tidings
Good luck George
As the country celebrates 60 years of independence, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is calling for a resolution on Tobago’s self-government.
In an interview with Newsday, Augustine said the biggest issue to be addressed is the relationship between the two islands in terms of governance and greater autonomy.
“This notion of internal self-government brought in by (the late ANR prime minister) Robinson, the precocious Robinson, with APT James, with James Biggart – we need this settled once and for all.”
He said that at the age of 60, the country should not have this debate yet.
“There are many countries in the world, especially in the Commonwealth, that have agreements where some parts make up a whole. So we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. What we need to do is move and mature in terms of the policy that is required.”
The Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill were debated in the House of Representatives on 28 and 29 June 2021. The debate reached committee stage. The motion requires the House to approve the JSC’s report on the bills, which requires a three-fifths majority for approval.
However, the opposition walked out of Parliament after the Speaker granted the Prime Minister an extension of speaking time during the debate. The opposition and the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) have claimed that the autonomy law does not represent the wishes of Tobagonians.
PDP leader Watson Duke has described the bill as “a blank piece of paper” that does not properly define Tobago nor allow it to define its own political and economic structure.
The Tobago Island Administration Bill proposes a minimum of 6.8 percent of the national budget with no set maximum.
Tobago is also given some law-making powers that were not previously within its powers.
Agustin said that apart from the issue of autonomy, there are many successes that should be celebrated.
“After 60 years of independence, we have many things to celebrate.
“Tobago has contributed greatly to the development of the country. We have contributed a large number of stellar public servants even in the early days of our country as an independent nation. We have provided the nation with people like Victor E Bruce – the first local governor of Central Bank. We have produced public service leaders, we have produced prime ministers, presidents – so we have our fair share of contribution to the national space.”
He said Tobago also offered a great wealth culturally.
“We’ve been right there, neck and neck with Trinidad in terms of contributions through sport – through people like Dwight Yorke and Claude Noel and some of our athletes. The point is, we’ve been there, we’ve contributed a lot, we’ve seen successes, but in 60 years, if we’re introspecting and being honest, there’s still work to be done.”
THA calendar of events to celebrate independence:
August 27 – Art exhibition by Shonari Richardson
August 27 – Illumination of the Shaw Park complex
28 August – Open Heavens, Shaw Park Cultural Complex, 5.30pm
August 28 – Illumination of Buccoo Boardwalk and Sunday School Activities, 7:00 p.m.
August 29 – People’s Gala, Shaw Park Cultural Complex, 6:00 p.m
30 August – Graduation ceremony for the 2022 Workforce trainees, Conference Hall, Community Development, Youth Development and Sport Division, 10:00
August 30 – North East Tobago Man and Biosphere Art Trail Launch, 10am
August 31 – Independence Day Parade, Dwight Yorke Stadium Parade, 8.30am
31 August – Independence Day Street Festival, Waterfront, Milford Road Scarborough, 3pm
31 August – Fireworks Display, Waterfront, Milford Road, Scarborough, 8pm
September 1 – Youth Fishing Tournament, Castara Beach Facility, 9am
September 1 – Award ceremony for the video presentation competition “My History of Independence”.
1 September – Castara Conscious Bonfire Event, Castara Beach, 7pm
September 2 – Fish Fry Day Lunch, Buccoo Integrated Facility, noon
September 2 – Fish Fry Day Lime, Buccoo Integrated Facility, 6:00 p.m.
September 3 – Red, White and Black Walkathon and Breakfast, Dwight Yorke Stadium, 5.30am
September 3 – Tree Planting, Louis D’Or Outreach Center, 10am
September 10 – Bago Jam Mega Concert and Tobago Carnival Launch, Shaw Park Complex Car Park, 6pm
September 23 – Student Parade, Gardenside Street
September 24 – Republic Day Parade, Roxborough, 9am
September 24 – Power Boat Regatta, Roxborough
September 24 – Republic Day Cultural Show, Cyd Gray Sports Complex, 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 – Fireworks Display, Cyd Gray Sports Complex, 8 p.m
The lights at Shaw Park Cultural Complex and Buccoo Promenade will remain on until September 3.
