Following the talks the PM announced that Government is planning to buy four new interceptor vessels to patrol the waters around Tobago. This is part of the effort to deal with the problem of drugs and illegal activities. She said the plan is to buy the boats from local manufacturers at a cost of $21 million.
She said, "In the areas of national security and fight against crime, Mr London expressed concerns about manning of coastal waters, inlets and bays in Tobago and the surveillance and protection of the waters surrounding Tobago.
"In this regard, I told him that CCTV cameras on the land have been restored across Tobago, and the radar is fully operational, which will assist both on land and on the coast.
"I also advised that Cabinet has approved for refurbishment works to be undertaken on 12 interceptors to man waters and consideration is being given to purchase four new interceptors and this is now engaging the attention of the National Security Council. We are also in discussions with regard to other vessels."
The two leaders also spoke about internal self-government for Tobago. London said he would present a proposal to Persad-Bissessar that includes a Dispute Resolution Commission approach be used to resolve the issue.
London told reporters, "The Prime Minister has agreed to flesh out the document, which I will present to her early next week with the hope that it will get a positive reaction,” London said.
“Our concern is that the issue must not reach the Parliament in an adversarial environment where somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. We must be committed that, at the end of the exercise, the objective is achieved,” London said. "I have expressed to the Prime Minister how strongly Tobago feels about internal self-government not be part of constitutional reform," he added.
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