The Newly Installed Minister of Tobago Development meets with THA Chief Secretary

Newly Installed Minister of Tobago Development

meets with THA Chief Secretary, Orville London

 at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex

The newly installed Minister of Tobago Development Dr Delmon Baker met for the first time since assuming his new portfolio with Tobago House Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London yesterday (Tuesday 10th July 2012) . The chief Secretary stated that the Minister asked for an informal meeting which ended up being an intense but cordial 90-minute session. "There were certain areas we discussed that were hopeful with respect to the relationship between the Ministry and the Tobago House of Assembly, with Dr Baker indicating that he would formalize certain aspects of the discussion with correspondence to the Assembly. The first sign of dialogue seem to be emerging as London indicated that Dr Baker was willing to engage in discussion with the Assembly both at the policy and the operational levels with respective teams to try to resolve issues that have bogged them for some time. Further london said, "We will not have agreement on all issues but I am heartened that the Minister is prepared to have meaningful discussion with the Assembly on a regular basis,"  

The issues that were discussed surrounded several issues of concern to the Assembly: they include; a second Carnival in Tobago, the challenge of the Tobago Local Public Assistance Board and its non appointment which was causing hardships to scores of Tobagonians, construction of police stations at Roxborough and Old Grange which was two years overdue, the outstanding $100 million parliamentary approval due to the THA for completing the commissioning of services at the new Scarborough General Hospital and the process for the review the THA Act and Constitution as it related to Tobago.

The Tobago Chief Secretary said Dr Baker was "not particularly enthused" about a second Carnival in Tobago, adding that he (London) hoped that the issue was now off the drawing board.

Dr Baker was reluctant to speak to the media regarding his discussions with the Office of the Chief Secretary at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough. The meeting was held at his request.