Anslem Richards: PNM caused Tobago to lose $1.8 Billion

Anslem Richards,
defeated Tobago Organization of the People (TOP)
candidate for Belle Garden/Delaford in the last THA polls 

When the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) shot down the Tobago Bill in the national Parliament prior to the January 21 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, it rejected a $1.8 Billion increase in the budgetary allocation for Tobago, according to Anslem Richards. This position was presented by Richards, a defeated Tobago Organization of the People (TOP) candidate for Belle Garden/Delaford in the last THA polls. He was at the time delivering a scathing attack on the PNM at a public meeting held by a splinter group calling itself the Forwards of the TOP in Bethel two Saturdays ago.

Disrespectful and Disingenuous

The TOP and PP leopards can never change their spots. During the months prior to the January 21, 2013 election, they bombarded the Tobago electorate with half-truths and outright lies. They disrespected the Assembly and the other Tobago institutions; they disregarded the duly elected Members of the Assembly and they attempted to bribe and bully the island’s residents. Tobagonians rejected that insulting treatment and that insensitive posture in a decisive manner at the polls and one would have expected that, for some reasonable period of time, the lessons of the election wipeout would have resonated with the Tobago Organization of the People and their People’s Partnership managers.

Recent actions have signalled that there is no hope of any change and disrespectful and disingenuous behaviour will continue to be the order of the day. It must be disheartening to all right-thinking Tobagonians, regardless of their political affiliation, that just five weeks after the election and a mere two weeks after Chief Secretary Orville London and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar would have finally met and discussed issues of concern, that Minister of National Security Jack Warner should come to Tobago to discuss the island’s security issues with Minister for Tobago Development, Delmon Baker to the exclusion of any representation from the Tobago House of Assembly. Ministers Warner and Baker must be reminded that the practice over the years, has been that the Ministers of National Security and the Chief Secretary would collaborate in hosting regular meetings to which the Tobago based Ministers of Government, the relevant Secretaries, Administrators and Heads of Divisions in the Tobago House of Assembly and the Heads of the various units of the Ministry of National Security would be invited. At these meetings, crucial issues would be discussed and decisions could often be made “on the spot” and implemented because all the Stakeholders would have been present. The new approach by Ministers Warner and Baker is not only insulting and disrespectful but counterproductive. The Ministers would have basked in their media moments but, as in so many other situations in the past thirty-three months, the implementation is frustrating because of the refusal of the Central Government to cooperate with the Assembly in a meaningful and productive manner.

The Minister of National Security, in typical Warner style, compounded the insult by asserting that the Minister of Tobago Development is responsible for security in Tobago. This was the same type of argument used to support the claim of a former Minister of Tobago Development that her Ministry was responsible for the Tobago Regional Health Authority. The Minister and her theory have since been discarded but it is tiring for the Assembly to be consistently involved in fighting battles that they thought that they had already won. It is even more frustrating at this time when Chief Secretary Orville London who instead of gloating over his party’s overwhelming victory, extended an open hand of cooperation and goodwill across the waters, only to be met with a clenched fist.

Anslem Richards and his TOP colleagues have also not learnt that the people of Tobago are not easily fooled and that they punish those who try to mamaguy them and insult their intelligence. Still smarting from his unsuccessful foray into representative politics, Anslem Richards deliberately misrepresented information ”spirited out” of the Division of Finance and Enterprise Development to create the impression that the Assembly had distributed 4000 food cards in the two weeks prior to the January 21st election. Faced with documented evidence that in fact, only 143 cards have been distributed over a three-month period and that the process is rigid, transparent and free of interference from the political directorate, Richards does not have the grace to apologize but has now shifted his focus to the relationship between the Assembly and the bank. The Council is confident that the Tobago electorate will continue to remind Anslem Richards that they will not treat kindly with Tobagonians who are prepared to manipulate information in an effort to demean their political opponents and enhance their public image.

Minister Delmon Baker is also not averse to tinkering with the truth in his bid to revive his badly tarnished image. He has now embarked on a ploy to pose with all visiting Ministers and give Tobagonians the impression that the Ministry is responsible for development initiatives in Tobago. His latest claim is that his Ministry is embarking on a programme to introduce Internet Communication Technology in Tobago. Minister Baker omitted to inform Tobagonians that contrary to the impression given by him and his Cabinet colleague, Minister Griffith, the lone Central Government initiated Information Centre at Bon Accord was placed there in 2008, under the previous PNM Administration. It is the Tobago House of Assembly which has embarked on a programme of “setting up” Walk-in Centres around the island and installing computer labs in secondary and primary schools. This programme will be intensified during this term of the Assembly and the Tobago people will be given accurate information on the progress and impact of this initiative.

Disrespectful and disingenuous behaviour can only be counteracted by the dissemination of accurate and timely information. The people have to be informed and involved. The Tobago Council of the People’s National Movement is, therefore, highly supportive of the present Assembly’s threat to democratize the Government process in Tobago. That process will ensure that those who continue to mamaguy and mislead, will continue to be frustrated.

By The Tobago Council People’s National Movement

Orville Calls for Two Independent Councillors.

Dr. Keith Rowley and his Wife

Newly sworn-in Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has written to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar calling for the law to be changed to allow an alternative voice on the totally People's National Movement (PNM)-controlled THA.

Speaking to reporters following yesterday's inauguration of the new THA in Scarborough, Tobago, London said he has written to the Prime Minister and copied the letter to the Opposition in which he is recommending Parliament should meet and have the President appoint two independent councillors in his own discretion.

There is now no Minority Leader in the Assembly following the election whereby the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) lost all its seats to the PNM. TOP leader Ashworth Jack previously held the post.

It is customary, according to the THA Act 40 of 1996, that the minority in the Assembly elects one councillor on the advice of the Minority Leader.

"I said two because what that will mean is that you will have the opportunity for those councillors to move motions, have the motions seconded, and guarantee we will have a debate," London said.

London said the matter should be done as a matter of urgency as it augurs well for the well-being and organisation of the Assembly.

In addition, within the next two weeks London said he will be meeting with interest groups, economist Dr Vanus James, Platform of Truth leader Hochoy Charles, the Chamber of Commerce and the Youth League on the way forward for Tobago.

He also wants his secretaries and assistant secretaries to be more in touch with their communities.

"I'll also be advising or maybe instructing that they must hold sessions with their electoral districts at least once a month," London said.

He said the new faces added to his team were a blending of youth and experience.

Commenting on Jack's absence from the ceremony, London said as far as he was aware, all political parties which took part in the election received invitations. The only person observed in the chamber representing the TOP was former assemblyman Steve Jack. Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation, has replaced Hilton Sandy who had made the controversial statement of the "Calcutta' ship as deputy THA chief secretary.

Members of the new THA: THA Chief Secretary: Orville London Deputy Chief Secretary: Assemblywoman: Tracey Davidson-Celestine Assemblywoman: Claudia Groome- Duke, also appointed Leader of Assembly Business Assemblyman: Hilton Sandy, stripped of his former portfolio of Deputy Chief Secretary. Assemblyman: Huey Cadette Assemblyman: Joel Jack Assemblyman: Handel Beckles Assemblyman: Sheldon Cunningham Assemblyman: Ancil Dennis Assemblyman: Jomo Pitt Assemblyman: Hayden Spencer Presiding Officer: Kelvin Charles Councillor: Denise Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus Councillor: Dion Isaac, also appointed Deputy Presiding Officer Councillor: Gary Melville.

Reproduced from 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.

THA to formally convene without Minority Leader

 Orville London Leader of the PNM
Tobago Council

The absence of a Minority Leader of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will not stop the inauguration of the new executive tomorrow at the THA's Assembly Hall. This was the sentiments expressed by Orville London, leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council. London indicated that he has been in discussion with President George Maxwell Richards about this unprecedented situation in the THA, in which there is no official opposition, and was advised that the Assembly can be convened. 

London noted that the position of Minority Leader will be declared vacant on Thursday and that no minority councillor will be appointed. He further noted that this is the first time the Assembly will have to function with 15 members instead of the customary 16. Adding that he would support a motion in the Parliament 

London indicated he would support a motion in Parliament authorizing the President to appoint two councillors of the Assembly in a case where there is no Minority Leader.  Stating that he would also indicate this to the Prime Minister by way of Letter. 

He informed the media that the THA would be formally convened tomorrow, while Secretaries would be sworn in on Friday at President's House in Tobago.

There have been concerns expressed about a lack of Opposition voices in the THA following Monday's clean sweep of the 12 seats in the election by the PNM. A situation which have not gone unnoticed by the Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. 

However, political analyst Derek Ramsamooj yesterday said a total PNM win for the THA should cause no fear whatsoever with respect to the decision-making processes of a clearly defined executive majority in the assembly. noting that there were numerous examples throughout the history of the Commonwealth where political executives have won without legislated opposition.

"We remember the no-vote campaign in T&T in 1972 resulting in no elected opposition. We can also recall that in 1986, the NAR had a clear majority 33-3, and therefore could have changed the Constitution any way they chose.

"Again in 1999 in Grenada, Keith Mitchell, leader of the main New National Party, won all 15 seats; so there are instances in the Commonwealth that followed the Westminster political system, where a political entity would have won all the parliamentary seats."

He said that is why the "Constitution of our countries separates the legislature from the executive and the judiciary, which therefore allows for internal checks and balances. We can all remember in the 18-18 of 2001 election and, in that regard, the President used his discretion".

Ramsamooj said the Constitution has the capacity to curb any form of legislative or executive act that may be viewed as unconstitutional.

PNM Youth Rally 13000 Strong.

Jamaican Artist Konshens
At PNM Youth Rally Tobago

No one could doubt that between 2010 and 2012 PNM's youth arm have become a vibrant, enthusiastic and pulsating aspect of the Party itself.  Last night, the positive efforts of their youth arm was evident in magnitude of  the crowd their show at the Dwight York Stadium Car Park was able to attract. The protective services estimated the crowd somewhere between 11000 to 13,000.

Beginning with the  political arm, political leader Dr. Keith Rowley among others who are contesting the election spoke, urging the crowd to transform their presence into votes on Monday 21 January. 

The crowd which started off a little smaller than usual, notably with lot of the elders missing, came to life as supporters dressed in PNM apparel filtered in with a steady flow. Soon the Car park was literally a sea of red with only the musical and stage show equipments parting the crowd at the back.  

The composition of artist was incredible, from local small talents to house hold names like Princess Adana and Positive to Trinidad Acts such as Yankey Boy and D.J Trevlin, dance group performances to the most anticipated main performance, Jamaican Artist Konshens, who did not disappoint the waiting crowd leaving them wanting more.  

Tomorrow, PNM massive rally assemble at Scarborough from eight where there would be a prayer session before they Rally their troops around Tobago in a last effort to stir and persuade persons to vote in favor of them on Monday 21 January.

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