05 April

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Tobago Business Chamber wants seaplane airbridge too

in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is urging the government to consider implementing a seaplane service between Scarborough and Port of Spain, specifically for business travellers. On Wednesday, the chamber welcomed Caribbean Airlines’ (CALs) decision to fly 24 daily services from April 2 to meet the inter-island demand. The chamber, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association and other stakeholders had been clamouring for increased flights to the island, particularly in light of the government’s decision last Saturday to do away with safe zones and covid19 restrictions in most sectors. They said Tobago’s economy was decimated by covid19 over the past two years and needs to...

01 April

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[UPDATED] CAL adds additional domestic flights, stakeholders want more

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) will increase the number of flights on the domestic airbridge from April 2. In a press release on Wednesday, CAL said it will operate 24 daily services to meet the inter-island travel demand. The Prime Minister recently announced that the majority of covid19 restrictions, including safe zones, will be dropped from April 4. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and a number of business stakeholders in Tobago had been calling for CAL to beef up the number of domestic flights for the Easter period. All flights to Tobago for the next two weeks had already been sold out. On Monday, Augustine said Tobago...

31 March

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CAL awaits permission to increase Tobago flights

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) says it is waiting on the Ministry of Finance to give the green light before any adjustments are made to the existing flight schedule on the Trinidad and Tobago airbridge. When contacted by Newsday on Tuesday, CAL's head of corporate communications Dionne Ligoure said, “We will be guided by the instructions and direction of the relevant authorities with respect to adjusting the operations on the airbridge. THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and several business stakeholders have called for more flights on the airbridge. Augustine said on Monday, "In Tobago's case, we need a bumper season. Beyond the reopening of the...

31 March

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Caribbean Airlines to increase frequency between Trinidad & Tobago

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Caribbean Airlines will operate 24 daily flights between Trinidad and Tobago come April 2. The airline says this is to meet the demand for Easter and beyond. The announcement comes mere days after Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning told Guardian Media that Cabinet would be meeting to discuss the possibility of increasing capacity on the airbridge. He made the comment in response to calls from Tobago Business Chamber president Martin George for Government to consider an increase in flights on the domestic airbridge. Responding to the change, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine expressed his pleasure on...

29 March

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Tobago stakeholders tell PM: Full reopening means max flights

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

TOBAGO's business stakeholders are buoyed by the Prime Minister's announcement on Tuesday that he is considering a full reopening of the country. Dr Rowley made the announcement at the Conversations with the Prime Minister series. He noted that after analysing the covid19 data two weeks after the Taste of Carnival festivities ended, he felt sufficiently satisfied that a reopening of all sectors should be discussed. “I am now being minded to tell the country I see no reason now not to open the country up completely," Rowley said. On Wednesday the Ministry of Health reported 275 new covid19 cases and three deaths. There are...

29 March

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Cabinet to address airbridge issue soon, CAL waits on word

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

The Cabinet is will discuss the possibility of an increase in Caribbean Airlines flights (CAL) between Trinidad and Tobago soon, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning said yesterday. Speaking in a telephone interview, Manning said a decision should be made before Easter. He made the comment in response to calls from Tobago Business Chamber president Martin George for Government to consider an increase in flights on the domestic airbridge. “It is still not up to full capacity… this is now the biggest bugbear in terms of the accessibility to Tobago for Trinidadians and their families who wish to come to Tobago,”...

18 March

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Tobago Chamber wants Clarity on Reshuffle

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

CHAIRMAN of the Tobago Business Chamber attorney Martin George is calling for clarity in the Government’s decision to reshuffle the cabinet. He said the Tobago Chamber supported the Government in its decision in anything for greater business activity and business. But asked, “How will this cabinet reshuffle be beneficial to the nation and the business community?” George said, “We don’t want simply it to be a rotation, such as a merry go round. “We would like to see the Government explain the rationale, the basis for these changes and to have a frank discussion with the population as to how this will benefit...

17 March

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Chief Secretary: ‘Not the time to remove fuel subsidy’

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in Newspaper Articles, Tobago Business Chamber

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has strongly urged the government to consider all aspects –particularly the fragile state of Tobago’s economy – before removing the fuel subsidy. Although the economic effects from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the covid19 pandemic cannot be ignored, Augustine said now is not the time to remove subsidies on fuel. He was speaking at a post-Executive Council media briefing on Wednesday. At another instalment of Conversations with the Prime Minister on March 8, the Prime Minister said the country cannot be insulated from the hike in fuel prices. But Augustine said, "There are several things that we also have...

13 March

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Judge calls for accountability from judicial officers

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in Newspaper Articles

Outspoken High Court Judge Frank Seepersad has welcomed calls for more transparency and accountability in the administration of justice. Seepersad made the comments yesterday, after he was forced to postpone the trial of a case brought by a woman, who claims she was assaulted and falsely imprisoned by Defence Force personnel during the 2011 limited state of emergency, because of delays by attorneys in filing legal submissions. Justice Seepersad said: “Judicial officers must understand that we do not live in ivory towers and our judicial independence does not insulate us from accountability in relation to our performance. Our oath of office imposes...

09 March

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Lawyer: Vehicle mask exemption must be clarified

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in Newspaper Articles

Throughout the pandemic, there were many incidents stemming from a difference in the interpretation of the Public Health Regulations. From private property debates to people charged with breaching the curfew while still in the confines of their premises. However, the latest amendment to exempt people from wearing masks in a vehicle occupied by family members can potentially create a similar discrepancy. Under regulations 5 (b) & (c), the exemption is given once it is occupied “members of the same family.” However, the family structure is very complex depending on a person’s circumstances. For instance, there are people who may have gotten married but did...