Dennis: Huge step back if autonomy bills abandoned
Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis - Office of Chief Seceratary
Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis has urged Tobagonians to resist calls for a restart of the process to get greater autonomy for the island.
At the post executive council news conference on Wednesday, Dennis gave his views about the Joint Select Committee’s two-day public consultation on the Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill, held at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex, Scarborough, on April 30 and May 1.
The JSC, headed by Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, met with representatives of the island’s major political parties and other stakeholders.
Duke: PM pushing dependence on government
Watson Duke
POLITICAL leader of Tobago s Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) Watson Duke says the Prime Minister is attempting to promote a dependence mode among citizens by further tightening commercial and public health restrictions.
Duke spoke briefly with Newsday after Dr Rowley announced a total discontinuation of food services and non-essential retail business during a media conference on Monday.
In his address, Rowley said normal social services will continue, while the Finance Ministry was allocating additional public funds to people affected by loss of income, particularly in light of the newest public health measures.
Rowley also stressed that all decisions were being made through thorough consultation with the Health Ministry s top experts.
KINNESHA GEORGE-HARRY and COREY CONNELLY
Economist Dr Vanus James has described the Draft Constitution Amendment Bill (Tobago Self Government Bill) as a constitutional illusion.
James, a Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) supporter, said the draft bill, currently made public by Parliament s Joint Select Committee for consideration, does not allow Tobagonians the equality they desire.
In a recent interview, James told Newsday the promises in the explanatory note, that Tobagonians will be able to make their own choices and manage their own affairs, are blocked by many specific provisions of the bill.
He said, “Indeed, the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill is a kind of constitutional illusion designed to fool the unwary Tobagonian into seeing two things that are not really there – equality of status and self-determination.”
Autonomy bill proposes Premier to rule Tobago
FILE PHOTO: Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis could be the last to hold the title. -
The days of Tobago s business being managed by a Chief Secretary could be soon over. The island could be ruled by its first Premier, if the proposed Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill 2021 are passed in the Parliament.
Tobago West MP and Joint Select Committee (JSC) member Shamfa Cudjoe has said the decision to change the title of Chief Secretary to Premier in the proposed Tobago Island Government has to do with the level of authority that will be ascribed to the office holder.
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