Mixed views from Tobago business groups to THA reshuffle
The Tobago Chamber of Commerce believes the changes in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Executive Council might help the economy get better, which would be good for businesses in Tobago. However, the island’s other business chamber said the reshuffle was a waste.
On Monday seven THA members were reassigned with one secretary demoted and replaced by an assistant secretary. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine also announced that he will step down as Finance Secretary.
Community Development and Sport Secretary Terance Baynes was moved to the Infrastructure Division as an assistant secretary and appointed deputy presiding officer. He will receive his instrument of appointment today.
Joel Sampson was promoted to secretary to replace Baynes.
Chairman of the Tobago Division of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC) Curtis Williams said he hopes Baynes encourages major construction projects to stimulate the business sector.
“Most of the people on the ground are waiting for deliverables that were mentioned. That is the focus now. As they are coming to the end of their term most people are going to judge the performance of this assembly based on their deliverables,” he said.
“We don’t know what’s in the mind of the Chief Secretary. We can only look at what’s on the outside. We want to assess each division to ensure they have delivered on promises and that’s what the Tobago public and the business community will look at.”
Williams said the performance of divisions will be evaluated based on what was promised and what was actually delivered rather than Augustine’s intentions.
“It’s an elevation for Sampson, I won’t call it a promotion. He was an assistant secretary and now he’s leading Community Development. Probably based on his track record the Chief Secretary in his glory decided to move him into that position to make a better impact in that division.
“We are taking a couple of months before we assess him. I know next year everyone will be going into election mode so his period of time for us to get feedback from him will take a while but we look forward to seeing what he will do.”
Williams noted the importance of this reorganization for the business community, especially with general elections and THA elections approaching.
“The reshuffle must produce development because we need development on the island. We need a game changer. We want to make sure that when development comes the man on the ground, the fisherman, vendors, see the economic development. We want meaningful and infrastructural development to benefit the Tobago space. That is what we want from this strategic reshuffle,” he said.
“Right now, we in the business community are going through a bit of challenges. There are rough spots here and there and we need to get these rough stops smoothed out coming to the end of the life of this Assembly.”
Williams said the chamber will rate the THA’s performance when the changes to the executive are settled.
Martin George, chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber, said the reshuffle was “much ado about nothing.”
He said the reshuffle, which had been rumoured for nearly two years, turned out to be largely substance-less.
“It is something of little or no moment whatsoever and should not occupy too much time in terms of the Tobago space and this Tobago place. What we need to focus on are the things that will boost the economy of Tobago, things that would reduce crime.”
George said the reshuffle should have been more meaningful with changes made to key positions.
BY: ELIZABETH GONZALES
Mixed views from Tobago business groups to THA reshuffle