13 January

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Tobago Business Chamber: Young an excellent choice

TOBAGO Business Chamber chairman Martin George has congratulated Port of Spain North/St Ann's West MP Stuart Young on his selection by the People's National Movement (PNM) to become the country's next prime minister when Dr Keith Rowley relinquishes office in the coming months. Rowley announced his intention to retire from representative politics and step down as prime minister during a media conference in Tobago on January 3. On January 6, Rowley announced Young would take his place as head of government before the end of the current term. That position was affirmed by PNM general secretary Foster Cummings during a media conference after a meeting of...

13 January

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Attorneys: State of emergency is a joke

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THE state of emergency (SoE) is a 'joke', according to several attorneys who say criminals continue to be emboldened. The Express spoke to several attorneys yesterday following the murders of attorney Kumari Baksh, 60, and her husband, 67-year-old Nasheed Baksh, a law clerk. Police believe the husband and wife were killed during a home invasion off Caratal Road, Cumuto, on Thursday night. Senior Counsel Larry Lalla renewed his call for the dismissal of Police Commissioner Erla Harewood- Christopher. He said that, under the SoE, the average citizen driving on streets across the country would realise there is no increased police or army...

13 January

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Tobago stakeholders back Young, urge him to develop non-energy sectors

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TOBAGO stakeholders have welcomed the PNM government's selection of Energy Minister Stuart Young as Trinidad and Tobago’s next Prime Minister. During a news conference on January 6 at the close of the government’s parliamentary retreat at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands, Tobago, the Prime Minister announced that Young would replace him when he steps down. Dr Rowley said the selection of a successor was one of the main items on the agenda at the two-day retreat, which came on the heels of his announcement on January 3 that he intends to step down as the head of government before the end of...

05 January

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Mixed reactions from business groups to PM’s announcement

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A business chamber has expressed concern that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced that he is stepping down without a successor in place and with general elections around the corner. The Confederation of Regional Business Chambers (CRBC) believes this could put doubt in the minds of investors. CRBC coordinator Jai Leladharsingh said: “This is creating a lot of uncertainty among the business community and has put a halt to domestic investment and over the last few years we have not seen any foreign investment at all. Again, a worrisome situation.” Weighing in on the prime minister’s legacy Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin...

05 January

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Tobago Chamber head on Rowley’s announcement: ‘Think about your legacy’

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PRESIDENT of the Tobago Chamber of Commerce Martin George called on the Prime Minister to think about the legacy he will leave as he begins his transition out of politics. He made the statement as a reaction to Dr Rowley’s announcement on January 3 that he will be bowing out of politics before the end of this parliamentary term. Noting his long and distinguished career in politics, George said now is a good time to take a look at the country Rowley is politically leaving behind. “At this point what he has to consider is what is his legacy to Trinidad and Tobago, given the...

17 December

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Need proper definition of ‘autonomy’ for Tobago, says Martin George

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The Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber says there isn't enough clarity on what is meant by autonomy for Tobago. According to Martin George, that lack of clarity is the real reason the Tobago Autonomy Bill wasn't passed, as there were no real specifics outlining what ‘autonomy’ would really mean and look like for the island. He believes the discourse surrounding autonomy has been over simplified, and when the reality of autonomy is much more complex. He says the effects of autonomy are far reaching and will involve significant changes to the Constitution. “Where do we start? Do we start looking at a...

14 December

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Ex-TSTT worker to repay union $.3M

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A former Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) employee has been ordered to repay a little over $326,353.22 to the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU). CWU reportedly paid Anika Gaspard’s $15,000 salary for almost two years while it was pursuing a case on her behalf against TSTT in the Industrial Court. The union claimed the payments were made to alleviate her hardship and based on the agreement that it was a loan that had to be repaid if she was eventually successful in the case and awarded compensation. The union, through its lawyer Martin George, sued Gaspard, of Mootoo Lands, Arima, after she...

12 December

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Licks for Farley over house slave comment

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Emancipation Support Committee chairman Zakiya Uzoma-Wadada says she left shocked after Chief Secretary Farley Augustine labelled Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley a “house slave” after the defeat of the Tobago autonomy bills on Monday. Uzoma-Wadada said she’s disappointed to again have to call on the country’s leaders to act responsibly. She said Augustine must be conscious of the sensitivity of African culture and history, what is deemed acceptable, and the potential impact on society. After the bills’ failure on Monday, Augustine took to Facebook, saying, “Nothing is worse than when your relative, who sits in the seat of power, is nothing but...

12 December

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[UPDATED] PDP, IDA: Chief Secretary ‘lacks diplomacy’

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PROGRESSIVE Democratic Patriots (PDP) political leader Watson Duke has blamed Chief Secretary Farley Augustine for the failure of the main Tobago autonomy bill in the Parliament. During debate on the pieces of legislation on December 9, the House of Representatives passed the Tobago Island Government Bill 2021 by a vote of 20-10, but failed to pass the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill 2020. The Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill 2020 did not get the special three-fourths majority for passage as 21 government members voted for the bill and 16 opposition members voted against. The bill required at least 31 of the 41...

12 December

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Mixed reactions from Tobago stakeholders

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The rejection of the Tobago autonomy bills in Parliament has left the island’s politicians and stakeholders pointing fingers, with some saying the bills’ return to the House was nothing but a show. While some argued yesterday that political games and division caused their failure, others believe the bills wouldn’t have brought any real change. Tobago House of Assembly Minority Leader Kelvon Morris called the outcome a “deeply disappointing moment for Tobago,” placing blame squarely on the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) for prioritising “political self-interest” over the island’s push for greater self-governance. He also bashed Chief Secretary Farley Augustine for what he described...