New T&TEC Sub-station Open in Studley Park

A loud hum at T&TEC’s new Studley Park sub-station at exactly 11:13 a.m. today signalled that residents of Windward Tobago will now have a more reliable electricity supply.

General Manager Kelvin Ramsook said this first phase of the sub-station was birthed out of town meetings with residents of Windward Tobago, including Charlotteville, almost one year ago. In this first phase, 33 kilo volts (kv) have now been energised, and phase two will include the completion of the more permanent 66KV sub-station at Studley Park. 

Power Outage Plague Residents of Mason Hall

The residents of Mason Hall are outraged at the frequency in lost of power over the pass days. The residents  are calling upon the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission to rectify the problem with all urgency. 

Residents of Mason Hall have been experiencing frequent interruptions in their electricity supply from Thursday last-week, with the frequency of these interruptions increasing over the weekend.

In one night electricity was recorded as going in excess of five times, sometimes returning in less than two minutes of the interruption. 

The residents of Mason Hall have expressed grave concern to this development, as these power outrages are causing gross inconveniences to domestic and business personnel and pose an immediate threat to the state of persons appliances. 

Information reaching Tobagodaily indicates that T&TEC have deployed two emergency crew to try and ascertain the cause of the power outages. Meanwhile the members of Mason would welcome an explanation to this unfortunate development and look forward to the regular and reliable supply of electricity to its community. 

Harsh Reality-Tobago Virtually Crippled

T&Tec Trucks Lined Up 

Earlier this week, a situation which could have grave consequences on the lives of every Tobagonian was addressed. The article 'Back to Stone Age' was written in an effort to highlight to all how vulnerable we are to power outages that could literally send us 20 yrs back into the past. Yesterday, the population of Tobago (de Jure or de facto) were met with the harsh reality of how dire and wide ranging this potential dilemma could be. For more than two thirds of the day inhabitants were literally left at the mercy of the elements.  Punished, because of the in-actions and slothfulness of many in addressing the breached submarine line that supplies Tobago with Electricity. Thus, Tobago was left without essential amenities as there were no water in taps (in certain places), telephones were down, and customers of mobile phones could only sparingly engage in its use as to preserve what little power  they might have had. This my readers is a crisis, which needs the support of all affected. Tobagonians, must without fail condemn this atrocity, as we must pay, undisputably with extensive damage to property and harsh inconveniences to our daily lives. A problem neglected and unaddressed for 5 months  virtually crippling the affairs of an Island. Yet in a public relation stunt, welcomed by many, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission,  dispatched Mr. Ramsook to give us feeble explanations of the underlying problem, and assurance of comfort when on July 10th (2012) speaking to the Express Newspaper, he indicated, that T&TEC had everything under control in relation to the power supply on the sister isle.

Tobago, it is time we sound the trumpet again, to the persons who are charged with the responsibility of addressing this situation. It is time for them to consciously and enthusiastically treat with and repair this failed submarine cable. Moreover, it is crucial that we take our way  and quality of life seriously. We are not second class citizens and in essence, must not be treated as such. Forget the foolish rhetoric and racial intonations that politicians may try to ascribe when 'we' speak for what is justly deserved by all. Do not be muzzled for fear that you may be labeled as "political". Tobago is for Tobagonians, our resources must be used to enrich the lives of our people above all else, and for that I make no apologies. Tobago must not suffer at the hands of Trinidad, Tobago must enjoy the same quality of life enjoyed by Trinidadians, furthermore,  Tobago must live equitably to Trinidad.

Fix the submarine cable, and quit with the talk show papi-show antics!!

Written by O.J.Noel

13th July, 2012 

  

Tobago, Back to Stone Age

Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary,
Orville London

The Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary, Orville London have stated that Tobago has been set back 20 years. He made this comment in relation to a submarine cable providing TSTT and T&TEC services that have been down since February 2012. 

In what he described as untenable, he calls on the relevant authority, the Ministry of Utilities, to address the problem of the defunct cable so as to restore normal communications services to the island of Tobago. 

The ramifications of this is wide spread. At the moment TSTT have discontinued its subscriptions for Internet services. It therefore means, persons wishing to pursue online courses, would now have to postpone or enroll in tradition methods,leaving jobs and family to go to Trinidad.  Further, the bandwidth for Tobago have thus been reduced, resulting in interruptions while streaming media, and increasing the time of uploads and file downloads. Further, businesses depending primarily on TSTT services face enormous interuptions, which can amount to financial loses. In addition,  it means that old subscribers would not be receiving the correct upload and download speeds for which you are currently paying for. Thus, Tobagonians must demand a rebate immediately. 

As for energy consumption, T&TEC is using the the diesel powered plant at the COVE to generate about 64 megawatts, to feed Tobago. As it stands, there is no redundancy systems in place for either of the two major Utilities and as such Tobago remains an Island that is at risk to the Dark Ages. 

In wake of all of this, Tobagonians are with concern observing the treatment meted out to them by the powers that be. Are the Ministers within the PP government sidelining the needs of Tobagonians, and reduces us to mere after thoughts on their agendas. Is it a deliberate plan to destroy the comfortable lives to which Tobagonians have enjoyed?  It is fasiciting to observe the treatment of Tobago and its people post 2010. Tobago have been plummeted to a 19th century Island. First CAL removed Tobago from being a destination stop, (a critical blow to tourism the backbone of Tobago economy). Then the cancellations of en route Cruise Ships to Scarborough a further blow to direct tourism. Moreover, to add insult to injury, Tobago must now restart the discussion of Internal Self Government, in addition,  to this prolong disruption of key infrastructure that is critical to almost every facet of Tobago's development. 

This continue discrimination against the needs of Tobagonians must end, before the lives of its citizens are plunged further into the Stone Age.   

Written by O.J.Noel

o9, July 2012