Anand Ramlogan Backs Down From Milshirv Battle

Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has backed down from his High Court battle against the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in the controversial multi-million-dollar Milshirv project at Shirvan, Tobago.

Instead, Ramlogan has asked the court to change his initial application for judicial review of the THA’s decision to enter into a form of financing known as Build, Own, Lease, Transfer (BOLT) which was deemed as “illegal” to instead give an interpretation as to the “true extent” of the THA’s powers under the THA Act Chap: 25:03.

Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, sitting in the Port of Spain High Court, Hall of Justice, yesterday issued a consent order to this effect.

This now means the way has been cleared for the resumption of construction of the $143 million Milshirv office complex for the THA Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment.

Ramlogan had filed civil proceedings against the Tobago House of Assembly in January this year, requesting a judicial review of its decision to enter into a BOLT arrangement with Milshirv Properties Ltd to build the complex on 12 acres of land at the junction of the Claude Noel Highway and Shirvan Road in Lowlands, south-western Tobago. 

Since then work had come to a standstill on the project.

Ramlogan had taken action on the eve of the hotly-contested Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections and the Milshirv deal was a burning topic on the political platform by the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), a coalition partner of the ruling People’s Partnership Government. 

At the time as well, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had called for the project to be halted, and a probe be conducted into what she called questionable dealings of the THA.

Persad-Bissessar also called on the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Integrity Commission to become involved in the investigations. 

At the time of the AG’s decision to take the THA to court over the BOLT arrangement, London had already secured separate legal opinions of former attorney general, John Jeremie, SC and acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith, who both confirmed the ability of the THA to enter into a BOLT arrangement. 

Jeremie’s opinion was specific to Milshirv while Hamel-Smith’s was on the BOLT arrangement.

Milshirv and First Citizens Bank were joined as parties in the proceedings, but  Justice Boodoosingh in his consent order stated that Milshirv and First Citizens be removed as parties to the proceedings.

According to a THA statement yesterday, “During the hearing Alvin Fitzpatrick SC representing the Attorney General submitted a letter from Finance Minister Larry Howai to London dated Friday, July 19.”

The letter stated that the BOLT arrangement for the project was done without the consent of the Finance Minister, and on this basis it was being challenged. 

The THA had however contended it did not require the Minister’s consent to enter into such an arrangement, including the finance component.

Howai, in his letter, said, “It was evident that the question as to whether the THA can enter into such arrangement including the financing component, without the consent of the Minister of Finance, was an important issue which required the guidance of the court.”

Howai also indicated he had been informed by the Attorney General of the change from judicial review to one of “interpretation for the court to determine the true extent of the THA’s powers under the THA Act.” 

But even as the court decides on this new application, Howai has given the green light for the resumption of the project. 

In his letter, he explained, this was “...in view of the possibility that the rights of innocent third parties, in particular Milshirv Properties Limited and FCB Limited, may be adversely affected by the court proceedings as presently constituted and in the interest of good public administration to approve under section 51(b) of the THA Act and all enabling powers, the construction of the office complex as well as the lease and mortgage of the same to the THA and FCB pursuant to the BOLT arrangements entered between the THA and Milshirv.”

He has also approved “under the Act expenditure for the payment of lease rents to Milshirv under the proposed office lease between the THA and Milshirv”.

Alvin Fitzpatrick SC represented the Attorney General, John Jeremy SC represented the THA, while Milshirv was represented by Fyard Hosein SC and Milshirv by Douglas Mendes SC.

Source:trinidadexpress

Ramlogan Seeks To Have Rowley Declared Bankrupt over 12000 $

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is seeking to have Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley be declared bankrupt by the courts for not paying him sums owed from a court order.

Last week, Ramlogan initiated court proceedings against Rowley to recover the $12,000 owed to him from a court order made by Justice Andre des Vignes on January 14.  

Ramlogan’s lawyer, Rachael Jaggernauth, had written to Rowley’s attorney, Senator Faris Al-Rawi on four occasions in a bid to have the sum settled since the order.

In March 2012, Ramlogan had issued a pre-action protocol letter to Rowley objecting to a statement he made that the AG had given over 50 per cent of the State’s legal briefs to his former law firm.  

Ramlogan denied the allegation and countered that he had not given a single State brief to his law firm. 

  

Ramlogan contends that Rowley has failed to pay the judgment debt for approximately five months. 

 The AG noted the Constitution disqualifies any citizen from serving in Parliament if he is bankrupt and if Rowley is declared bankrupt he would be barred by the Constitution from serving as an MP and consequently as Leader of the Opposition.  

The AG’s legal move, which was filed last Friday, comes two days before the House of Representatives debates a Rowley-initiated motion of no confidence against the Government.

The AG has had three defamation lawsuits against the Opposition Leader. 

Ramlogan challenged statements made by Rowley, which allegedly implied that there was some collusion between the AG and the High Court on the judicial review case based on statements filed by businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh seeking to quash Ramlogan’s decision to extradite them to face trial in the United States. 

In April Justice Harris ordered Rowley to pay Ramlogan legal costs but Rowley successfully appealed this Order and was given a reprieve on two-thirds of those costs which are yet to be assessed.

The Opposition Leader also has to defend a third set of defamation proceedings brought by the Attorney General based on his statements that Ramlogan had abused his powers as the Attorney General to seek private banking information details about citizens.  That claim was filed on February 18 but no defence has been filed to date. 

A three-month extension was granted to Rowley to file his defence.  

Source: trinidadexpress

Jack Warner: THA Election Blatant Tribalism

Jack Warner, Minister of National Security

In a desperate bid to prop up support for the Peoples Partnership, Jack Warner in his assessment of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election stated that the result reflected how palpable the notion of fear among African population can be. Warner believed that the people of Tobago succumbed to a fear that was preached by  the PNM "It was rank and of course blatant tribalism, it was race at its worst" He said.

Noting that the people of Tobago did not consider the level of corruption and nepotism of the PNM's administration, He said they only took into account the message of an invasion, something that would imprison them. Jack Warner and the Prime Minister were heavily active and involved in the lead up to the THA election 2013, opening a New Gas Station and a branch of UTT, while walking the streets canvassing for their associate Ashworth Jack. He noted that the PP government would have to do some introspection, but more critically  assess how the UNC and its supporters are viewed by certain section of the society. 

Warner was not the only person which stated that "Race" was the deciding factor. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan another UNC member stated that PNM's THA election campaign was "clearly race based" and that Hilton Sandy's "Calcutta" statement was a defining milestone.  

Meanwhile Bhoe Tewarie expressed shock at the PNM's landslide victory while Ramadher sees TOP's loss in the THA's election as a big wake up call for the Government.

Documents For the MILSHIRV BOLT Arrangement Made Public by THA

Justice Minister, Christlyn Moore

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has made good on his word by providing the documents relating to the the controversial multi-million-dollar Milshirv deal for an Administrative Complex. The controversial Build Own Lease Transfer (BOLT) arrangement between the THA and Milshirv can be found in a 224 page document placed on the THA's Website. 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar previously had called for a halt to the project as she questioned the transparency of the deal. Following the matter was referred to the Attorney General, Integrity Commission and Director of Public Prosecutions, with The Integrity Commission writing to London requesting the documents with respect to the contract. 

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan only last week threatened 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. In response, Orville stated that his team was vetting the documents and all would be made public by Wednesday November 21 2012.

The BOLT arrangement surrounding the Milshirv deal has been a contentious one raised by the People's Partnership and Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) as the THA elections nears.

Yesterday the Senate debate was lessened to a Political Campaign by the Justice Minister. 

The Justice Minister Christlyn Moore yesterday strongly accused the PNM THA of maladministration and criticized London for not submitting the documents as she said the Finance Minister Larry Howai was not yet in receipt of the documents.

Moore further accused the PNM of finacial improprity and stirring racial contention on the sister isle. She said reports from the auditor general for 2003, 2004 and 2005 show that the THA books were not in order and millions were unaccounted for.

She added, "PNM THA insulted Tobagonians by averring that if you vote for the TOP, Indians will take their land. She then stated that those assertion were shocking and shameful, and were degrading to the person who utters it as well as it is degrading to the person to whom it is uttered. she continued  saying "It is repulsive, it is repugnant to the democratic principles espoused in a global village and the success of that odious infamous message is premised on the assumed idiocy of the listener!".

Her political campaign continued as she then criticised the PNM for hosting a Tobago day last weekend in Trinidad. She said for years people of Tobago had to suffer and come to Trinidad to get a birth certificate and other official documents.

"Now we have come here to get cold food and hot beers, height of contempt. You want Tobagonians to come to a Tobago family day but you hold it in Port of Spain? So high do you hold us in your regard and Tobago people are not blind...we are alive to these ruses and that is why, Mr president, the hot beers and cold food fiesta buss because Tobagonians are not of that," Moore said.

Documents to the MILSHIRV project can be found at this link

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.

THA VINDICATED

The onslaught from the Peoples Partnership (PP) came fast and furious in the MILSHIV project undertaken by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Sport Minister Anil Roberts was the first to launch a scaling attack of words alleging corruption and wrongdoing by Chief Secretary Orville London in the Parliament during the 2012-2013 budget debate two weeks ago. Like if that was not enough, the Prime Minister took her punch in a bid to finish off the THA and ultimately secure a winning spot in the THA election carded for January 2013. The prime Minister threatened to stop the project and advised that she had referred the matter to the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan for swift investigation. Anand last week wasted little time and attempted to finish off what was left of the THA in this matter. He indicated that he had referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police, the Integrity Commission and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), all without getting the full facts of the matter at hand. 

However, the THA looked bullet proof. The Chief Secretary stating emphatically, that they have nothing to hide and that the MILSHIV project was above board. But even as the Government was eager to question the legality of the matter in a hope to score cheap political points ahead of the THA election the acting president Hamel Smith gave his support for its legitimacy. The express stated that in a six-page legal opinion commissioned by AIC Capital Market Brokers Ltd, dated January 3, 2011, Senator Hamel-Smith confirmed the ability of the THA to enter into the arrangement, saying there was no law restraining the THA from entering into a lease/leaseback arrangement to develop the Milshirv Administrative Centre for Education, Sport and Youth purposes. the express further stated that in arriving at the decision, the law firm consulted the THA Act Ch 25:03 extensively and investigated several pertinent international cases, which sought to determine whether entities such as the THA had the authority to enter into similar arrangements without breaching the law. 

However, the PP government continues to witch hunt although given the advice to move forward. They continue to maintain that the THA has broken the Law, all in a hope that something may eventually present itself and give them leverage in the THA elections 2013. 

The express stated that in summarising its "advice", Hamel-Smith told the AIC that since the THA has responsibility for education, sports and State lands in Tobago and is required to formulate and implement policy in relation to such responsibilities, leasing the said land can be considered to be an extension of such powers, or alternatively, incidental to such power.

Further, Hamel-Smith added: "Indeed as there is no express prohibition disallowing the THA from dealing with the land vested in it, and the THA is permitted to enter into such contract as it deems fit for the discharge of its functions, leasing and leasing-back the property with the view of acquiring an administrative centre to be used for education, sport, and youth purposes may well be considered within the powers of the THA and, in any event, incidental to such powers."

Hamel-Smith took special note of the THA's responsibilities as enunciated in Section 25 of the Act, which stated among other thing that the THA may "enter into such contracts as it deems fit for the efficient discharge of its functions".

The lawyers pointed out as well that Section 54 states, inter alia that all lands and other property of every kind located in Tobago vested in the State except the residence of the President and Prime Minister, are to be vested in the Assembly in right of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The opinion signed by the acting President made it clear that "there is no express prohibition on the THA restricting its ability to deal with its land", and that the "THA is given wide powers to enter into such contracts as it sees fit for the discharge of its functions"

Government Bolts to Court over THA contract

'LAW BREACHED': Attorney General Anand Ramlogan
Photo by: MICHEAL BRUCE

Government is bolting for the courts.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan yesterday announced that Government is to go to court seeking a declaration that Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London and the Assembly violated Section 51 of the THA Act when it entered into a $143 million BOLT (Build, Own, Lease, Transfer) contract for the Milshirv Administrative Office.

Ramlogan told the Senate the matter had been referred to the Commissioner of Police for immediate investigation, to the Integrity Commission and the Director of Public Prosecutions by the office of the Attorney General.

Ramlogan said he had spent the last two days looking at the matter, which had been referred to him by the Prime Minister.

"When you deconstruct the BOLT arrangement, it is clear that Orville London and the THA breached the law.

"It appears that the THA negotiated an arrangement which was designed to by-pass and circumvent the provisions of the THA Act," he said.

"There are things about it from the start, however you turn it, however you dissect it, it reeks of corruption and misfeasance," the AG declared, to loud tablethumping support.

Ramlogan said Section 51 of the Act states that the THA Secretary may with the approval of the Minister (of Finance) borrow sums by way of term loans for the purposes of capital development.

Stating the Minister knew the country's balance sheet, he said the THA could not use a "disingenuous device" to get around the provision.

"Depending on what the court says, it may well be that the people of Tobago would be saved from this pernicious and oppressive agreement...and that transaction may be voided," he said to more deskthumping.

Ramlogan said there were too many questions to ask, such as: "How did these people (Dankett Limited) know that Orville London wanted an office complex in the first place to come and approach him with the proposal? This man had a piece of land and suddenly he had a vision...a dream, and he run down in his pyjamas and say 'hey Orville, I dream last night yuh wanted a complex and I will build it for yuh'. This is a strange case of political telepathy. Something has to be wrong."

He said he also wanted to ask London whether he paid 18 months' rent in advance in the sum of $21.64 million through a FCB account, "before even a post hole was dug", as soon as the lease was executed.

"Because if that company fold up, that money gone. That is what happened at e TecK and the WGTL (Petrotrin) matter, which are both before the court," the Attorney General said.

"Was this transaction put before the THA? Was there any public disclosure about it at all?" he asked, getting a response of "no" from his colleagues on the Government bench.

Ramlogan said two questions asked by Reginald Dumas, former head of the Public Service, remain unanswered--whether it was necessary to rent 83,000 feet of office space to house the Agricultural Division of the THA, and how come the cost per square foot of land in Milshirv was double the price of land in the capital city, Scarborough.

Reproduced from express Trinidad 

London slams AG over 'false claims'

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has criticised Attorney General Anand Ramlogan for his vow to come after the THA over what he said are false claims of corruption involving the Scarborough Hospital.

Speaking with the media at Balisier House, Port of Spain yesterday, London said he saw Ramlogan's statement in a newspaper report and was quite disappointed and surprised that somebody of that stature would make such a public statement that is based on a false premise.

"How could you make a statement like that and make such a strong statement accusing the THA of corruption over an area which the THA does not have any control. If the AG had taken the time out to do his homework, which he should do as a public officer, he would have known that the Scarborough Regional Hospital is and always has been a Central Government project because the funding initially came from the World Bank and that project has always been under the Ministry of Health and has never been a project under the THA."

London said when he saw the allegation, he questioned Ramlogan's motives for making such a statement because he should know that the project does not come under the remit of the THA.

He said this signals to him that the AG is not about doing his job, but "about spite and malice and political expediency".

"Because how can you make a mistake like that actually accusing the THA over corruption in an area over which the THA does not have any control and if anything gives us an insight into the character and personality and agenda of the AG it is that. I am hoping that the people of Tobago understand what we are dealing with.

"This one act signals that his concern is not about the THA, not about the welfare of the people of Tobago, but how he can manipulate the information to put people in a negative light," London said.

Addressing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar's call for him to call the THA election, London said: "I think all of us know that the THA election is due in 2013 and based on the first statement made by the PM it seems to be quite obvious that the PM did not take time to read the THA Act and understand the implications of the THA Act.

"Because the PM gives the impression that she is going to set the date for the election, once we dissolve the House, but the Act is very clear. Once we dissolve the House, according to the Act after the dissolution of the House you must call the election no less than two months and no more than three months after the dissolution."

London said the election is called by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary and what has happened in the last three times elections were held under the 1996 THA Act, the Chief Secretary always sets the date.

"The Chief Secretary indicates that to the President and then the President passes it on to the Prime Minister and invariably the date set by the Chief Secretary is the date that is normally accepted.

"I am hoping that the Prime Minister does not wish to change that particular tradition," he said.

London also pointed out that there are only two ways that the House can be dissolved–by itself by a majority motion carried, brought by the Chief Secretary, or is automatically dissolved four years after the start of the Assembly.

"So the Assembly can be dissolved sometime in January, either the 28th or the 29th, and then when that happens the whole thing is triggered.

"I am hoping that the Prime Minister will take the time to read the THA Act and understand the implications and not make statements that display a certain amount of arrogance, insensitivity or ignorance about the THA Act," London added.

reproduced from Trinidad Express

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.