Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Monday a fully operational Office of the Prime Minister in Tobago will function in a way the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) cannot.
Persad-Bissessar made the comment to reporters after she delivered the feature address at the opening of the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) at the Hilton.
"There are Central Government services which are not under the ambit of the THA and we will be able to bring those services closer to the people of Tobago than they have been previously," Persad-Bissessar said.
"I am acting fully within the law. I am the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, I will discharge my duties as the Prime Minister not just of Trinidad but of Tobago as well. That is my constitutional duty," she added.
Speaking at a political rally in Tobago Saturday, Persad-Bissessar announced plans to for a fully operational office of the PM in the island.
The announcement came as the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) continues its resistance to a greater central government presence in Tobago.
Last week the government held a cabinet meeting there and opened an office for CEPEP. That angered THA Chief Secretary Orville London who claimed that the Central Government has shown disrespect to the THA and is encroaching on the THA's jurisdiction.
London has since said that he will take the People's Partnership Government to court for opening the office without consultation with the THA.
Keith Rowley, leader of then opposition and of the People's National Movement (PNM) fully supports London. He has said that the Kamla government is displaying arrogance in its dealings with Tobago.
But the Prime Minister has made it clear that whatever her government is doing in Tobago is in keeping with her pledge to ensure that there is equality for all citizens in both islands.
When she spoke at the rally in Scarborough over the weekend Persad-BIssessar addressed the PNM's fears.
"This is not about turf; this is not about fighting for turf. This is about service to the people of Tobago," she said, adding that London has become a "stumbling block" to Tobago's progress.
"I am not here to bend or bow to the Chief Secretary or his Deputy. I am not here to pander to their insecurities. I am here to serve you, the people of Tobago and Trinidad. And you know the saying 'who vex lorse', but have no fear keep the finger ready, keep it clean because I know you will ensure that London bridge is coming down," Persad-Bissessar said.
"This is a government of the people, by the people and for the people of Tobago and Trinidad. So let me tell you something I am going to fully operationalise the Office of the Prime Minister right here in Tobago and let them object to that. It will not be a dummy office," Persad-Bissessar said.
Persad-Bissessar said London's problem is that the PNM in losing its grip on Tobago. The two parliamentary seats in the island are now held by the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), one of the members of the People's Partnership coalition.
Persad-Bissessar made the comment to reporters after she delivered the feature address at the opening of the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) at the Hilton.
"There are Central Government services which are not under the ambit of the THA and we will be able to bring those services closer to the people of Tobago than they have been previously," Persad-Bissessar said.
"I am acting fully within the law. I am the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, I will discharge my duties as the Prime Minister not just of Trinidad but of Tobago as well. That is my constitutional duty," she added.
Speaking at a political rally in Tobago Saturday, Persad-Bissessar announced plans to for a fully operational office of the PM in the island.
The announcement came as the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) continues its resistance to a greater central government presence in Tobago.
Last week the government held a cabinet meeting there and opened an office for CEPEP. That angered THA Chief Secretary Orville London who claimed that the Central Government has shown disrespect to the THA and is encroaching on the THA's jurisdiction.
London has since said that he will take the People's Partnership Government to court for opening the office without consultation with the THA.
Keith Rowley, leader of then opposition and of the People's National Movement (PNM) fully supports London. He has said that the Kamla government is displaying arrogance in its dealings with Tobago.
But the Prime Minister has made it clear that whatever her government is doing in Tobago is in keeping with her pledge to ensure that there is equality for all citizens in both islands.
When she spoke at the rally in Scarborough over the weekend Persad-BIssessar addressed the PNM's fears.
"This is not about turf; this is not about fighting for turf. This is about service to the people of Tobago," she said, adding that London has become a "stumbling block" to Tobago's progress.
"I am not here to bend or bow to the Chief Secretary or his Deputy. I am not here to pander to their insecurities. I am here to serve you, the people of Tobago and Trinidad. And you know the saying 'who vex lorse', but have no fear keep the finger ready, keep it clean because I know you will ensure that London bridge is coming down," Persad-Bissessar said.
"This is a government of the people, by the people and for the people of Tobago and Trinidad. So let me tell you something I am going to fully operationalise the Office of the Prime Minister right here in Tobago and let them object to that. It will not be a dummy office," Persad-Bissessar said.
Persad-Bissessar said London's problem is that the PNM in losing its grip on Tobago. The two parliamentary seats in the island are now held by the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), one of the members of the People's Partnership coalition.
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