Scarborough Businesses Robbed

Broken pieces of glass scattered across the floor, broken doors and missing cash registers were what store owners at Crooks River Mall Tobago were greeted with when they arrived to open their businesses earlier this week.

Fingerprint detectives visited the scene and officers said they are depending on camera footage provided to them of the suspects in cracking in the case. The incident is said to have occurred shortly before 3 am last Tuesday. Investigators reveal thieves gained entry through an iron door located at the back of the establishment, where the bolts and locks were broken off, and thrown to the ground.

Stores located upstairs and downstairs the establishment were affected .Store owner Junior Hurst says he remains hurt, as the once tranquil Tobago is changing before his eyes. With thousands of dollars in losses, he remains shocked over the incident. Still photographs of the two men carrying out this brazen attack were provided to investigating officers.

"I consider Tobago as a quiet place and to know this really happening to me. I always watching it on television and in the newspaper, but to know it actually happening to me! I am very disturbed about it," Hurst said.

Hurst added that he has no choice but to move on despite the incident, which has left him emotionally violated.

"It's another day. You cannot shut down the business. I have to continue running it, just have to be more secure right now," Hurst said.

Another store owner Dianne Bradshaw said the attack against store owners was a vicious one and this is not the first time businesses have been affected in this way. She is calling on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice speedily. She also wants increased police patrols in the area. "I really hope that the police would catch these perpetrators as soon as possible, so that we can all be relieved at this horrendous situation," Bradshaw said.

Detective Jarielle Mecer and Police Constable Kerwin Grant of the Scarborough CID are continuing investigations into the incident.

Reproduced verbatim from Tobagonews. 

No Race Game:Emancipation Support Committee receives $4 Million

ESC chairman Khafra Kambon received a 2 million dollar cheque
 from the Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Sorrow has tuned to joy, as the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) received $4 million from the government. ESC chairman Khafra Kambon was presented with a 2 million dollar cheque from the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The committee would receive another $2 million from the  Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism. 

Earlier this week, the committee in a press conference indicated that they would returned a 1 million dollar cheque to the government as it would grossly insufficient. Kambon had charged that the Government had reneged on a promise to include funding for the Emancipation Day celebrations in the annual budget and that the committee was disappointed and angered by the lack of financial support for the Emancipation celebrations. However, speaking after the presentation of the cheque, a jubilant Kambon stated he was pleased as the $4 million was what they had asked for."We have gotten what we requested and we didn't expect more than what we requested".  

This action however, have not gone unseen by other groups within the country vying to get an increase share of a depleted treasury. Speaking yesterday, the general secretary of the Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj, said he was happy for this group, but hoped that the same would be done for Indian Arrival Day next year.

Is This a Race Game:Emancipation Support Committee Refuses Government's Measly $1 Million

Symbolic of Breaking the Chains of Slavery

With mere days from Emancipation 2012, the typical drama have unfolded again. A 1 million dollar cheque given by the PP Government to the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) was refused, as it is believed that the sum cannot fund the celebration. 
Khafra kambon, Leader of the ESC stated that he and his committee were beyond disappointed and angered by the lack of financial support for yet another time. An emotional Kambon further stated that the festival has profound meaning, but has been treated with disrespect along with the people of African descent. Like he did last year, he repeated that the Emancipation commemoration be a budgeted item and all "systemic obstacles" that are in the way of the committee receiving funding be removed.
He further contended that the PP Government have reneged on its promise to include funding for the Emancipation Day celebrations in its annual budget, suggesting that the group may need to "make noise" in order not to be left out.

Kamblon stated that this years production would total $7 million and have therefore refused to accept the 1 million without further commitment by the Government to the give the balance. Last year, celebrations reached the visinity of $4 million and therefore 1 million is no less than an insult. 

Moreover, Kambon noted that  when things of an African nature was in need of assistance it was blanked from both the private and public sector in terms of funding. Something, he described as an "inbuilt bias against the African" in the society.

When asked why the committee didn't seek to one day be self-sufficient,  Kambon suggested that another member present answer and education officer of the committee, Tracy Wilson, said the funding was reparation. Yes Reparation.

"It is interesting that every time we have a press conference this question comes up. We have worked for centuries to get other people rich. When we walked off the plantation it was other people who were compensated. Why it is that because we ask for what we believe is our due it becomes a problem? More importantly, we are an NGO (non-governmental organisation) that is responsible in helping organising the society," Wilson said.


History would show that on Tuesday 30, May, 2006 Kamla, then Opposition leader called on the Government then (PNM) to release more funds for Indian Arrival Day, stating that the funds received were an insult to the Indian People.  Today, she is remainded of her own words, “There must be adequate and transparent funding...,There must be equity in such funding if we are to rescue our nation.” “Their struggles and sacrifices and hard work must not be forgotten and the fruits of their labour must not be diminished, Their legacy to this country is a rich and invaluable one that deserves the utmost respect and admiration." 

Therefore, the Government should note that Emancipation celebration is a national festival done in Celebrating the seemingly 'elevated' status of "Black Slaves". The ESC wishes therefore, that the words enshrined in our anthem 'every creed and race find an equal place' be adhered to, for the benefit of all our nation’s citizens. In the words of Wilson "We cannot have good Trinidadians until we have good Indians, good Syrians and good Africans. 

Chief Secretary replies to Attorney General

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is "insensitive and out of place" to vilify the THA Chief Secretary Orville London for his repeated requests to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a meeting to discuss the critical issue of self-government for Tobago.

A statement today (Tuesday 24th July 2012) from the Office of the Chief Secretary said the Attorney General should be informed that Clause 31 of the THA Act No 40 of 1996 states: "The Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary shall hold regular discussions with the view to formulating administrative and legislative mechanism for the promotion of harmony in the affairs of Trinidad and Tobago."

The statement added: "There is no doubt that the present process for internal self-government is the most important 'administrative and legislative' issue facing the people of Tobago, in recent times." It said: "The process also has significant potential for either the promotion of harmony or the creation of disharmony in the affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.

"In the circumstances the Chief Secretary does not only have the right but has the responsibility to seek a meeting, or many meetings with the Prime Minister so that the issue of internal self- government could be resolved in the interest of the people of Tobago and the rest of the country.

"The Chief Secretary wishes to reiterate that contrary to the statements of both the Prime Minister and the Attorney General, he has never attempted to bully the Cabinet into accepting the Tobago generated Bills," it said.

In fact, in correspondence to the Prime Minister dated 15th December 2011, the Chief Secretary said: "The Tobago House of Assembly does not have the authority to take the process any further. However, Tobagonians are aware of your Government's stated commitment to the provision of internal self-government to Tobago; and they are confident that you will initiate and guide the necessary process for the achievement of self-government, consistent with the aspirations and recommendations of the people of Tobago."

In another correspondence dated 12th March 2012, the Chief Secretary said: "Madam Prime Minister, the Government's decision to ignore the Bills submitted on behalf of the people of Tobago is unjust and could prove to be counterproductive. I concede that the Cabinet does not have to agree with nor give support to the recommendations contained in the Bills. However, I am convinced that the views of the people of Tobago should be placed in the public domain for discussion, debate and final resolution. Any other option could only lead to unnecessary conflict and confusion, at a time when we have the opportunity to resolve this long standing issue."

The statement added that the Chief Secretary and members of the Tobago House of Assembly were elected by the people of Tobago in a transparent and democratic process and their mandate was to do all that was necessary to develop the island and to improve the quality of life of its residents. "As Chief Secretary I will be betraying this mandate if I were to allow the Office of the Chief Secretary to be deterred from carrying out this responsibility," the statement added.

Last week London forwarded copies of almost 6,000 signatures of Tobagonians to the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Law Reform Commission requesting that the Bills be put into the public domain for discussion.

 reproduce verbatim from  the Tobago House of Assembly News. 

THA Justifies Roundabout

Hilton Sandy
Secretary for the Division of Infrastructure & Public Utilities  

In a media breifing last week, Secretary for the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities as well as two Engineers spoke at length about the 4 million dollar roundabout which would be constructed at the Aukenskeoch junction. 

During the briefing, Secretary Hilton Sandy and his team justified the roundabout. Dr Rae Fulonge and Engineer indicated that the intersection at the junction is wide and as such the roundabout is the better choice in solving both the problem of traffic and accidents. 

Last week the Tobago Organisation of the People condemned the planned roundabout, insisting that a traffic light system would better serve the public. However, Dr. Fulonge disagreed and ruled out among other suggestions a traffic light system.

The roundabout would be double lane and consideration was given to the size of the intersection and drainage. Engineers accompanying the Secretary further said that the roundabout has met international standards. 

Moreover, they believe that at the end every one would be satisfied. Construction of the Roundabout should take approximately 3 months. 

THA Received 75 Million; Unawares.

Trinidad and Tobago Currency

It was last week that the Chief Secretary, Orville London called on the Minister of Finance, Larry Howai to release the $100 million fund that was approved to complete the new Scarborough General Hospital. 

A news release also indicated that London London as well as Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary Dr Anselm London and Secretary of Health and Social Services Claudia Groome-Duke made futile attempts to get the money released.

However, the Minister of Finance have indicated that a  $75 million payment was made on July 5, with the remaining $25 million to be paid  today.

When contacted yesterday, The Minister of Health remained critical of the THA's lack of knowledge of the payments, indicating that this is a cause for concern. He further stated, that London needs to go back and look at the THA books in light that the Minister of Finance have confirmed payments. 

Tobagojustice awaits a response from the Chief Secretary-Orville London in light of the new information brought to the public on this issue  of non payment. 

Tobago’s Self-Governance and Legal Separation from T’dad

Island of Tobago.
Currently pursues Internal Self Government

If Tobago were to be accorded full and effective internal self-governance in the current climate, it is mandatory that boundaries separating the domestic jurisdiction of both islands have to be established to demarcate the maritime limits of the reach of their respective law –creating capacity to avoid over-lapping or concurrent jurisdiction and reduce potential conflict.
Hitherto the erroneous criterion for marking these boundaries in Section 141 E of the Green Paper is the seaward limit of a ten-mile territorial sea (TS) measured from the baselines. Section 1:4 (2) of the Draft THA Bill leaves this TS limit open-ended. No definition has been put forward to establish the reach and application of laws intended for implementation exclusively within Trinidad’s jurisdictional space. Hence the definition below.
What legal drafters of both documents did not address are the following:
There are no areas of the territorial sea located between the baselines and between the islands of Tobago and Trinidad.
There are only maritime areas designated as archipelagic/internal waters
These archipelagic waters together with the off-shore islands of Tobago are excluded from the scope of the laws to be created by the new THA
The need consequently to identify alternative criteria to establish the mandatory limits in the intervening archipelagic waters since the 10-mile TS will not apply here.
What exactly are the “baselines of Tobago”, where do they begin and end since there are no baselines off the south-west, south and south-east coasts of Tobago?
There are no territorial sea/baselines enclosing each island separately.
To deal adequately with these issues I propose for consideration after having posted the Tobago definition in my last article the following two draft definitions of Trinidad in the context of the dialogue for legislating internal self-governance for Tobago:
“Trinidad will comprise the island of Trinidad and other islands that are enclosed landward of the archipelagic baselines drawn around it as well as its archipelagic waters, the 12-mile territorial sea and their respective superjacent air-space and shall also exercise, inter alia, sovereign rights, in accordance with Part III of Act No 24 of 1986, over the living and non-living resources appurtenant to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)) situated beyond the territorial sea and extending to the bilateral boundaries established with neighbouring states as well as to the jurisdictional limits mutually established in the intervening maritime areas separating the island of Trinidad from Tobago.”
OR
Definition of Trinidad to include islands
Trinidad will comprise the island of Trinidad and the islands of Monos, Gasparee, Nelson, Chacachacaree and other islands located landward of the archipelagic baselines drawn around it as well as its archipelagic waters, the 12-mile territorial sea and their respective superjacent air-space and shall also exercise, inter alia, sovereign rights, in accordance with Part III of  Act No 24 of 1986, over the living and non-living resources appurtenant to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf situated beyond the territorial sea and extending to the bilateral boundaries established with neighbouring states as well as to the jurisdictional limits mutually established in the intervening maritime areas separating the island of Trinidad.

Ecerpt by Stephen Kangal

reproduced verbatim, all rights and views of this article must should be accredited to the author.  

London Delivers Petition to PM

Tobago House of Assembly, Chief Secretary
Orville London

The message to the People's Partnership from Tobagonians is stop being "Dismissive" to their expressed sentiments on the issue of internal self government, according to chief Secretary of Tobago House of Assembly, Orville London. 

This message was conveyed to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday after the Chief Secretary delivered a petition  to the PM's office for the Government to consider the THA's draft legislation on Constitutional reform and amendments to the THA Act. 

London indicated, at a press conference at the Hyatt Regency, that a number of 5,791 Tobagonians had affixed their signatures to the petition, and that the "people of Tobago are not attempting to force anything down the throats of the country, they are not saying that what they want should be the final thing. They are just saying these are our views and let us have a conversation."

Further, he indicated that a copy was also submitted to political scientist Dr Hamid Ghany, who is the appointee by the Prime Minister to head the Committee in ascertaining feeding back on the Green Paper on Tobago self Governance. 

Earlier this year (June 4) the PM accused London of trying to bully the Government into accepting two draft Bills on Tobago self-government, which she said was created without consulting the people of Tobago. London responded by stating that her statement was "erroneous, misleading and mischievous". Thus this move was done in an effort to preserve four years of effort by thousands of Tobagonians which was dumped or replaced with a document emanating from the Office of the Attorney General, The Green Paper. 

.

TOP Disagrees With PNM's Roundabout

Tobago Organisation of the People Chairman,
Mr. Lionel Coker 

The People's National Movement (PNM) lead administration have indicated and initiated action in creating a roundabout at the Aukenskeouch junction- Tobago. However, the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) have expressed their disapproval in such a move, and have suggested that a traffic light system would  better serve the motoring public. 

TOP's chairman, Lionel Coker congratulated the Secretary for the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities for attempting to implement measures that would alleviate the number of road carnage that are experienced at the junction. However, Coker continued by saying more planning should be done, given the magnitude of the project they are about to undertake. 

Further, Coker emphasized that the TOP doesn't believe a roundabout is the best solution, and suggested that the Division should "synchronize and integrate the intervention at Aukenskeouch junction with the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Old Milford Road that is soon to be undertaken in the Lambeau area. 

The TOP is also recommending that the east bound lane from Aukenskeouch junction to Scarborough be extended a further 50m for safer merging of traffic coming out of the Carnbee area. Coker indicated that the issue is a major one and should be critically examined. 

TOP is now calling on all stakeholders to voice their opinion on the construction of the roundabout at Aukenskeouch. 

Tobago Begs For Money.

THA Chief Secretary, Orville London

Release the 100 million that was allocated for the Health Sector, is the cry of THA Chief Secretary Orville London. In what can be a last attempt, the Chief Secretary has called on the new Minister of Finance Larry Howai to indicate when and if the funds would be release to Tobago.

The THA indicated that the allocation was approved to fund the completion of the new Scarborough General Hospital which was scheduled to be fully commissioned in September.

This has been another attempt amid futile attempts by London as well Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary Dr Anselm London and Secretary of Health and Social Services Claudia Groome-Duke in an effort to get the money released.

During the first phase of the commissioning of the hospital, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had indicated that her People's Partnership Government would provide the resources needed to have the it (Hospital) fully commissioned by September. However, with just mere few months to the end of the fiscal year, the possibility of THA receiving this fund looks as an every increasing impossibility. 

"Chief Secretary London and Dr London have both insisted that if the $100 million was not received within the fiscal year, the Central Government will be in breach of the THA Act and the Dispute Resolution Commission's DRC) ruling that the THA must receive between 4.03 per cent and 6.9 per cent of the national budget. The parliamentary allocation for the THA in fiscal 2012 was $3.1 billion," the release added. 

The questions to be answered are what is the London administration going to do with the monies given that they only have few months to spend it?  Is the PP Government starving the THA from legitimate funds as they did to the Hochoy led Administration in a bid to have an advantage in the January Election? Thus, the motive for the release or a stay in the release must be interrogated and the answers must be forthcoming. Moreover, the claim of a breach of the THA act and the Dispute Resolution Commission (DRC) sounds plausibly, and as such the PP government should avoid this at all cost, as this action could set a dangerous precedence.  

NIB Office-Tobago Closed, THA to Help.

N.I.B. of T&T

If you have noticed a huge pile of brown clay spreading out on the parking lot of the NIB mall, it might very well be linked to work being done on the sewer which have been malfunctioning.  The National Insurance Board's (NIB) office located at Scarborough has been closed for the past month.

A meeting was convened by Orville London, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in an effort to discuss the problems experienced at the office. 

During its closer, beneficiaries, many of which are elderly citizens have been seriously affected as they were unable to access services. 

Hilton Sandy, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Infrastructure indicated after the meeting, that remedial work to the sewer system at the mall will commence almost immediately. He further indicated that staff from his Division and the Waster and Sewerage Authority will be at work until the problem is fixed.

In the interim, the NIB has been relocated while general repairs are being undertaken. 

Can London's PNM prevail?

Every era has its hero and heroine and when the Tobago PNM was down and out from 1977 through the 1980s and 90s, they needed a hero.

Out of the blue there came Orville London with a well timed entrance into the political arena. A former school teacher and college principal, Orville London was no fool.

He clinically analysed the political situation in Tobago. He must have seen that the Tobago political maestro ANR Robinson was now off the scene while the once mighty DAC/NAR political force in Tobago was in turmoil with a certain faction holding the view that Hochoy Charles, the new leader was not 'qualified' to lead them.

As history will show, Deborah Moore-Miggins formed the ill-fated People's Empowerment Party (PEP). This party did not have a chance to win a THA seat but it was to play the role of spoiler that is, they took away votes from Charles and played into the hands of Orville London.

Orville's entrance into PNM politics came at a time when the then THA Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles found himself in an unnecessary war with the Basdeo Panday led UNC Government. Charles found himself starved of cash and his forays into 'get cash' schemes such as ADDA and Ring Bang became cannon fodder for London and the PNM.

The new Tobago PNM leader and his party members were in a rampant mood in the 2001 THA campaign and even if Charles fought a dogged campaign, he simply did not have the resources to hold on to the THA. Orville London led the PNM back into power in Tobago after years of being in the political wilderness.

Orville London became the toast of the PNM, his gifted flowery speeches, his swagger, cunning and down to earth style was the inspiration the Tobago PNM needed. Under his leadership, the Hochoy Charles saga virtually came to an end. Election defeats in the following THA and General Elections resulted in the Charles led DAC losing their once dominant 11-1 majority in the THA and their two parliamentary seats. The PNM boasted that Tobago was 'PNM country'.

Orville London was now part and parcel of a party which had its own traditions and style of governance. In many ways, the politics of the PNM had over the years developed a cultish nature about it, in the sense that if you were 'in the loop' then your business was supposed to be fixed. Therefore, it would have been difficult for Mr. London as a Tobago based leader to effect any fundamental operational changes in how the PNM party culture operated. Even before Mr. London's entrance into PNM politics, there was the talk in local political circles that 'you must have a party card' to acquire the goodies from the state.

So in playing the politics of the PNM Mr. London as Chief Secretary had to deal with the demands of the PNM family for 'piece of the action' and the PNMites who were 'out in the cold' now found themselves in the big times.

One of the major strokes in the governance of Tobago under the new Orville London administration was the introduction of his cousin Anslem London to take charge of the THA finances and he has remained firmly in that position.

Over the years of the Orville London administration, there have been some changes in the THA personnel.

The long serving party stalwart Cynthia Alfred has been put out to pasture. Former Goodwood/Belle Garden representative Hughford McKenna was one of the new London PNMites who was not prepared to tow the line and soon locked horns with the Tobago PNM boss and eventually had to take his leave.

There were a few PNM THA representatives in the first coming of Mr. London who did not 'make the cut' and had to move on.

One of the major pluses for the London THA regime was that they benefited from the massive increase in funding from the central government after Hochoy Charles took the issue of THA funding to the Dispute Resolution Commission.

With this increase in funding the London administered THA was in the position to expand employment and to give more grants to the people. They also embarked on a number of mega projects which have all suffered from massive cost overruns and which have all not been completed on time. However, the PNM THA can claim successes in the construction of community and health centres and road works.

The London THA administration has been affected by some party members and supporters whose reputations and method of operating cannot be considered a plus for the party image. Some have used their influence to acquire personal fortunes from contracts and membership on various boards and they foolishly boast about such personal gains.

The nature of party politics in Trinidad and Tobago is that the fortunes of the party on the national stage help to determine the party's fortune on the Tobago stage.

This meant that the fortunes of the then PNM leader and the Tobago PNM has made, what can be classified, as a desperate attempt to make an about turn in their political pronouncements by trying to take over the Tobago struggle which the PNM had traditionally opposed.

However, with the exception of a desperate few who have been traditionally opposed to the PNM and are now looking for a political life line, it is difficult to imagine the stalwarts, of the Tobago struggle shifting their political ties to the PNM.

Surely, Mr. London and his confidants will believe they have a chance to extend their term of office to 16 years. Anyone who wishes to believe that Mr. London does not have a chance to retain power in the THA could be making a mistake. The Tobago PNM does have a chance to hold on the THA but it is not going to be an easy fight to take on the broad based power of the Peoples Partnership. We shall see.

Reproduced unedited from Tobago News, Friday, July 13 2012. All credit must be given to the author 

Opoku Ware.

CEPEP Economics Won't Work.

Finance and Economy Minister,
Larry Howai

The newly installed Finance Minister, Larry Howai, indicated to a media house that a more efficient and equitable property tax has to be reintroduced in the country. "We have to bring back that property tax. It is costing the Treasury money (in lost revenue) that could be used to develop the country" he stated as he indicates his first major move, given his responsibility of moving the economy forward.

The "Axe the Tax" campaign which was mounted by the People's Partnership (PP) seemingly now impractical for T&T's stagnant economy. Howai, coming to his new job with a rich background in finance and economics, should be the first to know that "CEPEP" money cannot foster sustainable change in this ecomomic drought. 

Property tax has not been collected since January 2010, and figures shows the collection of such for 2007 as 82 million.  I am therefore forced to look at this move through a pragmatic approach. What can 82 Million do for the Economy of Trinidad and Tobago? A figure considered to be highly insignificant in a 50 billion budget, and can only be seen as a mere drop in the barrel. Given that the last budget allocation for CEPEP was 320 million, this 'property tax' would only be able to fund one third of CEPEP workers, and might I remind you that a further 240 million was sought to supplement the depleted 320 million, further decresing the significance of this "vital" intervention of property tax  to a simple 15 percent. 

So who are you trying to fool Mr. Howai? The general population is no expert in finance, and may not have lead any banks,.but we are not fools. 

Make no excuse for your the PP government. They are a group that lacks respect for self, integrity or rectitude and have displayed poor forms of political ethics. They have deceived this country without remorse and as such have tread on a slippery slope of no return. You are another instrument of deception within their arsenals, and  as such you must carry out their biddings, as yet another time they must reneged on promises made to the Masses. 

The people of Trinidad and Tobago would not be beguiled by your government. We are quite cognizant that property tax must exist. As you quite eloquently stated, "Property taxes exist virtually all over the world because if you own a property, there is a cost attached to it at the micro and macro level: garbage, sewage disposal and everything that goes with maintenance." However, do not suggest to the population that it must be reintroduced so as a 'Savior' which would offer T&T's economy salvation. Trinidad and Tobago continues to run on deficit financing therefore, offer to us some ingenius way  on getting us back to economic solid ground. 

So, what are we to do, given that even with a retroactive payment of the old property tax (for the last 3 years), not even CEPEP projects could be funded or maintained. It is therefore only logical and imperative that one must examine other means of stimulating economic growth. There has to be more innovative ways of stimulating the treasury Mr. Howai. One cannot merely concentrate on property tax (although it may be a start) to be the genesis of T&T's economic good fortunes. The country as it is, has been burden with a heafty Gas subsidy, enormous Education bill and our Social "handouts" are in the tune of billions. Thus, one must employ prudent policy making (in diversification, reducing financial risks, and containing the fiscal deficits), if the country's economy is to be re-ignited. 

So as you consider increasing the Taxes on the populace, as proven by this statement "To that end, the country should expect a cut-back on the prolific Government spending on transfers and subsidies—including the $4 billion fuel subsidy", please consider the ramifications of your first move. As Trinidad and Tobago awaits your announcements within your first presentation in the up coming budget, be reminded that 'CEPEP' economics wont boost this Economy. Much more than this superficial intervention would need to be employed to generate revenues and  improved economic performance. Think of ways to reverse this deficit spending, think of ways to become less reliant on dwindling oil and gas reserves. Think beyond this 'CEPEP' economics.

Tobago Vendors In Danger

Business Outlook Conference
 Mt. Irvin Hotel, Tobago

If you are familiar with the operations of any small vendor plying their trade from Tobago, then you must be aware that they must journey weekly to Trinidad, in order to purchase goods to meet the demands of their customers. As such, the security risk involved in doing business is enormously exacerbated. 

On Friday, one of our young Tobago  entrepreneur was brutally murder as he attempted to purchase goods to restock his business for the coming week. Sadden as I am, the reality is, there remains a looming danger for every small business person in Tobago, who must engage in doing business in Trinidad. Because Tobago's survival depends heavily on Trinidad, small and large business must go through the added risk of doing physical business in Trinidad thus, proprietors are exposed weekly to the criminal elements of the sister isle.

In all this, the Tobago House of Assembly's (THA) Business Development Unit (BDU) churns out hard cold cash in an effort to 're-define' Tobago's business environment through financial assistance and training. However, no one have seemingly informed these young enthusiastic business owners that safety and security must remain paramount if they are to enjoy the fruits of their labor. It is there evident that there is a growing need to educate these business personnel about security management whether on the ground, electronic or otherwise.  Of-course, THA cannot be blamed for the death of any recipient, however, if you're 'dishing out handouts' that range in the thousands, then one must take the responsibility to educate these said recipients in being more prudent and 'business smart' in an effort to protect their lives and their businesses.  

Furthermore, they must be encouraged to join together and lobby for insurance and other protection among other things. Moreover, they should be further swayed in combining similar small businesses to form associations and partnerships which can result in them becoming more dynamic and stronger than a single proprietor. This move, by all means, can  reduce the risk of doing business on a single person basis  and can eliminated or minimized the potential of them being victims of serious crimes. 

It is at this stage needless to say that Tobago businesses and business men remains at a disadvantage. Therefore,  no effort should be spared in affording them peace-of-mind and safety in conducting their trade. After all, they are the bread basket of our island and must be protected from these vicious criminal elements. 

Harsh Reality-Tobago Virtually Crippled

T&Tec Trucks Lined Up 

Earlier this week, a situation which could have grave consequences on the lives of every Tobagonian was addressed. The article 'Back to Stone Age' was written in an effort to highlight to all how vulnerable we are to power outages that could literally send us 20 yrs back into the past. Yesterday, the population of Tobago (de Jure or de facto) were met with the harsh reality of how dire and wide ranging this potential dilemma could be. For more than two thirds of the day inhabitants were literally left at the mercy of the elements.  Punished, because of the in-actions and slothfulness of many in addressing the breached submarine line that supplies Tobago with Electricity. Thus, Tobago was left without essential amenities as there were no water in taps (in certain places), telephones were down, and customers of mobile phones could only sparingly engage in its use as to preserve what little power  they might have had. This my readers is a crisis, which needs the support of all affected. Tobagonians, must without fail condemn this atrocity, as we must pay, undisputably with extensive damage to property and harsh inconveniences to our daily lives. A problem neglected and unaddressed for 5 months  virtually crippling the affairs of an Island. Yet in a public relation stunt, welcomed by many, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission,  dispatched Mr. Ramsook to give us feeble explanations of the underlying problem, and assurance of comfort when on July 10th (2012) speaking to the Express Newspaper, he indicated, that T&TEC had everything under control in relation to the power supply on the sister isle.

Tobago, it is time we sound the trumpet again, to the persons who are charged with the responsibility of addressing this situation. It is time for them to consciously and enthusiastically treat with and repair this failed submarine cable. Moreover, it is crucial that we take our way  and quality of life seriously. We are not second class citizens and in essence, must not be treated as such. Forget the foolish rhetoric and racial intonations that politicians may try to ascribe when 'we' speak for what is justly deserved by all. Do not be muzzled for fear that you may be labeled as "political". Tobago is for Tobagonians, our resources must be used to enrich the lives of our people above all else, and for that I make no apologies. Tobago must not suffer at the hands of Trinidad, Tobago must enjoy the same quality of life enjoyed by Trinidadians, furthermore,  Tobago must live equitably to Trinidad.

Fix the submarine cable, and quit with the talk show papi-show antics!!

Written by O.J.Noel

13th July, 2012 

  

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. 

Tobago’s Internal-Self Governance — No Facade Structure

The Island of Tobago, For which Internal Self Governance
is being fought

Tobago Internal Self Governance is high on the agenda of all, but would it ever come to fruition, is the question at hand. The Tobago Organisation of the People leader Ashworth Jack, in his address at the second anniversary rally of the people's partnership indicated that “full internal self-government for Tobago will be attained before the end of this year.” This might be a stretch of imagination, given where we are currently in the whole discussion. However, to hope is better than despair.

So as the battle continues and as most Tobagonians remains passive and seemingly uninterested in their fate, I take this time to share with you an article I have stumbled across.  

Please take time to read this article written By Stephen Kangal

Current proposals originating both in POS (The Green Paper) and Scarborough (The Draft Bill of the THA) now in the public domain and geared to accord a higher level of self-governance to Tobagonians must not result in another façade Legislature exercising political and administrative autonomy merely to achieve peace, order and good governance in the sister-isle. There must be fundamental changes both in structure and substance. Tobago must be treated with dignity, the inalienable right of its people to self-determination respected and their ownership or sovereign rights over adjacent maritime resources to be exploited for the welfare of its people recognized and legitimized.

Tobago must accordingly be granted an adequate measure of resource jurisdiction and effective and exclusive control over its rich maritime patrimony to be exploited as Tobagonians see fit to increase their self-reliance and economic independence and incrementally reduce their traditional dependency syndrome on Trinidad. These hydrocarbons lie on the natural physical prolongation of Tobago into and under the sea. That is the legal basis for claims to the resources of the sea universally. They are nearer to Tobago and installations are clearly visible.

The Green Paper plan to endow the new Legislature and Executive Council to extend its law-creating capacity exclusively to the island of Tobago and ten miles of Territorial Sea and leave the jurisdictional status of the off-shore islands, the archipelagic waters and the air-space over these areas including over the ten mile territorial sea band in a limbo is to grant a “bob-tail” brand of self-governance to the island. This must be opposed using well-known Tobago muscle and intellect.

The strategic location and value of Tobago in the archipelagic state of T&T cannot be over-emphasised. The entire boundary between T&T and Barbados on the one-hand and with Grenada is measured from and derived from Tobago. It stands to reason that Tobagonians must now be accorded a type of functional exclusive economic jurisdiction over the living and non-living resources of a sizeable part of the Exclusive Economic Zone located seawards of the limits of the 12-mile Territorial Sea over and beyond what is being proposed using as a determining factor the question of adjacency. Tobagonians cannot be encircled by maritime oil/gas blocks on all sides and yet are blocked from deriving direct benefits from these oil and gas fields. This is a denial of their solemn maritime patrimony to be harvested equitably for the benefits of its people.

Accordingly the proposed Tobago Legislature and Executive Council should be invested with the law-creating capacity to apply and extend to the main island, the off-shore islands, the archipelagic waters, the territorial sea of 12 miles, their superjacent air-spaces and the exclusive economic zone located north, East and West of Tobago.

In order to determine the geographical reach of the law-creating and law-implementation capacity of the proposed legislature the Act must contain a definition of Tobago. The following is offered:

Draft Definition of Tobago

Patented by Stephen Kangal

“Tobago shall comprise the island of Tobago, Little Tobago, St. Giles Island, Marble Is, Goat Island, Sisters Island and other off-shore islands, the archipelagic waters and Territorial Sea, the air-space above these two aforementioned maritime areas as well as over the land-space and shall exercise sovereign and other rights over the adjacent Exclusive Economic Zone on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago as set out in the Archipelagic Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, Act No 24 of 1986, extending to the limits established by internationally-recognized maritime boundaries and the jurisdictional limits to be agreed in maritime areas lying between Tobago and Trinidad and/or in maritime areas where no bilateral limits have been agreed to with the two neighbouring states concerned, to 200 nautical miles.”

source

http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=6537

International Shame of an International Airport.

ANR Robinson Internal Airport
Crown Point Tobago

The ANR Robinson International Airport (TAB) formally the Crown Point international is located at the South-western end the Island Tobago.  A mere 11/kilometers or 7 miles from the main town Scarborough, it serves as the chief gateway to its inhabitants and visitors alike. With just about 72 years since its was commission, this small, informal  airport has managed to maintain a zero casualty, with only minor situations occurring.  to date.

Over the years small changes have been made, such as the mid 80's upgrade for the terminal building, the expansion which finished in 1992 in order to accommodate wide winged aircraft and the 2000 and beyond where we've seen changes to taxiway repairs, upgraded electrical station, new domestic departure lounge, modernize aircraft control among others. However, these changes are vastly inadequate to the overall importance and true function of this Airport. In addition, the image of this so-called internally airport and the building's aesthetics leaves much to be desired.

Allow me skip to the last phase of a tourist's visit to Tobago. One that is marred with extreme heat, unprofessional security personnel, inadequate seating, and little variety for duty free shopping. As the last experience for any visitor to this country the Internal Departure Lounge at the ANR Robinson airport is in dire need of refurbishment. There is very little to do at the airport and even less in the Departure lounge, which has nothing but a small bar, a couple of souvenir boutiques selling t-shirts and local crafts, and a small duty-free shop with a limited choice (local rum TT$40-50 plus cheap cigarettes) but no electrical goods, watches or quality jewellery, etc. The departure lounge gets extremely hot and crowded, especially when in-transits are allowed to mixed with departing visitors, insofar that at times there are only standing seats.

This unpleasant, unattractive site affects the reputation of this tourist island, as persons must leave with a "sour taste" of how 3rd world, international airports are managed. Even more notable is how unkind this departure lounge is to persons suffering from disabilities, as they must make their way down at least 2 flights of stairs to get to ground level before embarking on the unfriendly journey through sun or rain to get to the aircraft.

It is high time that some meaningful changes be done to this Airport. What a Shame that Mr. Robinson's name must be on this rejected pavilion, something that is far less than the statue of man he is. Tobago's economy depends in most part on tourism, yet we continue to leave this bitter taste that is engraved in the memory of every visitor at the end of their sojourn. How counter productive and ill marketed can we get? We need to start with the basics when it comes to tourism. Tobago need to get it right. In a highly competitive and globalized world, we cannot continue with 19th century efforts, we must therefore employ and embrace modernize tactics if we are to survive in this epochs. As a young Tobagonians, I am appalled at  what we call an International Airport. Moreover, it is disheartening to deal with visitors who must constantly remind you with their murmurs and complains about how inadequate the facility is.

This beautiful island deserves better and it is quite clear that our tourism product is lacking in more ways than one. However, we need to aggressively build a 21st century tourism product and experience if we are going to continue to hold on to tourism as our main industry. Please I beseech the powers that be, Put a Hand, Save the island's Tourism.    


Written by O.J.Noel
10th July 2012

Tobago, Back to Stone Age

Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary,
Orville London

The Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary, Orville London have stated that Tobago has been set back 20 years. He made this comment in relation to a submarine cable providing TSTT and T&TEC services that have been down since February 2012. 

In what he described as untenable, he calls on the relevant authority, the Ministry of Utilities, to address the problem of the defunct cable so as to restore normal communications services to the island of Tobago. 

The ramifications of this is wide spread. At the moment TSTT have discontinued its subscriptions for Internet services. It therefore means, persons wishing to pursue online courses, would now have to postpone or enroll in tradition methods,leaving jobs and family to go to Trinidad.  Further, the bandwidth for Tobago have thus been reduced, resulting in interruptions while streaming media, and increasing the time of uploads and file downloads. Further, businesses depending primarily on TSTT services face enormous interuptions, which can amount to financial loses. In addition,  it means that old subscribers would not be receiving the correct upload and download speeds for which you are currently paying for. Thus, Tobagonians must demand a rebate immediately. 

As for energy consumption, T&TEC is using the the diesel powered plant at the COVE to generate about 64 megawatts, to feed Tobago. As it stands, there is no redundancy systems in place for either of the two major Utilities and as such Tobago remains an Island that is at risk to the Dark Ages. 

In wake of all of this, Tobagonians are with concern observing the treatment meted out to them by the powers that be. Are the Ministers within the PP government sidelining the needs of Tobagonians, and reduces us to mere after thoughts on their agendas. Is it a deliberate plan to destroy the comfortable lives to which Tobagonians have enjoyed?  It is fasiciting to observe the treatment of Tobago and its people post 2010. Tobago have been plummeted to a 19th century Island. First CAL removed Tobago from being a destination stop, (a critical blow to tourism the backbone of Tobago economy). Then the cancellations of en route Cruise Ships to Scarborough a further blow to direct tourism. Moreover, to add insult to injury, Tobago must now restart the discussion of Internal Self Government, in addition,  to this prolong disruption of key infrastructure that is critical to almost every facet of Tobago's development. 

This continue discrimination against the needs of Tobagonians must end, before the lives of its citizens are plunged further into the Stone Age.   

Written by O.J.Noel

o9, July 2012