Legislation for self-government for Tobago to be presented later this month
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says the legislation to accord self-government to Tobago is to be presented to parliament later this month.
Rowley said that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) bill to amend the constitution is expected to be presented in the parliament on December 16 and is expected to provide more autonomy for Tobago.
The legislation was prepared after discussions were held by a team led by Chief Secretary Orville London and included former chief secretary Hochoy Charles.
One of the controversial provisions in the bill is the creation of a People’s House in the THA. The legislation also provides for the creation of the new House allowing for the Chamber to be made up of the elected assemblymen and the People’s House, which will be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.
Former head of the public service, Reginald Dumas, said he was very concerned about that matter as the People’s House is to be appointed by the ruling party in the THA.
Rowley said the date for the THA election is to be announced by President Anthony Carmona and that will be done with the required consultations with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. The assembly was dissolved in October.
Rowley said the polls must be held by the first week of February next year. In the 2013 THA elections, the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) won all 12 seats.
Prior to the polls, the PNM condemned what it termed “the cynical and vulgar manner” in which the then coalition People’s Partnership government of then prime minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar is dealing with the issue of self-government for the sister isle.
Persad Bissessar said then that debate on the new legislation would have started 10 days after it was introduced to the parliament.
She said the legislation, which would have required the support of the PNM in the Trinidad and Tobago parliament, would amend the constitution to enhance the legislative and executive powers of the THA with a view to promoting internal self-government for the sister isle.
