Tobago House of Assembly Minority Leader, Kelvon Morris, is calling on Chief Secretary Farley Augustine to withdraw a motion scheduled to be debated in the Assembly on Thursday.
During a press conference today, Wednesday, Mr. Morris lamented that the motion calling for the Cabinet’s action to address the matter of autonomy is being undertaken without Tobago’s involvement.
Reading from the motion paper to be debated in the Assembly on Thursday, he explained that it noted the Assembly signalled its readiness to work with the government to advance Tobago’s development. It further outlined that the government, through the Attorney General and its Chief Parliamentary Counsel, will work with the THA to draft the legal amendments.
“Be it further resolved that the government review all previous versions of the autonomy bills with input from the THA, identify areas of consensus and refinement, and reintroduce the Bills in Parliament at the shortest possible period; and be it further resolved that the Chief Secretary submits this motion and a supporting policy paper to the Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity following its passage.”
Mr. Morris said this decision is being taken without consultation, despite Mr. Augustine’s earlier promise that a committee would be installed to execute consultations. According to Mr. Morris, while the committee was set up, no consultations were held.
“Those bills also involved widespread consultation with, for, and included all the people of Tobago. So then why, in this version, in this process, why is Farley Chavez Augustine attempting to exclude you, the people of Tobago? And my conclusion is this is nothing more than a continued sell-out of Tobago.”
Mr. Morris said a letter has been sent to the Chief Secretary.
“We are calling on him to withdraw this motion forthwith – not amended, not debated, but withdrawn – and consult with the people of Tobago first. It is then, and only then, should Tobago return to an inclusive, public, and people-first process.”
The Minority has also written to political entities in Tobago and special-interest groups, calling for them to join their voices in urging the withdrawal of the motion. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine was contacted, but all calls went unanswered. However, Deputy Chief Secretary Dr. Faith Brebnor indicated that Thursday’s debate will take place as planned.