IN a heated response to Monday’s failure of the Tobago Self-Government Bill in Parliament, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, labelling him a “house slave” for disregarding the needs of Tobago’s population.
Augustine’s comments come in the wake of the bill’s rejection, which he argued does not adequately address the pressing issues facing the island.
Augustine took to social media following the parliamentary setback, expressing his frustration that Dr. Rowley’s government has ignored the “real dreams and aspirations” of Tobagonians. He criticized the proposed amendments as trivial, focusing instead on what he sees as critical matters like establishing a federal system and defining Tobago’s legislative powers.
The Chief Secretary said there was the need for genuine consultation with the Tobago people, asserting that the government’s attention to minor issues—such as the title change from “Chief Secretary” to “Premier”—is misplaced. He noted that Tobagonians had already rejected the latter title in a 2021 referendum.
Augustine said he will seek international support for Tobago’s autonomy.
He said, “We’ve tried for so long to make this work through Parliament, but it seems deliberate that they will never get it right.”
He planned to leverage international human rights laws to advocate for self-determination, a move he believes will bring attention to Tobago’s long-standing quest for autonomy.
Augustine’s remarks also targeted the minority and PNM Tobago Council members, accusing them of failing to advocate for the island’s interests. He believes that they have aligned themselves with Trinidad’s government, betraying the needs of their constituents.
As tensions escalate, Augustine remains committed to pursuing autonomy, indicating that he will work towards electing independent representatives in the next General Election to strengthen Tobago’s voice in Parliament. He reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating, “Generations of Tobagonians have fought for this. I don’t want my daughter’s generation to keep fighting the same battle.”
