CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO), Steve Etienne, has been fired.

This was revealed by board chairman Martin James in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to James, an internal audit to facilitate planning for future operations has mandated changes in several key areas of operations, noting that all of the prescribed and adopted changes are in accordance with the labour laws of St Lucia.

“These changes include the Chief Executive Officer and the Office Manager being relieved of their duties effective December 14, 2017. Reasons for this decision include deficiencies in management structure and operational procedures,” the statement added.

In October this year, Etienne was sent on 30 days leave by the board of directors of the organisation while a detailed review of ECCO’s operations was to be undertaken.

Etienne has been involved with ECCO and the Hewanorra Musical Society (HMS) Inc which preceded it, for nearly two decades.

James stated that the Chief Executive Officer and Office Manager have served the organization for a lengthy period of time and the Board extends best wishes to them both as they move on.

“The effect of these decisions on the operations of the organization will be kept at a minimum with the temporary appointment of a director to oversee the organization’s day to day actions.”

He advised that any additional changes will be communicated whilst ECCO continues its internal review aimed at providing better representation to its members and better quality service to its clients and the general public.

A new Board of Directors, elected at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on December 9, comprising Martin James of St Lucia (elected chairman), with representatives from Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, St Kitts Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines.