28 June

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Tobago Chamber: Trinidad and Tobago not in good place

Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George is calling for an economic roadmap towards a sustained fiscal recovery for the country. In a WhatsApp video on June 19, George said the reality was that Trinidad and Tobago was not in a good place. He made the statement following the mid-year review presented in Parliament on June 18 by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo. The government, George said, has recognised that and is now telling of the true state of the economy. "We need to see how we are able to navigate our way out of this crisis because that's what true leadership gives...

22 June

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Tobago stakeholders hope $134M will be spent wisely; advise THA: ‘Pay off your bills’

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Tobago stakeholders say the $134 million boost from the mid-year budget will not help unless the money is spent fairly and properly. They warn the island’s economy is struggling and without real action and transparency, Tobago will continue to fall behind. While they welcome the additional funding, most of the island’s stakeholders say more money is needed because the Tobago House of Assembly owes a lot of people. Tobago is expected to receive $134 million more for the THA, including $32 million in supplementary mid-year budget allocation and $102 million in loan funding from the Development Bank of Latin America and the...

16 June

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Business chambers: New top cop must restore public trust, confidence

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The Tobago Business Chamber says one of Allister Guevarro’s first tasks as the country’s new commissioner of police (CoP) must be to restore public trust and confidence in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. In congratulating the incoming CoP, the chamber’s chairman Martin George told Newsday that Guevarro also would need to ensure he “reduces the level of fear and insecurity, which is prevalent amongst the society in terms of crime and criminality, home invasions, robberies and random attacks upon persons.” Guevarro, 49, an acting senior superintendent, Special Branch, was approved as Trinidad and Tobago’s new CoP on June 13 during the...

12 June

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Former PolSC member: Selection process should be explained to public

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As questions continue to swirl regarding the selection of Snr Supt Allister Guevarro as the top-ranked candidate for the post of Commissioner of Police (CoP), a former Police Service Commission (PolSC) commissioner says there were several factors to consider. However, attorney Martin George said yesterday it is now critical for the PolSc to explain the process used in the selection. “It would be interesting to see the criteria and the indicia which the Police Service Commission relied upon, to arrive at these decisions. There are guidelines and there are procedures and protocols in place, whereby one is supposed to carry out this...

10 June

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George lobbies for return of Tobago Affairs Ministry

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The Tobago Business Chamber is calling on the Government to consider reinstating a Ministry of Tobago Affairs, following Tuesday’s meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. Chamber presidentMartin George says such a ministry would help create a dedicated and efficient channel for communication between the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and central Government. Between 2010 and 2015, the Ministry of Tobago Development was established under the People’s Partnership government led by Persad-Bissessar. This ministry aimed to enhance collaboration between the government and the THA, and focused on the island’s unique development needs. Vernella Alleyne-Toppin first served as its...

31 May

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Chamber urges revival of Tobago Affairs ministry

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The Tobago Business Chamber is urging the newly installed Government to consider reinstating a Ministry of Tobago Affairs, following yesterday’s meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. Head of the Chamber, Martin George, says a dedicated ministry would create an efficient channel for communication between the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the Central Government. Between 2010 and 2015, the Ministry of Tobago Development operated under the People’s Partnership Government led by PM Persad-Bissessar. It sought to strengthen collaboration between the Central Government and the THA, with a focus on Tobago’s unique development needs. Vernella Alleyne-Toppin served as...

31 May

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Tobago Business Chamber urges PM: Appoint a minister of Tobago affairs

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THE Tobago Business Chamber is calling on the government to consider appointing a minister of Tobago affairs, who would be the main liaison and conduit between the central government and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Chamber chairman Martin George made the call in a WhatsApp video on May 29, a day after the Office of the Prime Minister reported that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine had held discussions about autonomy for Tobago and other issues confronting the island. George applauded the discussions between the two leaders, saying the talks were in keeping with the dictates of Sections 31 and...

29 May

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IDA, Tobago Chamber urge caution in implementing stand-your-ground law

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Caution is being urged as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar plans to establish a special committee to evaluate and make proposals for a suite of measures to enable citizens to defend themselves and their property when faced with a threat by criminals. At a post-cabinet news conference on May 8, Persad-Bissessar said the special committee will make recommendations for an appropriate “stand-your-ground” law. A special committee, she said, will also be established to consider approaches and legislative sanctions to combat home invasions. Speaking with Newsday, political leader of the Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA) Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus said authorities should be careful when looking...

15 May

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Martin George: Erla may never recover from embarrassment

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ALTHOUGH she has been cleared of wrongdoing in relation to allegations of misconduct in public office, attorney Martin George says Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher may never recover from the embarrassment caused by her arrest and suspension from duties. Harewood-Christopher was suspended by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in early February, pending the outcome of an investigation into her alleged role in the importation of sniper rifles for use by the Strategic Services Agency. She resumed duties on May 12, a couple days before her term ends on May 14. To continue in the position, she has to be granted an extension, which...

06 May

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‘Tobago wants autonomy, end to land licence’

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Tobago plays an instrumental role in this country’s economic development, with tourism being a key factor. With the ushering in of the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led administration, stakeholders are eager to chart a way forward for the sector. Tobago Business Chamber chairman, attorney Martin George is calling upon the new government to initiate the “immediate and unconditional repeal” of the Foreign Investment Act which the chamber has been championing for many years. “That act is what has stifled and crippled all direct foreign investment into Tobago and as a result, persons have taken their investments elsewhere. All the other Caribbean islands have benefitted from...