And while that one ought to provide some theatre in the coming days, right now, opponents of Carlos Magana are pleased with his termination. One of those who had no love for Magana was David Akierman, the Chairman of the Free Zone that we spoke to earlier about the swine flu readiness at the zone. But Akierman is also third generation cane farmer – and was one of the most outspoken and consistent critics of Magana. Now, as you probably could tell from his top post at the Free Zone, Akierman is also a very well connected player in the UDP’s northern base – so it follows: did he use his political clout to get Magana axed? He called that speculation today but told us that there’s no speculation at all about Magana’s performance eon the job.
David Akierman, Cane Farmer
“To be honest, in my opinion as a farmer, I think he has accomplished next to nothing in his terms of reference and in modern business, you’re either qualified or not qualified. The debt, the Cane Farmers Association debt has risen in two years.”
Jules Vasquez,
So you’re happy to see him go?
David Akierman,
“I will not use the word happy because it has been thrown around that the, I heard rumours that they are claiming that I was one of the spearheads to move him. Let me tell you Jules, when it comes to business I do business. When I do political work I do political work. I am a cane farmer and I will stand and whoever comes in line, whoever is going to succeed him and falls in the same routine, David Akierman will stand and fight for the rights of the industry.”
Marion Ali, News 5
“Did you also have a problem with his benefit package as a lot of people did?”
David Akierman,
“Let me tell you, Marion in modern business I believe in a fair pay for the fair job okay. I support somebody getting a million dollars a month but you are going to give me a million dollar of work. So I have no problem with the beneficiary package they have but at the end you have to produce what you di get pay for. That is my concept for business.”
Jules Vasquez,
You’re just an observer but you are an influential political figure in the north, you are a major player in the UDP in the north and I would want to think that it is not unreasonable to say that if you are displeased with him that you could have had a lot of influence upon his departure.
David Akierman,
“Jules that would be a mode of speculation but let me tell you, whether, and in the people in my community know me well, that David Akierman will stand for what is right an what is righteous and I will fight whatever is not right.
I was working with him on the finance committee for Fair Trade, not at the Association, just this committee for Fair Trade and he violated every mode, all the criteria….”
Marion Ali,
“So you’re calling it mismanagement?”
Jules Vasquez,
Breach of fiduciary duty?
David Akierman,
“I would say not capable of administering the cane farmers affairs.”
Marion Ali,
“But not corruption”
David Akierman,
“He was not transparent in the way he conducted his business.”
Magana has said that he will be having a press conference to illustrate why he was wrongfully terminated.
