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Robinson speaks out following his dismissal from NBD
From The Chronicle of 19 Nov, 2004

The dispute between Louis Robinson and the National Bank of Dominica (NBD) reached termination point on Wednesday November 10 as the bank accelerated his contract and dismissed him from employment at the institution. However, it is far from over, the former credit manager said to reporters last week Wednesday.

Robinson was first asked to go on leave after a customer - who Robinson claims was Simeon Albert, furniture maker and DLP- PRO - brought allegations against him. These allegations are said to have centred around Mr. Robinson supposedly disclosing private information about the bank.

A letter addressed to Mr. Robinson from the NBD board stated, We are in receipt of your correspondence from two of your lawyers dated November 2 and 8, both in response to a letter dated October 29... quite obviously both parties seem to have lost the confidence which would exist between them. Further, the media exposure which you solicited, which could only have negatively affected the banks image both at home and abroad, was totally uncalled for, particularly coming from an officer of your seniority.

Robinson says however, that he is bewildered since his termination letter does not address the allegations that were originally made when he was sent on leave. They are saying that it was because I spoke to the media, Robinson said. Robinsons episode with the bank, when he was originally sent on leave and escorted out of his office by the police, received much public attention at the time. This incident did not go down well with Mr. Robinson, who accused the bank and its board of treating him like a common criminal.

There are certain people who want to vilify you, castigate you, say all kinds of things about you and youre not supposed to respond in any way at all. I find that quite disconcerting, he contended.

Robinson claims that Albert, who allegedly taped a telephone conversation between them, had his loan restructured while NBD managing consultant Gregory de Garres received also a work permit from Minister of Tourism Charles Savarin, who was acting Labour Minister at the time. It was the first time in the history of a country that a minister of the government has signed for a work permit, Robinson remarked. He accused Albert and Savarin of being among those who concocted his dismissal by politicising the dispute.

In response, Albert told The Chronicle, It is customary in any financial institution that any customer who has a loan at this or any institution, would be able to go back to that institution and renegotiate their loan if they are not comfortable with what they are paying. In relation to him disclosing information about Robinson to the NBD board, Albert said, When an individual signs a document where whatever you say or hear inside there has to remain in the ambits of the institution, whenever you go out and disclose private and confidential business of individuals you ought to know there are consequences to that.

He continued, The gentleman himself, I respect him, but I do not respect that he would disclose private and confidential information and I, in particular, have fallen victim to that. Maybe it was because of my political affiliation. Albert claims this information was leaked to radio stations and other private individuals.

Savarin was out of state and could not be reached for comment and attempts made to reach the NBD board chairman, Milton Lawrence were not successful. The Chronicle has learnt, however, that it has been reported that Mr. Lawrence has refrained from commenting on the matter, citing it as an internal bank matter.

Robinson believes this current state of affairs over his dismissal and dispute has caused persons to be concerned over the banks operations. Robinsons contract was scheduled to end on December 31 and he believes that this problem was in some way aimed at discouraging him from applying for the Managing Directors post. He took issue with the appointment of managing consultant Gregory de Garres, questioning, If we are talking about quality management, organizational structure and a strategic plan to move the country forward, how can you move it forward with a man whose record is over $17 million losses in the last institution he worked?

The board should pay the price and I think the shareholders should hold them responsible ... if this is not victimization, then I dont know victimization, he claimed.

Robinson announced plans to seek legal redress. Who will be the ones facing legal action? The people who made the allegations and who called the police to come and remove me from my office, they probably will be directly liable. If the bank is part of it, then so be it.