Summary
- Autonomy Push: The Prime Minister and THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine held high-level talks on Friday, with Professor Hamid Ghany tapped to provide expert guidance on Tobago’s path to self-governance.
- Legislative Reforms: The leaders discussed short-term legislative actions to fix anomalies in the THA Act, including the establishment of a Tobago local police service and reforms to the alien landholding licensing regime.
- Infrastructure & Economy: Key agreements were made to keep the Studley Park quarry export licence active and to pursue a new desalination plant in Charlotteville to address the island’s water woes.
By Prior Beharry
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine on Friday focused on Tobago’s push for greater autonomy, urgent water security issues, and immediate legislative reforms.
According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the meeting was described as a “productive and forward-looking dialogue” aimed at addressing long-standing matters affecting the people of Tobago.
A major focal point of the discussions was Tobago’s pursuit of self-governance. The OPM announced that constitutional expert Professor Hamid Ghany has been brought on board to provide guidance and expertise as both parties work to chart a progressive path forward. During the talks, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to supporting Tobago in achieving greater autonomy while maintaining national unity.
To address immediate legal and administrative hurdles, the leaders examined short-term legislative measures to resolve anomalies in the interpretation and execution of the THA Act 40 of 1996.
These proposed measures include:
- Establishment of a Tobago local police service
- Reforms to the alien landholding licensing regime for Tobago
- Marine parks and environmental jurisdiction
- Omnibus statutory harmonisation regarding THA Executive Authority
- Interim administrative alignments for immediate executive action
Beyond legislative reform, the urgent need to improve Tobago’s water security was a top priority. Both leaders reviewed plans to establish a desalination plant in Charlotteville, alongside other critical infrastructure projects designed to ensure a reliable water supply for the island.
The operations of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) in Tobago were also heavily scrutinized. The Prime Minister stressed the need for proper governance and merit-based appointments to ensure the utility effectively serves the public. To expedite solutions to these water challenges, the Minister of Public Utilities is scheduled to visit the island in the near future.
Environmental management and flood mitigation were also on the agenda, with agreements made to ramp up desilting exercises across Tobago’s waterways.
The leaders also discussed the Studley Park quarry. Both parties agreed that the quarry’s export licence will remain in force, ensuring that Tobago’s natural resources are managed efficiently and continue to generate tangible economic benefits for the island.
