Newly-installed Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles plans to tackle the issue of crime in Tobago as his first priority.
He said although security was primarily the responsibility of the Central Government, how it affects tourism would be looked at in a serious way.
"We will continue to collaborate with the Central Government. In fact, as part of my programme I indicated that I would engage the security services here, to ensure that at the end of the day, whatever crime plan that they do have, that is tailored to the Tobago situation," he said moments after being sworn in at an inauguration ceremony at the Assembly Legislature here in Scarborough yesterday.
Other big ticket items his administration intends to deal with include agriculture, tourism, productivity, education system and customer service.
Minority leader Watson Duke echoed similar sentiments, saying the issue was very important to his party and would take top priority due the increase of gun-related crimes on the island
"Based on a scientific study done and data gathered, crime would be a top priority, because crime affects every single thing, it affects tourism, it affects agriculture, it affects education, it affects health," Duke said.
"For the year we already have two gun-related murders and about six shootings, so we would really want to see the plan of the PNM and see if we can bolster that plan with some ideas of our own, because as you know during the campaign we have been out there garnering views from all the persons and we developed a mandate. We have a perspective on crime, so if we are able to unify and harness the ideas together, we would be able to come up with a good crime plan."
He said once an effective crime plan is established, the Assembly would be able to arrest the ills on the island and give Tobagonians a level of comfort.0
Twelve THA assemblymen and four councilors were sworn in by President Anthony Carmona to much fanfare yesterday.
Former Secretary of Community Development and Culture Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus was sworn in as Presiding Officer, Assemblyman Ancil Dennis is the deputy Presiding Officer, while former finance secretary Joel Jack was sworn in as deputy Chief Secretary.
Three councillors were sworn in on the majority side in former PNM Senator Nadine Stewart-Phillips, healthcare expert Dr Agatha Carrington and PNM Tobago Council PRO Kwesi Des Vignes.
The minority meanwhile selected Dr Faith Yisrael, who lost the Goodwood/Belle Garden seat to Hayden Spencer by five votes, as councilor.
Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries of divisions are expected take the oath of office at President's House today at 11.30 am.
Sources revealed that some changes are afoot within the Assembly, as some divisions will be consolidated in keeping with the Fifth Schedule of the THA Act.
Some of those include:
Division of Finance & Enterprise Development will now be Division of Finance, Planning & Fiscal Policy
Division of Tourism& Transportation will now be Division of Tourism & Culture
Division of Education, Youth Affairs & Sport will now be Division of Education & Human Development
Division of Community Development & Culture will now be Division of Community Development, Youth Affairs & Sport.
Although the PNM hierarchy has been tight-lipped on the appointments to divisions, the T&T Guardian was reliably informed of the following postings:
Chief Secretary & Secretary for Education–Kelvin Charles
Marslyn Jack–Assistant Secretary for Education
Councillor Nadine Stewart Phillips–Secretary of Tourism & Culture
Councillor Agatha Carrington–Secretary of Health & Social Services.
Marisha Osmond–Assistant Secretary of Health & Social Services. With responsibility for Social Services
Councillor Kwesi DesVignes–Secretary of Infrastructure & Public Utilities
Shomari Hector–Assistant Secretary Infrastructure and Public Utilities
Joel Jack–Deputy Chief Secretary & Secretary of Finance Planning & Fiscal Policy
Hayden Spencer–Secretary of Settlements & Labour
Jomo Pitt– Secretary of Agriculture & Marine Affairs
Clarence Jacob–Assistant Secretary of Agriculture & Marine Affairs with responsibility for Fisheries
Sheldon Cunningham–Secretary of Community Development, Youth & Sport
Ancil Dennis– Assistant Secretary of Community Development, Youth & Sport
The team is expected to engage in a strategic planning and orientation session next Monday.