Chief Secretary Elect Farley Augustine says the newly elected executive is ready to build on the work it began four years ago.
Following his party’s historic clean sweep in Monday’s Tobago House of Assembly Elections, Mr. Augustine said the new Executive is expected to be sworn in by Thursday.
“So that will happen first, and that will result in the selection and swearing-in of a Chief Secretary and Deputy Chief Secretary. For those who don’t know, unlike the National Parliament, a Chief Secretary is not appointed by the President at all. In fact, the President has no real say in the selection of a Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary is actually voted for from among the elected members of the House, and once that happens, you then elect a Deputy Chief Secretary.”
Mr. Augustine noted that while the party won all 15 seats, the public will be allowed to have its say in the governance of the island.
“Given that we want all seats, we are anxious to ensure that we put provisions and mechanisms in place so that the public can continue to have a say, the public can speak to their representatives, that their voices can be heard, including criticisms, and so that we don’t move over the next four years with a heavy hand and become elected dictators, but that we manage the affairs of Tobago in such a way that the people of Tobago are justly proud and that the people of Tobago can participate directly in the democracy.”
Commenting on his party’s victory, Mr. Augustine described it as an exciting one.
“I think the decisive factor had to have been the rollout of the blueprints for Tobago and the amount of work we placed in getting the island prepared for a progressive agenda. Part of that rollout included a reflection on the last four years and what we were able to deliver in the last four years. In that rollout, we touched on almost every single facet of Tobago’s development that was required.”
The TPP Leader said the low voter turnout in the election is something the new executive intends to address this term.