Tobago Correspondent
Despite the ongoing discussions surrounding constitutional reform, Tobagonians said they are focused on their demand for autonomy and view constitutional consultations as “a waste of time.”
At the first of two consultations held by the National Advisory Committee on Constitutional Reform at the Bell Garden Multipurpose Facility, on Thursday night, former assemblyman Max James said for Tobago and its people this exercise is a mockery.
“How we should pitch our contributions having regard to the fact that we have our ideas already submitted to the Parliament and with amendments. In a sense for me, these talks are a complete waste of time,” he said.
With this in mind, he urged the committee to first consider altering the law for this first move.
“The country needs to have its name changed. No longer should we be called Trinidad and Tobago because it conjures up significant superiority of one over the other,” he suggested.
Without giving an example, he called for an amalgamated name that would redefine the union between both islands.
On the issue of autonomy, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, during former chief secretary Hochoy Charles’ funeral in January, said the bills (Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill), which are still before a parliamentary Joint Select Committee, will again go before Parliament this year.
When they do, Rowley said Tobago will see who has its best interest at heart.
But at Thursday’s consultation, James felt that the issue of autonomy should have been settled before Tobago was approached on constitutional reform matters.
Others at the consultation called for fair treatment and the right to establish localised community authorities. They also asked to be involved in decision-making processes that will impact their respective regions, not just at the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) level, but also at the national level.
Economist, Dr Vanus James said after his own, recently concluded consultation on constitutional reform with five communities, he’s asking for laws that empower Tobago communities.
“They want a part of the bill of rights as a supplemental bill of rights to reflect the rights of the community to pursue their self-determination agenda looking after themselves rather than depending on anybody else for development,” he said.
He added Tobagonians complain bitterly about how underdeveloped their communities remain.
“They want to give room for them to pursue creative community entrepreneurship. They said this is what is missing from national development. They want a fair share of the budget to get this done.”
And while others called for judicial review, one man simply wants fairness for Tobago in the laws.
Reading from the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic regulation, Marlon Radgman of Goodwood noted: “The maximum width of a goods vehicle in Trinidad and Tobago; eight feet in Trinidad, seven and a half feet in Tobago,” sarcastically adding, “I don’t know how many vehicles lose half a foot when coming off the boat.”
Radgman further raised concerns over the island prison system. “Why is there no prison for women in Tobago? Why are we so disadvantaged and continue to be disadvantaged? Is constitutional reform going to address this?”
Just under 50 people were at the consultation. The poor turnout caused one resident to question if Tobago East residents genuinely understood the significance of constitutional reform.
She suggested a public awareness campaign explaining to the man on the street what it is and why it is important for citizens to have an input.
The second instalment is carded for Monday at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.