Tobago Self Government Discussions Continue

THA Chief Secretary Orville London, left,
exchanges greetings with Arts and Multiculturalism Minister
Lincoln Douglas yesterday following their meeting on
 Tobago Self Governance at Hyatt Regency,
Port of Spain. —Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY

The people of Tobago must have the right of self-determination, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has said.

London was speaking at a news conference yesterday at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, following the second Dialogue Meeting on Tobago Self-Governance.

A team from Tobago met with a Cabinet-appointed committee led by Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Lincoln Douglas, who said a number of critical issues was discussed including the legislative powers of Tobago to make and implement its own laws, budgetary allocations and defining maritime boundaries.

Addressing reporters, London said the meeting surrounded 11 demands coming from the people of Tobago and that it is only a matter of time before there is closure to the issue of self-governance of Tobago.

He said however several points needed to be addressed such as equality of status between Trinidad and Tobago, a definition of the boundaries of each island and an effective law-making authority.

“We need an effective and meaningful law-making authority that cannot, in any way, be frustrated by the Cabinet or the Central Government,” he said.

London said there also needed to be an equitable sharing of the nation’s resources. 

He said Tobago self-governance must not be looked at as a favour or gift to Tobagonians, but rather about the island having the opportunity to operationalise their right to self-determination. 

“This is the right of the people.”

London added there were several areas of disagreement during the meeting, but he expressed hope these would be resolved.

“We did not agree on everything but I think it is a work in progress,” he said. 

Douglas said the meeting facilitated a clearer understanding of what is necessary to make Tobago self-governance a reality. 

Another meeting has been scheduled for May 6 to further talks on the matter.

The Tobago team included London, Tobago Platform of Truth (TPT) leader Hochoy Charles, Stanford Callender of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Convenor of the Internal Self-Government Secretariat, Allan Richards, with Gilbert Peterson SC, as adviser.

Central government was represented by the committee headed by Douglas. Other members of the sub-committee include Minister of Water Resources and the Environment Ganga Singh, Minister of Food Production Devant Maharaj and Dr Delmon Baker, Minister of Tobago Development, along with advisers Ashworth Jack and Christo Gift SC.

Source: trinidadexpress 

Scarborough Library Opened

The controversial decade-old Scarborough Library has now been completed  at a cost of over $86 million, double the original estimated cost. 

Construction of the spanking new building which started in 2004 was finally opened to members of the public yesterday.

It has been a long wait as many thought it would have never been a reality, but the final of three mega projects by the present PNM-led Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has been delivered to the people of Tobago. 

Following an earthquake in 1997, the library facility was damaged considerably and later demolished. Head of Library Services Tobago, Helen Johnson, told the Express the building is also accommodating wheelchair bound persons and the visually impaired. 

“It’s a big sense of relief. We have been in Signal Hill since 2000, so it’s good to be able to come back to Scarborough and once again offer the full range of services to the members of the public,” Johnson said. 

Education Secretary Huey Cadette was observed sitting through a story-telling session in the presence of former senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie. 

He called the opening of the facility a significant one under his tenure.   “I am extremely proud. I think this is a step into the future, a significant step into the future for all of Tobago, young people, children, youth of yesterday, young adults, everyone. The visually impaired, everyone can find a peace at the library,” Huey Cadette said. 

Among the sections of the library are the Eastlyn McKenzie Children’s Library, the Anne Mitchell-Gift Auditorium,  the James  Biggart Adult Library and the Susan Graig-James Heritage Library.  

McKenzie had this message for the children of Tobago: “Let them come in, let them read, let them research and let them be inspired by the people who they would see.” 

The Library is open to members of the public from 8.30 a.m, Monday to Saturday. 

Source:trinidadexpress

Chief Secretary Commission Calder Hall Multi purpose Centre

Community Development and Culture Secretary
Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus is assisted in unveiling the plaque
 at the opening of the Calder Hall Multi Purpose
Community Centre on Sunday: Photo by THA

Chief Secretary Orville London on Sunday commissioned the Calder Hall Multi Purpose Community Centre on Calder Hall Road, Scarborough which was refurbished at a cost of $1 million to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

The centre is located within the Scarborough/Calder Hall electoral district represented by London. It is part of a $5 million development consisting of a Y Zone, Children's Play Park, lighted recreational facilities and the centre, all within a stone's throw of each other.

The refurbished centre includes a spacious auditorium, computer room fitted with ten desktop computers with the latest programs, kitchen, change rooms and wash rooms.

London said the community centre was not for one particular group and urged the groups in the community to make full use of its facilities adding that the return on the investment in this particular centre was the number of lives that were transformed and the number of groups that come together. He said the return on the investment would not be judged by the number of weddings that were held in the centre.

He said a community centre was not known for collaborating among the different age groups but this must change and therefore the people of Calder Hall must embrace change. "If you continue doing the same thing then we would have wasted our investment," he said.

Tobago Allocation in National Budget Wrong.

Chief Secretary Orville London has said the arithmetic for the Tobago allocation in the $61.3 billion national budget for fiscal 2014 must be gotten right.

He made it clear that the allocation to the Assembly was not $3.309 billion or equivalent to 5.39 percent of the national budget. He said the allocation was $2.477 billion of which $2,095 billion was for recurrent expenditure, $363 million for capital expenditure and $19 million for the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP). He said the $831.2 million revealed by Finance Minister Larry Howai in his budget presentation on Monday was to be spent by Government Ministries.

London said the Dispute Resolution Commission (DRC) was clear that the THA must receive a minimum of 4.03 percent of the total allocation so what "we did in fact get was somewhere in the vicinity of 4.03 percent which is the norm the Central Government has given Tobago over the years, the minimum allowed under the DRC, therefore it followed the law".

London presents THA’s Development plan for Tobago 2013-17

Chief Secretary, Orville London

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) last Thursday adopted the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan for Tobago 2013 to 2017 prepared by local firm Kairi Consultants Ltd.

Chief Secretary Orville London presented a motion on the Plan that drew five speakers at the three-hour plenary sitting of the Assembly. 

The House was also asked to formally recognise the Executive Council for its far-reaching and inclusive discussions with stakeholders throughout Tobago, in the development of the Plan and to mandate it to take all appropriate steps to facilitate the fulfilment of the objectives for the sustainable development of Tobago during the period 2013 to 2017, as outlined in the Plan, a statement from the THA said.

In asking the House to accept the Motion, London said governments have a responsibility to plan and implement in a manner that will ensure that the resources of the country whether human or natural can be harnessed and maximised for the benefit of the people. He added that satisfying the needs of the people must counter the needs of developing resources.

In the statement he said the decision-making by his administration would affect the lives of generations to come and it was fully aware of its responsibility. He said it was for this reason it had developed the 2006 to 2010 development plan and was now in the position to bring to the House the economic development plan for 2013 to 2017.

Tobago was in a much better position in 2013 than in 2006, he said, adding that the 2013 to 2017 Plan had come to the House after consultation and evaluation and further evaluation. He added that it was significant that the plan would have encompassed three documents.

During his presentation London announced that the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) was rated as the best agency for disaster preparedness in the Caribbean region. 

Source:trinidadexpress

Chief Secretary Relived About Milshirv

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly,
Orville London

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London said yesterday he felt vindicated that at the end of it all the “AG has finally accepted that Milshirv was about an interpretation of the law and not about abuse of the law by any individual”.

According to London, the Minister of Finance has described Milshirv Properties as an “innocent third party, in a context where his colleagues had accused the company and THA of colluding in an illegal transaction”. 

He said the THA was relieved that the project  can be resumed and hopefully delivered in the shortest possible time, adding that the THA will await the ruling of the court on the powers of the Assembly under the THA Act of 1996. 

“It however, strengthens our determination to have the issue of internal self government for Tobago addressed, as a matter of extreme urgency,” he said. 

Source:trinidadexpress

Chief Secretary on Emails shown by Dr. Keith Rowley

Orville London, Chief Secretary of the THA

Chief Secretary Orville London has described the expose of e-mails by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley in the House of Representatives on Monday as "the big one" and it would not end in a draw.

He said an independent inquiry into the matter which alleges wrong doing by senior government official was necessary.

"There are game changers and there are game deciders, and personally I think this is a game decider and at the end of the exercise there is going to be one man or one woman left standing," he told Wednesday's weekly post Executive Council media briefing.

London added: "This is a very serious situation. I take no sides because I do not know all the facts. What I can say is if in one case it is 100 per cent wrong then that is going to present problems for one party. On the other hand if it is ten or 25 per cent right it would present problems for the other party and therefore it is an issue in which we the people of Tobago must take an interest."

He said too many times Tobagonians look on at goings on at the national level and tell themselves that was dem people business. "This is our business and therefore we have got to look on with more than interest and concern and draw the relevant conclusions and to make appropriate decisions," he said

London said an independent inquiry should definitely be done because there was a situation where there were two vastly diverse stories, commentaries and all of that and therefore this was so earth shattering that it has to be resolved. He added that somewhere in the future the public of Trinidad and Tobago must have the comfort that they knew exactly what has happened and then they can draw their conclusions.

"This is not some of those issues that have come to the fore over the past few years and even before that where you are not sure but it doesn't make too much of a difference. This is the big one. This one is not going to be a draw."

London said as Deputy Political Leader of the PNM he really didn't have a problem in not being consulted on the e-mail issue.

Dr Roodal Moonilal responds to Chief Secretary

Dr Roodal Moonilal

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reiterated her commitment to hold "non crisis" meetings with THA Chief Secretary Orville London, "subject to mutually convenient scheduling", Minister of Housing, Land and Marine Affairs Dr Roodal Moonilal has said.

Also in a letter to London on Friday, Moonilal indicated that issues involving the constitutional arrangement between Tobago and Trinidad are included in the current public consultations on Constitutional Reform and urged that all officials of the THA take the opportunity to fully participate, including making submissions to the committee headed by Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadar.

Moonilal was responding to a letter from London seeking an update on the decisions taken at his meeting with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister Larry Howai and himself on February 22.

The Housing Minister informed London in his letter that the Finance Minister and he were continuing to review any/all funding options for a THA Housing programme and that the appointments committee of Cabinet had been apprised of the concerns the Chief Secretary had raised on THA representation on relevant national Boards and committees.

With regards to the relationship between Ministers and THA Secretaries, Moonilal indicated that Ministers have demonstrated their willingness at all times to meet with the various Secretaries, while the Prime Minister had also emphasised to her Ministers the need to remain in contact and dialogue with all their counterparts in Tobago.

He said the collaboration of the Central Government in the revitalisation of the Tobago economy remained a key developmental objective of Government and all Ministries, particularly Finance, Tourism and Tobago Development and anticipated that the ongoing discussions between Ministers and THA Secretaries will identify specific strategies in this regard.

Source:THAsite

London: THA will skip hearings

Chief Secretary Orville London

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will not participate in the national consultation on constitutional reform at this point in time, says THA Chief Secretary Orville London.

In a release to the press, London stated that he informed Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar and the members of the Constitution Reform Commission of this during a 50-minute meeting yesterday at his Calder Hall office in Scarborough.

“We recognise that it is a very important exercise and, of course, we pledge the commitment of the Tobago House of Assembly and the people of Tobago...recognising that, however, just as the central government, the Tobago House of Assembly is not going to have a formal position on any of the issues at this point in time,” stated London.

The Assembly, he said, will encourage the people of Tobago as the people of the country to become as involved as possible in what was going to be an exercise that can have very far reaching effects. 

“We did indicate to the Minister that we are very clear that the issue of internal self-government for Tobago is one that should not be embroiled in this particular process,” said London.

He said the Assembly had gone a long way and felt that should there be some separation it would have a chance of a successful conclusion in the short term and bring closure to that. 

London added that this might be a catalyst or might also send some signal as to how the other aspect of constitutional reform can in fact be achieved.

He noted that members of his team—Deputy Chief Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine and Senior State Counsel Alvin Pascal—were able to share a number of recommendations and suggestions. 

“We are satisfied that members of the committee are committed to gleaning the views of the people of Tobago and Trinidad and of course ensuring that forms the basis for their recommendations on constitutional reform,” London said.

Source:Trinidadexpress

Chief Secretary: THTI should become University of Tobago

Orville London: Chief Secretary of
Tobago House of Assembly

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) sees the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (THTI) as the core for the establishment of the University of Tobago, Chief Secretary Orville London said last Wednesday.

He said the Institute was ideally situated to be the core because it dealt with an area of study that was critical to Tobago’s development. “It already has accreditation, it already has regional and international recognition and it does have the potential to attract students from all over the world. You can do that and build on it by adding other areas of study so that you end up with a university that does not only cater for the needs of Tobagonians in specific areas, but also serve as a tourist oriented product bringing visitors to Tobago over an extended period.”

London told reporters at Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing, that the introduction of distance learning made it even more attractive for Tobagonians to source tuition from Trinidad, from the region and from anywhere in the world. He said this was one of the options available to the Assembly as it looked into the setting up of a university of Tobago.

London’s statement followed the disclosure by Secretary of Tourism and Transportation, Tracy Davidson-Celestine, that 50 Nigerian students will soon arrive in Tobago to pursue studies in Tourism, Culinary and Hospitality Management at the THTI in Blenheim, East Tobago.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between THTI and Verasys in April 2012 and a team from the Office of the President of Nigeria visited the institution in January to conduct an evaluation of the curriculum and facilities. The team left impressed and recommended THTI as an approved institution for training.

Davidson-Celestine said 50 per cent of the tuition expenses have already been deposited into the institution’s bank account while their accommodation had been secured.

Source:Tobagonews

Chief Secretary Announce Live Broadcast of Assembly Sittings

Chief Secretary Orville London is planning to set up a Public Interest Desk to allow the people of Tobago to ask questions relating to the operations of the various Divisions of the Tobago House of Assembly.

These questions, he said, will be answered at the plenary sittings of the Assembly which will be televised live on Channel 5 in the first instance. He added that Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries will also deliver statements on issues under their remit starting with him on Thursday.

London said he was hoping that this would create an environment where it would be the same as if there was a minority side in the House.

The Tobago Chief Secretary laid out these plans yesterday (Tuesday 5th February 2013) at a one hour meeting with the management committee of the Tobago Chapter of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex.

London invited the Chamber members to the meeting to discuss their participation in the unique process of governing Tobago following the January 21st THA election.

He told the meeting that while some people saw the 12-0 result as a challenge because there was no opposition, he viewed it as an "opportunity to change the way in which we govern between elections".

"I am saying now that there is no official opposition, I am not creating an opposition but my vision is to really create an environment in which the people will be involved in governance, which means that they would have to have the opportunity and they will also have to take the responsibility." he said.

He added: "I want us to almost lock ourselves into a process that cannot change even though we change our minds and the only way to do that is to have the process, make it public and in a way all of us are now committed to the process because in the final analysis the public is my boss."

He said this matter has to be dealt with in two phases, the first was to deal with the process and the second was how the process was to be implemented.

London said a Tobago Interest Group comprising various interests in the island would soon be appointed to interface with the Assembly to discuss issues of governance which hopefully would form part of the decision-making process.

Chamber Chairman David Wong told London his plan to democratise the House in the absence of an opposition was a unique one and will take it to his membership while Chamber Director Dianne Hadad agreed that this was the most correct path to take. Chamber Director Joseph Morrison said this was a process for change and he was not adverse to the Chamber participating in it to ensure it worked.

Reproduced from THA Website

Chief Secretary to meet with Prime Minister

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will meet with THA Chief Secretary Orville London shortly to discuss a number of issues whose resolution could contribute to the promotion of harmony in the affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.

Chief Secretary Orville London

Following the January 21st THA election in which the People's National Movement won all 12 seats, London wrote Persad-Bissessar on January 29th requesting an urgent meeting to discuss at least three issues. These were a review of the process for the granting of internal self government to Tobago, a review of the relationship between Ministers of Government and Secretaries in the Tobago House of Assembly and funding for housing programmes in Tobago.

In her response dated January 31st Persad-Bissessar requested that his office liaise with her office to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for the meeting.

This will be the first official meeting between the two in almost a year. Section 31 of the THA Act says that the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary shall hold regular discussions with a view to formulating administrative and legislative mechanisms for the promotion of harmony in the affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Reproduced from Tobago House of Assembly Official Site

Chief Secretary Orville London Meets with Hochoy Charles

THA Chief Secretary Orville London (right)
welcomes former chief secretary Hochoy Charles
 to his Calder Hall office on Thursday.
(January 31 2012) Photo THA Information Dept.

THA Chief Secretary Orville London and former chief secretary Hochoy Charles met for almost an hour yesterday (Thursday 31st January 2013) to discuss Tobago people's business in the wake of the outcome of the January 21 THA election.

The two agreed that priority number one should be the issue of self government for Tobago and that all of Tobago should collaborate and cooperate in dealing with this matter. They further agreed that the Assembly get the power of law-making and executive power without the interference of the Cabinet under Section 75 of the Constitution.

In an interview following their 50-minute historic meeting at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough Charles said: "We are going to ensure that these things happen to us and that these things are delivered to us in the shortest possible time."

Charles who is leader of The Platform of Truth (TPT) said they also agreed on a common effort, a common plan and a common strategy in order to keep these issues on the front burner and to bring them to the table and to the fore so that they can be discussed. He said they would not disclose their strategy at this time.

He added that self government was passed for Tobago more than 35 years ago and didn't think that "we should wait for the 40 years like the people of Israel waited in the wilderness before we can get it".

The meeting followed a similar one between London and Dr Vanus James, of the Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD) last Saturday. London will also meet with the Tobago Chapter of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce next Tuesday to be followed by other organisations during the month.

London admitted that Charles and himself have been on different sides of the political fence for many years but one of the things they had in common was the major priority of the interest of the people of Tobago. He added that basically the results of the election meant that there was no minority presence in the Tobago House of Assembly. He said this doesn't mean that Tobago politics should revolve around one party and contrary to what people might think it presented an insurmountable challenge. He added that it presented an opportunity to introduce into Tobago true democracy between elections. "Democracy is not just about election results, democracy is about what happens between elections and therefore we felt we had to be the catalyst involving as many individuals, organisations and communities in the process," he said.

London disclosed that that he would be taking a motion to the first sitting of the House of Assembly next Thursday to treat with the strategies and vision for treating with Tobago people's business during this very unique period of challenges and opportunities for Tobago.

The Tobago Chief Secretary described the meeting as interesting and productive, adding that Charles was able to bring his experience to the table and will help him to fine tune his proposals and even make them more effective. "I want to thank him for that," London said.

London said Charles has committed to be part of the process which would give Tobagonians the assurance that "we are going to work assiduously to ensure that what Tobago people want and deserve with respect to internal self government is what they are going to get".

He said all the leaders with the exception of one would have said that the views of the people of Tobago must be respected and they must form the basis of any kind of agreement between Tobago and Trinidad, between the Assembly and the Central Government and of course based on what should happen in Parliament.

Reproduced from THA site

Vernella slams Chief Secretary's failures

Vernella Toppin

The TOP once again flexed its political message last week Saturday night with a mammoth public meeting in the heartland of Tobago East Pembroke. The TOP heavyweights Ashworth Jack, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin and Dr Delmon Baker all seemed to be lifted by the overflowing crowd and delivered speeches of high potency to their mass of supporters.

Tobago East representative and Minister in the Ministry of the People, Vernella Alleyne Toppin unleashed a concerted attack on her former teaching colleague, and Chief Secretary Orville London. She accused London of presiding over a failed education system in Tobago. Under the London regime she said, "due to the failed system in Tobago, youths are being channeled into URP and CEPEP jobs while the educational institutions on the island are left wanting in several areas." She pointed to the Roxborough Secondary School which he said, "was established in 1965 and has no form 6 and she noted, "in one year there 75 Fifth Form pupils who dropped out of school in Tobago east, while 45 Fourth Form pupils also left school during the same year."

Alleyne-Toppin indicated, "the plot is to keep the Tobago youths dependent on the PNM for jobs in order to dictate how they vote." She also slammed the London regime for their failure to complete the Scarborough Library after 12 years in office and the non-functioning of the Charlotteville Library. "The lack of library facilities are a serious blow to the academic development of the Tobagonian," she contended.

She also took serious issue with what she described as PNM instigated rumour about "Indians coming to buy out Tobagonians land."

She accused the PNM of resorting to their historical policy of racist bigotry and of preaching politics of division in a rainbow nation. "How could Indians buy up Tobagonians lands when 87 per cent of Tobagonians have no titles to their lands?" she asked.

Alleyne-Toppin said, "While the PNM is resorting to lies and rumours to salvage their dying campaign, Orville London and his cohorts in the THA are sitting on 34 estates while Tobagonians are scrunting for lands for agriculture and housing. London has failed to grow the Tobago economy and for that reason, they must be voted out of office," the eloquent minister urged.

Reproduced from TobagoNews

London: THA victory will define PNM's future

SAVE TOBAGO": THA Chief Secretary

 Orville London poses with PNM supporters

 Earlene Crook Nedd, from left, Jocelyn Small and Lavern Nedd

during the party's Tobago Day 

yesterday at Balisier House, in Port of Spain

THE Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election has implications not just for the THA and Tobago, but for Trinidad and Tobago and for the future of the People's National Movement.

So said THA Chief Secretary and PNM Deputy Political Leader Orville London as he addressed supporters in the courtyard of Balisier House, in Port of Spain, at the "Tobago Day" function.

London said if the PNM won the THA election on January 21, next year, it would win next year's Local Government Election and the General Election in 2015, "because the momentum would have started and the people of the country would have understood that people power can beat money power anytime," he said.

He said if the PNM does not win and win "convincingly and resoundingly" in the Tobago House of Assembly election, the signal that would be sent to the People's Partnership is that as Mighty Sparrow would say "we (in Trinidad and Tobago) like it so". 

"And I know we don't like it so," he added. 

London said the THA election was everybody's business. The THA election must show that decency would triumph over cynicism, that good people would truimph over not-so-good people.

He said the election was about the calibre of the people of Tobago and the resilence of the people of Tobago.

"Deep down the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago were decent, law-abiding people who could not afford to spend any more time under a regime as despicable as this one.

"This is a crusade to save Tobago and to save T&T. The first phase ends on January 21, 2013," London said.

London referred to Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley as the next Tobago-born prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Rowley told the crowd that yesterday's gathering was an expression of the support which Tobagonians living in Trinidad had with Tobagonians in Tobago- "that we stand side by side with you in defence of Tobago's heritage". 

"We have every confidence that the at the end of the day the decency, that quiet dignity, the ambition of Tobagonians to be the best that the country can be, will prevail when the time comes in Tobago and the time has come," he said.

reproduced from express Trinidad.

Chief Secretary Calls for Clean Campaign.

Chief Secretary, Orville London 

THA Chief Secretary Orville London is appealing to contenders in the January 21 Assembly Election for a decent campaign.

Saying he was speaking as Chief Secretary, London told reporters at the weekly post Executive Council media briefing that he has been "very disappointed to date at the level to which some of the campaign rhetoric has been generated".

He said he was really hoping that all leaders and persons having conversation with the public of Tobago will focus on the issues and not allow the conversation to degenerate into character assignation and vicious personal attacks.

"I really want to urge all of us as leaders to ensure that we keep the campaign at a level where we can be comfortable that after the election is over that the healing process will not be too difficult," he said.

London added: "We have to bear in mind that above everything else we are Tobagonians and regardless of the outcome of the election we have to live here as Tobagonians and we all have a responsibility to understand that the way in which we campaign could influence the way in which we govern.

"I want to give the assurance that as long as I am associated with any campaign it will be conducted according to the acceptable standard and I really hope that this policy will be followed by those concerned."

reproduced from THA official site

London To Lead Tobago Day in Trinidad on Sunday.

Chief Secretary, Orville London

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly and deputy political leader of the People’s National Movement Orville London will lead hundreds of Tobagonians to a special celebration in Port-of-Spain on Sunday. Called Tobago Day in Trinidad, the event, which is scheduled to take place at Balisier House courtyard, Port-of-Spain, begins at 10 am and ends at 6 pm.

PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said the day would feature Tobago cultural presentations and speeches by London and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. He said the event was expected to grow in participation because the January 21 date of the THA election has been announced.

Meanwhile, the T&T Guardian understands the PNM’s THA election campaign is not expected to begin until next month. The Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) launched its campaign in June and held its family day on the island on Tuesday. The PNM in Tobago has three public meetings scheduled for later this month.

The first takes place this evening in Moriah, the second in Plymouth on November 22 and the third in Roxborough on November 29. Several standing committees of the PNM will be appointed during the party’s General Council meeting, on Sunday. Ford said the remaining ten members of the General Council will also be appointed to complete the central executive.

reproduced from guardian newspaper

Chief Secretary Responds To Ramlogan

Chief Secretary, Orville London

The Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly will not be bullied by the Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan who continues to use his office to try to intimidate the THA and to persecute the Chief Secretary.

The Attorney General's unwarranted attack on the THA and his suggestion that he will take the Chief Secretary to court if the Chief Secretary does not in one week produce the documents surrounding the Administrative Complex for the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment to the Minister of Finance is not just flawed in law but another example of the Attorney General using his office to try and intimidate the Assembly and the Chief Secretary.

The Attorney General's latest attack comes a mere three days after the Minister of Finance, who sits in the same Cabinet as the Attorney General, wrote to the THA in which he accepted that putting together the documents will take some time and that there was a need for completeness.

The Minister of Finance wrote to the Chief Secretary saying: "I appreciate the need to ensure that the Assembly acts appropriately and with some degree of completeness with respect to its response in this matter and I look forward to receiving the information as soon as it becomes available."

The Chief Secretary wishes to state categorically that at no time has the Assembly delayed in handing over documents relating to the Administrative Complex for the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment to Minister of Finance Larry Howai.

While the Minister of Finance is in no position in law to demand that the documents are handed over, the Chief Secretary and the THA feel that due to the public debate on the matter it will be necessary to make the document available to the public and by extension to the Minister of Finance.

The Chief Secretary assures the people of Tobago and the people of Trinidad and Tobago that as soon as the documents are ready they will be provided to the public so the people of Tobago and Trinidad will see for themselves the details of the project and the Minister of Finance will also be provided with the documents.

It will be irresponsible of the Chief Secretary and the Assembly if they were to produce an incomplete dossier for the Minister of Finance and the general public as a result of undue haste. The reality is that the project took three years to be negotiated. Therefore there are many documents that are pertinent to the transaction that would have been prepared and exchanged which have to be identified and made available.

In that context the public officers in the Assembly are working with diligence to prepare all the documents for the Minister and Finance and the public and no amount of bullying or innuendo by the Attorney General will change this fact.

reproduced by from THA official site 

Ramlogan Threatens London with Legal Action

Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan

In a story carried by the express, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has threaten the Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London to submit documents pertaining to the Milshirv project and the aquatic centre project to  the Minister of Finance Larry Howai. 

Ramlogan stated that his request must be satisfied within a one week period or else London would be taken to court under the Freedom of Information Act, in an effort to compel him to release the documents. The Attorney General further tries to bully his way as usual by stating if he is "forced" to issue legal proceedings against London, he (Ramlogan) would also be forced to invite the Court to order London to pay the Legal costs personally out of his pockets as opposed to it coming out of the THA coffers. 

Ramlogan said he was giving London one more week because he did not want it to be said that "we are hounding Mr London or acting in an aggressive manner against him". "I am repeating the call to him through you (the media) to behave in a responsible and mature manner and disclose the documents or else face the consequences," the Attorney General stated. 

Last month Howai wrote London giving him seven days to submit the documents pertaining to the two projects. London in a press briefing stated that Howai, has to wait a little longer than his seven days stipulation. London further stated that under the laws and the T&T Constitution the Finance Minister has no authority to instruct him to provide information to him within any timeframe.

Further, London indicated that in the interest of public disclosure and due to the considerable discussion that surrounded the transaction he has a responsibility to make the information available to the Minister as well as the general public.

However, even with these assurances, the Attorney General seeks to take draconian measure  against the Chief Secretary and more so Tobago House of Assembly. 

This boldface, daring, audacious and irresponsible use of power against the Highest institution of the people of Tobago must be condemned.  If the Minister does not have the "Powers" to instruct the Chief Secretary, that Minister, be him Howai or any other must wait for the provision of documents, given that explanations are forthcoming and it is done in a reasonable time.  There must be no support for the PP Government carrying the Tobago House of Assembly to Court, given that the documents are already submitted to Integrity Commission and as such an investigation can be pending or might be ongoing. 

As a result of Ramlogan's action, we must conclude therefore, that the Attorney General is NOT interested in transparency and accountability as he is purporting, rather he is interested in Politicking and his urgent quest for information is only to actively assist and satisfy the PP in their witch-hunt for political reasons or ends to damage the PNM as heavy campaigning for votes is soon to begin before the THA election.

Let the Attorney General be reminded that we the citizens of Tobago are watching their (PP) every move as it relates to Autonomy  of the office of the Chief Secretary,(note not the person) and any attack on the Office would be met with great displeasure, discomfort, resistance and aggression from the people of Tobago. 

In a previous post, London said he wanted to make it very clear that the decision not to submit the documents within seven days to Howai was by no means meant to prevent the information from being made public; "Quite the contrary, we want to ensure that at the same time the Minister has the information, the public has the information," London added.

Howai Has to Wait.

Chief Secretary, Orville London

Chief Secretary, Orville London yesterday indicated that Finance Minister Larry Howai has to wait a little longer than the seven days for documents on the $143M MILSHIRV office complex at Shirvan, in southwest Tobago.

Howai wrote the THA Chief Secretary last week requesting that all documents relating to the office complex being built for the Assembly under a BOLT (Build Own Lease Transfer) arrangement be made available to him by seven (7) days. 

In a media conference yesterday, London indicated that under the laws and the T&T Constitution the Finance Minister has no authority to instruct him to provide information to him within any timeframe.

However, London indicated that in the interest of public disclosure and due to the considerable discussion that surrounded the transaction he has a responsibility to make the information available to the Minister as well as the general public.

London further indicated that he has would send a letter to Minister Howai on Thursday (1st November 2012) explaining that the various documents are being vetted by Senior Council and the THA Senior State Council following which the information will be made available to the public and to him.

London also disclosed at the weekly Post Executive Council media briefing on Wednesday (31st October 2012) that the Integrity Commission had written him requesting that the documents on the MILSHIRV office complex be produced within seven days.

The Tobago Chief Secretary said the Integrity Commission has the legal authority to so instruct and therefore that information will be made available to it within the seven days. He added that more or less the same information that was going to be made available in the public domain will be made available to the commission for it to continue its investigation.

London said he wanted to make it very clear that the decision not to submit the documents within seven days to Howai was by no means meant to prevent the information from being made public; "Quite the contrary, we want to ensure that at the same time the Minister has the information, the public has the information," London added.