Maharaj made the statement in the Senate in response to concerns expressed by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on the need for for additional capacity to meet needs of people travelling between the islands.
"I invited the THA to a stakeholders’ meeting on more than one occasion, but they declined to attend, due to the presence of other stakeholders who they find offensive, namely Ashworth Jack," the minister told the Senate.
He noted that at one stakeholders’ meeting a decision was taken to extend airport hours and add over 600 seats to the service for Easter. He said in 2011 the air service had approximately 5,000 seats for the Easter weekend.
"Now it’s close to about 5,500 seats, so we are moving to meet the increase in demand in Tobago," he added.
He also spoke about improvements on the sea connection, noting that the Port Authority is trying to improve ferry seating. He said the port may have to take one vessel off the service to install new seats imported from Australia.
He explained why the material had to be imported. "I asked why we could not use local material, but I am advised by the chairman you can’t go into an upholsterer and put on just any leatherette material on the seats," the minister said.
He also spoke about improvements on the sea connection, noting that the Port Authority is trying to improve ferry seating. He said the port may have to take one vessel off the service to install new seats imported from Australia.
He explained why the material had to be imported. "I asked why we could not use local material, but I am advised by the chairman you can’t go into an upholsterer and put on just any leatherette material on the seats," the minister said.
"The material has to be fire-resistant and meet certain international standards, and because T&T bought the vessels from Australia...I’m advised we can only get the material from Australia."
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