 |
| THA Chief Secretary Orville London |
Orville London made the point in a media briefing. He told reporters the government must respect the views of Tobagonians and warned that the THA is the body that makes decisions on their behalf.
He said Multiculturalism Winston Peters has written the Assembly asking for a meeting to discuss the issue of another Carnival.
London said while he is willing to meet with Peters, he is not changing his opposition to staging Carnival on the island.
He said Multiculturalism Winston Peters has written the Assembly asking for a meeting to discuss the issue of another Carnival.
London said while he is willing to meet with Peters, he is not changing his opposition to staging Carnival on the island.
Peters floated the idea last night and is still interested in making it a reality. His view is that it would bring tourists to Tobago during the slow season later in the year.
However London does not want it. And he said the central government must respect the THA's right to make its own decisions.
London said, "If, as the Minister says, I am the big bad one and therefore regardless what these little people in Tobago say, I will do what I think is right for them, even though they don't think it's right for themselves, that will signal that this Central Government has no respect for the limited autonomy that we have and therefore we will be very, very suspicious of any autonomy that they intend to collaborate in ensuring that Tobago gets."
London said the people of Tobago must be careful not to allow the THA to be undermined.
"If I make a decision and we make a decision, and we do not agree, punish us. There are ways you can punish us," he said.
However London does not want it. And he said the central government must respect the THA's right to make its own decisions.
London said, "If, as the Minister says, I am the big bad one and therefore regardless what these little people in Tobago say, I will do what I think is right for them, even though they don't think it's right for themselves, that will signal that this Central Government has no respect for the limited autonomy that we have and therefore we will be very, very suspicious of any autonomy that they intend to collaborate in ensuring that Tobago gets."
London said the people of Tobago must be careful not to allow the THA to be undermined.
"If I make a decision and we make a decision, and we do not agree, punish us. There are ways you can punish us," he said.
"But do not take away from us the right to make a decision and stand by it because that is what the autonomy and the authority of the Tobago House of Assembly is about, and that is the important issue."
No comments:
Post a Comment