By Val Matthias. Updated 4:55 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Mr. Luke Boyea, Manager of Hot 97 radio station, has been appointed Chairman of the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED), a statutory body. In a conversation on the radio station’s morning show, Boyea explained why he accepted the role and what he intends to do with the chairman’s stipend.
“Sometimes you criticise governments… maybe you need to put yourself in the firing line and say, alright, let me do something. Contribute,” Boyea said.
He was clear that financial reward is not his motivation. Boyea insisted that board service should be treated as a civic duty rather than a paid position.
“I think honestly, I don’t think you should get paid at all. I wouldn’t take the money. I would give it to a charity,” he said.
This stance comes amid public debate about whether statutory board appointments are used to silence critics. Boyea dismissed the idea that money could buy integrity, stressing that his involvement is about contribution, not compensation.
The Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) was established by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to stimulate private sector growth. Its mission is to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through, Business development services and training Advocacy and institutional strengthening, coordinatinginterventions from multiple sources Promoting a climate conducive to MSME growth.
The CED is one of more than 20 statutory bodies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, ranging from utilities to tourism and broadcasting. These boards play a critical role in national development, with chairmen typically receiving stipends for their service. Boyea’s decision to forgo payment and treat the role as “public service” sets a precedent that may spark wider debate about compensation and accountability in statutory appointments.
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