask him about it. Call him and inquire of him.”
While OBSERVER media was not able to reach Chekwe, it was reported that he gave the PM his letter of resignation in the latter part of December, and that discussions were held with Browne prior to his taking vacation.
It is not known whether further discussion relating to the CEO’s tenure were held at any point after he returned from vacation some time within the last two weeks. But OBSERVER media understands he may leave around the middle of 2017.
It was also reported that the prime minister did not at first accept the CEO’s resignation when it was tendered weeks ago. However it remains unclear whether Chekwe’s mid-year exit is a plan agreed between the two or one of his own making.
Even if the government of Antigua & Barbuda does not accept the resignation the CEO would not be under any obligation to remain with the CIU.
News of his resignation comes at a time when the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) is under scrutiny.
More in today’s Daily Observer.