Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London says it is the responsibility of the assembly to determine whether there should be a second Carnival in Tobago next year.
Addressing the assembly's post-Executive Council media briefing, London said the THA was very conscious of ensuring that Tobago's branding was correct, adding that "the same concerns we had about Carnival in 2011 will exist in 2012."
London said the only difference was the country would be celebrating its 50th anniversary of Independence and therefore there were issues about that which would be taken into consideration.
However, the Chief Secretary stressed: "I will not under any circumstances say or do anything that signals that the minister has the responsibility or the right to determine whether there should be a carnival in Tobago or not. As far as I am concerned that remains within the ambit of the THA."
Three weeks ago Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston Peters, told reporters in Port-of-Spain that because of "political logistics" there would be no October Carnival in Tobago this year.
But London said Peters gave the country old information.
London recalled that about a month ago he had said the THA had taken a decision that even after listening to the arguments and the position forwarded by the minister and his team the assembly had decided that there should not be an October carnival in Tobago in 2011.