Tuesday, April 17, 2012

London fails to show at transport consultation; THA says he was not invited

Transport Minister Devant Maharaj on Monday criticised the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London, for failing to attend a transportation stakeholders' meeting.

It's the third time that such a meeting has been held with the THA chief not attending. Maharaj called that an insult.

"I am deeply disappointed that the THA led by Orville London continues to insult the people of Tobago by their failure to show up at various stakeholder meetings by the Ministry of Transport where we discuss the issues that affect Tobago with particular regard to the transportation sector: air, sea and land," the minister said.

However the THA explained that London was not invited to Monday's meeting. Deputy Chief Secretary Hilton Sandy told local media no one at the THA received an invitation to attend the consultation.

In any case, he suggested that the THA should be involved in organising any such event.

"If a Conference is to be organised in Tobago, the Minister should make contact with the Secretary and let us plan the stakeholders meeting together. Tobago cannot tow the line of the Minister or any Government of Trinidad and Tobago."

Maharaj claimed that London has been boycotting the consultations because of THA Minority Leader Ashworth Jack is one of the people invited to the talks.

The transport ministry organised the consultation to examine how the various agencies can improve services to Tobago.

A primary issue at the discussions was adding more capacity on the air bridge for travelers on a regular basis. 

Other issues included more capacity for cargo and heavy freight on the sea bridge to support the business sector and advanced publication of the sailing schedule to assist in expanding the overall domestic tourism sector.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai