TOBAGO TALKS BACK FORUM pt1 https://www.facebook.com/TobagoCivilNet/videos/153620276437258/?t=7 TOBAGO TALK BACK FORUM PT 2 https://www.facebook.com/TobagoCivilNet/videos/958402151363527/ ...
Continue readingHeated debate continued yesterday on how the current Tobago House of Assembly (THA) impasse could be resolved. Panellists on Tobago’s indigenous television station, Channel 5, yesterday held strong opposing views on the decision of the current THA Executive to continue to function. Economist Dr Vanus James argued that based on his interpretation of the THA Act, Ancil Dennis should have stepped down from the position of Chief Secretary, saying his term ended when the house was dissolved in November 2020. Dr James said he believed the way forward would be Representative Democracy in the THA so that the people of Tobago could determine...
Continue readingBoth a constitutional lawyer and a political analyst agree that the only legal and workable solution to the current deadlock in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is returning to the polls. Constitutional law attorney, Martin George, says with both the People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) getting six seats, it means there is no majority in the Assembly and as such, it will be difficult to elect a Presiding Officer or Chief Secretary if the members vote along party lines. Speaking on CNC3's The Morning Brew, Mr George said power-sharing may not be a practical solution and...
Continue readingConstitutional attorney Martin George says the only way to ensure a deadlock of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) does not happen again is for parliamentarians to change the THA Act to include a 13th constituency. The People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) both won six seats in the THA election on Monday, leaving the Assembly deadlocked. Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew to host Natalee Legore, George, who is also the head of the Tobago Business Chamber, said the only possible solution to the current impasse is to head back to the polls. He said the assemblymen can be...
Continue readingTobago stakeholders have mixed views about the decision of Royal Caribbean International cruise lines to include Trinidad and Tobago as one of its destinations in the 2021/2022 season. While some welcomed the move, others were sceptical given the country’s challenges to contain the spread of covid19. Tobago Chamber president Martin George said although the organisation is always eager and willing to welcome cruise ships, “we have to question and wonder at this point in time, if all the necessary safety protocols are in place to really allow the docking of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in TT.” He added: “If it is that...
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Continue readingWith Budget Day set for October 5, the Tobago Business Chamber is proposing several ways in which the Government can stimulate Tobago’s economy. One such proposal is to make Tobago a VAT-free zone. In a WhatsApp voice note on the Chamber’s budget proposal, chairman Martin George said changing the island’s VAT-status is not a new proposal as the Chamber “floated” the idea before. “We are requesting that Tobago be made a totally VAT-free zone. It is not impossible. You have places like Panama, where they have within the country a declared duty-free zone. We think that will also help to stimulate greater investment...
Continue readingTobago business chamber chairman Martin George wants the Government to ease its covid19 restrictions for beaches, bars and food establishments in Monday’s budget presentation as a means of generating some much needed economic activity on the island. In an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus, beaches remain closed to the public while bars and restaurants are offering pick-up services only. The Prime Minister has said the Government will review these restrictions on October 11 if the rate of new covid19 infections decreases significantly. But in a Whatsapp voice note on Friday, George said with the borders still closed to the international...
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Continue readingHead of the Tobago Business Chamber, Martin George, says some of the hotels on the island have started getting the financial relief stimulus packages being offered the state to cushion the effects of COVID-19. Speaking on Power 102’s Power Breakfast Show, he said that persons have applied for those relief packages and that there have been challenges with the administration of it as they took quite some time to get themselves initially organised. But he said he is pleased with the interaction the Tobago Tourism Agency is having with the various stakeholders on the sister isle. “In fairness to them they have been trying...
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