Legislation to aid the Tobago House of Assembly in enforcing the rules and regulations of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park is coming soon.
Speaking to TTT News, Member of Parliament for Tobago West, Joel Sampson, assured that a lot of advocacy has been happening in the background to convince the Cabinet to consider bringing the Draft Marine Park Bill 2020 to Parliament.
This comes days after the tragic jet ski incident in Pigeon Point which claimed the life of seven-year-old Angelica Jogie.
“In very short order we will take it to the Parliament, and I will be heavily involved. My colleague, the Member of Parliament for Tobago East as well would be involved in such debates, you know, we have to bring that legislation because we have to have some laws regulated to deal with the Marine Park because persons have been operating ad hoc.”
In 2020, the Assembly Legislature unanimously passed a motion called the “Draft Marine Park Bill” in order to allow the THA greater control over designated marine parks.
Currently, the Constitution does not allow the THA enforcement powers. That largely resides with law enforcement authorities such as the TTPS. The Bill features provisions to allow the imposition of fines, prohibition of activities and powers of enforcement. It was delivered to the Cabinet in 2020.
Mr. Sampson is confident that the Bill will go to Parliament before the end of this current Parliamentary session.