As the country celebrates 60 years of independence, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is calling for a resolution on Tobago's self-governance.
In an interview with Newsday, Augustine said the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is the relationship between the two islands in terms of governance and greater autonomy.
'This notion of internal self-governance brought by (late prime minister ANR) Robinson,,,pre-dated Robinson, with APT James, with James Biggart - we need for that to be settled once and for all.'
He said at 60, the country should not be having this debate still.
'There are many countries in the world, in the Commonwealth especially, that have arrangements whereby several parts make up a whole. So we don't need to reinvent the wheel. What we need to do is to get moving and mature in terms of the politics that is required.'
The Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill were debated in the House of Representatives on June 28 and 29, 2021. The debate reached the committee stage. The motion called for the House to adopt the JSC's report on the bills, which requires a three-fifths majority for passage.
However, the Opposition walked out of Parliament after the Speaker granted the Prime Minister an extension of speaking time during the debate. The Opposition and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) have claimed the autonomy bill does not represent the wishes of Tobagonians.
PDP leader Watson Duke has described the bill as "a vacant piece of paper" which does not properly define Tobago nor allow it to determine its political and economic structure.
The Draft Tobago Island Administration Bill proposes a minimum of 6.8 per cent of the national budget with no set maximum.
Tobago is also granted certain law-making powers previously not in its remit.
Augustine said apart from the autonomy issue, there are many successes that should celebrated.
'After 60 years of independence, we have a lot that we can celebrate.
"Tobago has contributed a lot to the nation's development. We have contributed quite a number of stellar public servants even at the very start of our country as an independent nation. We provided to the nation, people such as Victor E Bruce - the first local governor of the Central Bank. We have produced heads of the public service, we have produced prime ministers, presidents - so we have our fair share of contribution to the national space.'
He said Tobago has also offered great wealth in terms of culture.
'We have been right there, neck and neck with Trinidad in terms of contributions through sport - through folks like Dwight Yorke and Claude Noel and several of our athletes. The point is, we have been there, we contributed a lot, we have seen successes but at 60 years, if we're doing introspection and we are honest, there are still works that need to be done.'
THA calendar of events to celebrate independence:
August 27 - Art exhi
