The board of the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) is being urged to act quickly to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer following the death of Ian Pinard, the former minister and public sector official who held the position.
Pinard, who served as a government minister before taking the helm at DASPA, died recently, leaving a leadership gap at the authority responsible for the island's air and sea ports. The call for a swift appointment reflects the importance of continuity at an institution that manages key entry points for passengers, cargo and cruise visitors.
DASPA oversees operations at Douglas-Charles Airport and the ports in Roseau and Portsmouth, infrastructure that is central to trade, tourism and the movement of people between Dominica and the wider Caribbean. A prolonged vacancy at the top could affect decision-making on ongoing projects and daily management.
Those urging the board to move quickly have not publicly named a preferred candidate, but the emphasis is on ensuring that the authority maintains momentum on matters such as port upgrades, cruise season preparations and the efficient handling of freight. The board has not yet indicated a timeline for the appointment.
Ian Pinard was a well-known figure in Dominican public life, having served as a minister in previous administrations before his appointment to lead DASPA. His death has been met with condolences from across the political spectrum and from public sector colleagues who worked with him.
The vacancy comes as Dominica continues to develop its air and sea links, which are vital to the economy. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the currency used across these operations, and any leadership uncertainty is watched closely by stakeholders in tourism, agriculture and fisheries who rely on the ports.
No date has been announced for a board meeting to discuss the succession, and no acting CEO has been publicly named. The authority is expected to issue a statement in due course.
