Kamla agrees to talks with London

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar (left) and
Chief Secretary Orville London (right)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has agreed to meet chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London to discuss the process for the granting of internal self-governance to Tobago and other issues of national interest. London had written to the Prime Minister requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the issue and in her response she noted that many of the items outlined in his proposed agenda needed to be addressed immediately. She asked him to  contact her office to arrange a meeting at a mutually convenient date and time.

Besides  self-governance, the other items London wanted to discuss included:

• a review of the relationship between ministers of government and secretaries in the assembly

• funding for the housing programme in Tobago

• THA representation on relevant national boards and committees

• Quarterly “non-crisis” meetings between the Prime Minister and himself

• Central government collaboration in the revitalisation of the Tobago economy

London told Wednesday’s post-executive council media briefing it was heartening the Prime Minister responded to his letter specifically mentioning the granting of self- governance. He recalled that at their last meeting in February he had recommended a process that he thought would bring some kind of closure to the issue and allow them to finally have a bill that would bring resolution. “I am hoping that we would be able to further this particular issue and these discussions would take place sooner rather than later,” he said. The chief secretary is also hoping to meet with National Security Minister Emmanuel George at a Fire Service passing-out parade tomorrow to firm up arrangements for a meeting with National Security units and representatives of the assembly to discuss security issues affecting Tobago.

George has already said he is  willing to meet with London after discussions with acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.

Source: TrinidadGuardian

Chief Secretary Meets Prime Minister

The first meeting between the newly installed Chief Secretary, Orville London and the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is to take place on Thursdays 21 February.  This meeting is to be held at the office of the Prime Minister located in St. Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad. 

The Chief Secretary in one of his first request after retaining his office called on the Prime Minister for things to be done differently. As a result, the Chief Secretary's office have requested urgent meetings with the Prime Minister to discuss three issues pertinent to Tobago. These issues surrounds 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.

The Prime Minister and Chief Secretary have not met in almost a year. Section 31 of the THA Act states 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.