News Kinesha George 34 minutes ago Kelvon Morris –
THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris was unhappy to hear that THA Executive Director Farley Augustine was due to speak at the TT 62nd Anniversary of Independence Awards and Tobago Fan and Family Day at the TT Consulate in New York.
According to a press release from the Chief Secretary’s Office on Thursday, Augustine led a delegation to New York made up of members of the Executive Council, the Executive, the Tobago Tourism Authority (TTAL) and Tobago-based entrepreneurs, including October Carnival hosts and promoters. They were scheduled to take part in a series of events including the annual Tobago Fun and Family Day celebrations in Brooklyn, New York on August 18.
Morris said Tobago needs a leader who is committed, accountable and focused on solving the island’s problems.
Morris expressed his disgust in an interview with Newsday on Aug. 16.
“Tobago is in crisis. Crime is soaring, jobs are few, health care is inadequate and our people are suffering. Yet the Farley Augustine government seems more interested in globetrotting than addressing these urgent issues.”
“While our island burns, those who should be leading us are having fun overseas.
“This is not leadership. This is a betrayal of our trust. It’s time for the Chief Secretary to go home, roll up his sleeves and get to work. We deserve to be treated better. Tobago should not settle for less.”
He recalled highlighting recently that Augustine’s administration had spent about $20 million on overseas travel, which he said he had nothing to show for it.
“Now the Chief Secretary is leading another delegation to New York for a Tobago family and fun day without any clear objective or outcome. This looks like another fun trip at the expense of Tobago taxpayers.”
Watson Duke, THA representative for the Roxboro/Argyle constituency and political leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriotic Party (PDP), agreed.
“This is not the first time. He has already been out and is out again. The question is, what benefit have these trips brought to the Tobago Assembly in terms of financial rewards, what benefit have they brought to the Tobago Assembly in terms of trade between Tobago and these international communities?”
“I am very concerned that this will be just another outing for the Chief Secretary and his colleagues and perhaps an eye-opening moment for those who have never been to a Tobago Fun and Family Day.”
He said he would have preferred a Tobago trade fair be held to address trade issues more seriously “rather than dangling items that should be the foundation of our economy in front of people while they are enjoying games and music.”
Duke said Augustine was representing the entire THA at a “very difficult and dark time, not just for those who have been victims of crime but also those who have suffered economic harm.”
He said the crime situation affects everyone.
“Single parents, fathers, mothers, people trying to go back to school, people trying to put food on the table, people trying to go from school to school, even those are difficult. Even people who can’t do business, can’t pay their rent, can’t pay their mortgage. Times are tough in Tobago.”