Farley Augustine took the oath as Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary yesterday, bringing with him an air of optimism and hope to the people of Tobago; so much so that he exited the chamber in Scarborough to throngs of supporters chanting “Far-lay, Far-lay.”
The new Chief Secretary, at only 36, brings not just youth to the office but also a sense of calm, purpose and a quiet confidence that comes from his own self prophecy of 2005. Back then, having just returned from representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Australia, he received two awards—Youth Leader of the Year and Youth Service. At a function attended by then-Chief Secretary Orville London, Augustine told London, “Mr Chief Sec, you don’t need to be afraid now, but in a few more years be afraid because I’m coming for your job.”
Although he came from humble beginnings, Augustine never allowed it to deter him from setting his goals high and aiming to achieve them. He boasted youth leadership had taught him that “one key aspect of leadership is being willing to take risk or being committed to the risk that you take.”
But this young man will now have to put all he has learnt over years into practice and not be deterred by anyone or anything if he is to meet his commitment to the people of Tobago, made on Monday night after the Progressive Democratic Patriots’ sweeping victory was secured, that he will put people before party. That promise cannot be empty rhetoric.
Farley’s first challenge comes from within his own party in the form of leader Watson Duke, who intends to remain as Public Services Association president although he now sits on the THA executive.
Yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi wrote to Augustine advising him that a proper understanding of the THA Act Ch. 25:03, in combination with other long-standing laws and constitutional conventions, the assumption of executive office precludes the continuation of employment or occupation elsewhere. According to the AG, Duke has to make a choice, as he cannot lawfully do both.
The AG has left it to Augustine to advise on the decision urgently but has noted he (AG) may have to act as in the current dispensation, this will have serious constitutional implications for the council.
Duke and Augustine have held to the position that Duke can remain as PSA president, since he is not accepting remuneration from the organisation.
It will, however, be a travesty of justice if this matter is allowed to cloud the newly-installed Chief Secretary and THA Executive. Mr Duke cannot want to have his cake and eat it too. He has to make the right choice. However, Duke put Augustine to lead the charge in Tobago and now that he has achieved this, Duke must not be the albatross around Augustine’s neck. Duke must therefore decide on whether he will allow the new Assembly to go forward untainted or do the opposite of what Augustine promised supporters in his victory and show he (Duke) is more important than the people who elected him.