“I could not be blamed for Kenny De Silva’s resignation because we have a very good relationship,” she added.

“He handed in his resignation since before Carnival this year,” said Minister Williams.

“I did not respond to it because he is an excellent chairman, and we work well together,” added Williams.

“I thought that maybe he was under too much stress because he works very hard, sometimes too hard.

“I also suspected the life of the Board was coming to an end,” she continued.

“But we worked together all through the Carnival and we never discussed his resignation.

“As far as I know he is still very much active as the chairman and is still doing an excellent job.

“I am expecting to see him soon to give me a briefing about a new venue for the NCC office at the Savannah because they have to move soon.

“The man is very good at his job and I rely on him a lot,” ended the Minister.

When TnT Mirror spoke to De Silva he denied the allegation that the Culture Minister caused him to resign.

“Even though I handed in my resignation, it was not accepted by the Board,” De Silva told Mirror.

“Being chairman is very challenging.

“However, I have been here for five years and I enjoyed every moment of it,” he added.

“But sometimes you just feel like moving on and that is my reason for resigning, it has nothing to do with the minister,” De Silva said.

He also boasted that Carnival 2006 was very successful.

“It was the biggest Carnival I have ever seen since I have been serving on the Board,” De Silva said.

Patrick Arnold, president of Pan Trinbago, said he was sorry that De Silva wanted to resign.

“He was of great assistance to the pan movement,” said Arnold.

“He was always willing to help and assist in whatever projects Pan Trinbago had,” added Arnold.

“I am hoping that he changes his mind because he was really good to us,” ended Arnold.