Roxborough, Tobago came alive with Republic Day celebrations on Wednesday.
The celebrations, held under the Office of the Prime Minister – Central Administrative Services Tobago (OPM-CAST) and the Tobago House of Assembly, began with 3K and 5K runs, a cycling competition, and the annual route march involving various detachments of the military.
Following this, the 7th Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception was held at the Delaford Community Centre. Five awardees were honoured for their accomplishments.
Permanent Secretary, OPM-CAST, Earlan Cast, said: “I invite you to not only celebrate our honourees but to be inspired by their example. Let us each play our part in strengthening the unity and pride of this great nation. Today’s activity provides us with the treasured opportunity to fellowship, connect, and continue this celebration of Republican status together.”
THA Chief Secretary Augustine noted that, for Tobago, attaining Republican status was significant. He said though there is much work to be done in addressing the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago, there is hope.
“We still have to settle the autonomy question and correct a historical injustice and even as we stand in this hall today preparing later this evening for the nation to bestow on former and first Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles the highest award of the country, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, let this perhaps be a signal that soon and very soon Tobago will accord on to itself the kind of autonomy that our fore parents dreamt of.”
Mr. Augustine firmly noted that, when the autonomy matter is finally addressed, the final legacy of colonialism will be removed.
“We look forward to that happening within this 49th year of us being a Republic. Let this be taken as a challenge to the Central Government that includes both the Government and the Opposition that the people of Tobago expect that we will not celebrate our 50th anniversary as a Republic save and except we are able to say to the country we have solved the issues that have befallen the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago.”
Tobago’s Republic Day celebrations also saw an annual boat regatta and a cultural show and fireworks display at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex in Roxborough to end the festivities.