tidings
Yvonne Webb
DAUGHTER of Tobago soil Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis – known around the world as Calypso Rose – is calling for an end to hostilities between PDP leader Watson Duke and THA secretary general Farley Chavez Augustine.
She said this political tug of war and power struggle between the two does not bode well for Tobago.
Speaking to Newsday from New York on Wednesday, Rose said she was saddened by what is happening between Duke and Augustine. She called on them to seek God’s help to resolve their differences.
“That infighting is not good for Tobago.
“Lay down your arms, lift up your eyes to the hills, and ask God to give you health and strength to govern my beautiful Tobago, shining in the morning sun,” said Rose. She said that if they both have so much energy to burn, they should put their energy back into gardening.
“Leave your arms (verbal). Take the shovel and rake and go to the garden and plant food so that the children can get fresh vegetables. Go out to sea and catch some fresh fish to feed the people.
“The land is good and ready for planting now. We need food, we don’t need fighting and fighting.”
Duka recently dismissed the three PPD political vice-presidents – one of whom is Augustini – while the THA chief secretary has promised to review Duka’s role and function in THA as deputy chief secretary.
The war of words came after the Duke took to social media to condemn the THA for allegedly abandoning a group of Tobagonians who went to the United States to perform cultural functions.
Augustini, who has acknowledged that THA partially funded the group by paying for their airfare and other costs, is disputing Duke’s version.
Augustine is now daring the Duke to bring a motion of no confidence in the chief secretary at the next session of the assembly, warning that if this motion fails after a vote, the Duke’s tenure as deputy chief secretary could be in jeopardy.