THE average Tobagonian is demanding the right to self-determination and self-governance.
This was the statement made by Member of Parliament for Tobago East Ayanna Webster-Roy in Parliament on Tuesday as the debate for the Constitution (Amendment) Tobago Self-Government Bill, 2020 continued.
Webster-Roy said, “In its simplest form, equality of status will put us in an equal footing with Trinidad both legally and conceptually. The average Tobagonian wants a fair share of the national pie and in determining what constitutes a fair share of the national pie let equity be the guiding principle.”
She stated that the average Tobagonian demanded the right to a land and sea resources as well as the ability to manage them, legislature that has the authority to act on laws for the benefit of the people and the island and an executive in Tobago that is empowered to act on behalf of the people without interference from national Parliament or Cabinet.
And referring to the proposed amended Bill, Webster-Roy said, “While not perfect, the Committee’s recommendations and the various clauses of the bills that resulted from the Committee’s work comes closest to satisfying the desires of the average Tobagonian and responding to the call for a right to self-determination within the unitary state of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”
She added that it has laid the groundwork for establishing a new Tobago “ to which we all aspire.”
When T&T got Self government which is Independence from the UK we had to support ourself. I fully support self governance for Tobago however they must support themself. Don’t be a blight on Trinidad.