Tobago – The first order of business for the newly installed Progressive Democratic Patriots is the re-opening of beaches in Tobago which dominated Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will address.
The political leader Watson Duke has declared that the PDP is “in charge” in Tobago and will not take orders from Trinidad.
He made the comments at a victory speech in Roxborough on Monday night.
Incoming Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the reopening of beaches is something that will be debated in the THA.
“We will meet, we will consider it, we will take it to the Tobago House of Assembly for a debate, and then that will direct the motion,” he said.
Augustine reiterated the first order of business will be to get the Executive started and going because that is what is responsible for moving the legislature.
He stated the swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow and, by Friday, there will be the swearing-in of secretaries.
“We ought to have the first sitting of the House early next week so there will be rapid movements over the next week and a half as we get the THA up and running after almost a year of not operating and being stagnant,” he said.
Augustine said he is willing to work with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and hopes Rowley can rise to the occasion.
“This election result is clear rejection of his direction. It’s a rejection of his bullying tactics when it comes to Tobago, and I hope he pivots from that posturing and moves himself to a place where we can actually work together because you have an island to develop that he himself has admitted has not developed quite as quickly as it ought to, given that we have expended close to $41 billion over the last 21 years,” he said.
