Chief Secretary calls for urgent Security Meeting

Chief Secretary Orville London 

THA Chief Secretary Orville London is calling on National Security Minister Jack Warner to reconvene the twice yearly meetings of officials of his Ministry and the Assembly to discuss security issues in Tobago.

London reminded Jack in a letter dated March 18 2013 that the last such meeting was held on March 14 2012. He said these meetings which were held twice a year, provided a forum in which all the stakeholders were able to collaborate in the decision making and implementation processes.

The Chief Secretary said there were a number of issues which required urgent attention or on which there was inadequate information from the Ministry of National Security.

London told Jack he wanted the urgent meeting with him and his officials to discuss all relevant issues including the construction of Police Stations at Old Grande and Roxborough; an increase in the number of officers in the Tobago Division; concerns over communication challenges, transportation needs and the availability of essential equipment in the Tobago Division; plans to manage security in the unique Tobago environment; construction of Fire Services headquarters and Fire Stations in Tobago; security concerns at the Scarborough Port and the ANR Robinson airport, adequate patrols and surveillance of other entry points in Tobago, traffic wardens, the role of the Defence Force in Tobago and a consistent disaggregation of the crime statistics for Tobago and Trinidad.

London added: "Meaningful collaboration between your Ministry and the Tobago House of Assembly is essential if we are to create an environment which would comfort the locals and attract visitors."

However, Jack was in Tobago recently to discuss security issues with Minister of Tobago Development Dr Delmon Baker without meeting with THA officials.

Meanwhile Baker will meet London at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (19th March 2013) at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough to discuss security enhancements in Tobago, construction of a CCTV Operational Centre and implementation of a K9 Unit. Dr Baker has also asked that they discuss the proposed integrated university campus, a school for children with special needs and the old Scarborough Regional Hospital at Fort King George.

Minister of Legal Affairs Senator Christlyn Moore will also hold discussions on Friday (22nd March 2013) with London on the relationship between her Ministry and the Assembly.

London and Secretary of Settlements Assemblyman Huey Cadette will meet Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal on Wednesday (20th March 2013) to discuss the Assembly's housing programme.

The Chief Secretary in his February 22 meeting with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had raised the issues of the relationship between Minister of Government and Secretaries of the Assembly and the fund of Tobago's housing programme.

Source: THAnews