Oral Answers to Questions TOBAGO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD, 2017 The House met at 10.00 a.m PRAYERS [MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER in the Chair] ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Question No.17 - Minority Leader. INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (Update) 17.
MR. WATSON DUKE asked the Chief Secretary and Secretary of
Education, Innovation and Energy the following question: "Given reports of inappropriate accommodations for truckers on the Cabo Star (limited access to cabins, nonfunctional toilets, etc); the modified sailings of the T&T Express due to Caribbean Airlines forward from 1:45 a.m to
mechanical issues; and the fact that the last flight from Tobago has been brought
9:45 p.m. due to run-way works at the airport, all resulting in an unreliable inter-island transportation system.
And
given the
THA's responsibility for "infrastructure, including
air and sea
transportation, wharves and airports and public
utilities" under
the 5th Schedule of the THA Act 40 of 1996,
please provide an update on the provisions being made to provide a reliable interisland transportation system (via the air and sea bridge) between Trinidad and Tobago."
2 2017.11.23 D.C 10.00 - 10.10 a.m. Oral Answers to Questions (Cont’d)
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND ENERGY [Hon. Kelvin Charles]: Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Madam Presiding Officer, the preamble to the question is not entirely accurate. As a matter of fact, as I speak there are no current works on the run-way and the flights do not terminate at 9.45 p.m.
That notwithstanding pursuant to the Port Authority tenders rule, the Port Authority issued a public invitation to tender which was advertised on August 29th, 2017, and September 1st, 2017 in the Trinidad Express, News Day and the Tobago News on Friday 1st September, 2017. Forty-four (44) packages were collected.
The Tender closed on
September 20th, 2017 and the Tender Box was opened publicly at 2.15 p.m on instant dates in the presence of some Representatives. In response to the invitation to Tender, there were eleven (11) vessels submitted for consideration which an Evaluation Committee deliberated on from October 17th to October 27th, 2017. Madam Presiding Officer, may I add, that consistent with the promise made by the Honourable Prime Minister when he met the stakeholders, the
3 2017.11.23 D.C 10.00 - 10.10 a.m. Oral Answers to Questions (Cont’d) HON. CHIEF SECRETARY (Cont’d)
Tobago House of Assembly did receive an invitation to nominate someone to sit on that Evaluation Committee and we did oblige.
Interestingly, the Tobago Chamber of the Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce also received an invitation and what is of particular importance is that a subset of that Committee really represent those who are stated in the question as the “Truckers Association.” The Tobago Chamber of Commerce declined to participate in the evaluation exercise. A report was submitted to the Port Authority Tenders Committee which then requested additional information. That process is still ongoing. MR. W. DUKE: Madam Presiding Officer, I wish to seek clarity on the question. The question was asked: "Please provide an update on the provisions being made to provide a reliable inter-island transportation system (via the air and sea bridge) between Trinidad and Tobago." We are quite aware that notice has been sent out regarding works to be done on the run-way and because the Standing Orders are so dubbed and styled that you have to ask your question way in advance.
Oral Answers to Questions (Cont’d)
W. DUKE: ... I will still ask the question. When works was proposed to be done on the highway? So, nevertheless, the relevance of the question still persists. When work commences on the highway, what provisions would be made on the highway?
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Honourable Chief Secretary.
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY:
Madam Presiding Officer, the question as
tabled, has been answered.
MR. W. DUKE: I was expecting better.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Question No. 18 by Minority
Councillor.
MR. W. DUKE:
Thank you again Madam Presiding Officer, for the
opportunity to hold those on that side accountable.
AGRICULTURAL ACCESS ROADS (Priority List – 2018)
18.
MR. W. DUKE asked the Secretary of Food Production, Forestry and
Fisheries the following question:
“Please provide a priority list of agricultural access roads and connector roads to be developed in Tobago during Fiscal 2018, for the benefit of farmers and home owners. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Secretary of Food Production,
Forestry and Fisheries. SECRETARY
OF
FOOD
PRODUCTION,
FISHERIES (Hon. Hayden Spencer):
FORESTRY
AND
Thank you very much Madam
Presiding Officer. Madam Presiding Officer, for Fiscal 2017/2018, we will be looking at:
Cadiff Road Pembroke Phase II; Richmond, Orchard Road Richard Road Phase II; Mills Trace Goodwood; Richmond Branch Road; Goldsborough Bay Road; Connecting Road at Louis D’Or; Edwards Access Road at Louis D’Or; Roxborough River Road;
Oral Answers to Questions (Cont’d) HON. H. SPENCER (Cont’d)
Delaford Kings Bay Waterfall Road; Upper Richmond River; and, Upper Argyle Waterfall River, Those are the roads we will be looking at for Fiscal 2017/2018. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Question No. 19 by the Minority Leader: Again, I stand and I thank you Madam Presiding Officer, for the continuation of democracy in one of Tobago’s best House - Tobago House of Assembly.
DWIGHT YORKE STADIUM (Infrastructural refurbishment of Facilities)
19.
MR. W. DUKE asked the Secretary of Sport and Youth Affairs the
following question:
“Use of the Dwight York Stadium has been limited due to the need for infrastructural refurbishment, resulting in no access to the gym and no sporting activities after sunset because of the unavailability of lights on the field. Notwithstanding the BOLT arrangement associated with the Dwight York Stadium, and taking into consideration the THA’s responsibility for sport under the 5th Schedule of the THA Act, what are the short-term plans to deal with the required infrastructural refurbishment of the facilities which includes the steel structure, the gym and the lighting for the field?”
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs. SECRETARY OF SPORTS AND YOUTH AFFAIRS [Hon. Jomo Pitt]: Thank you. The response to the question posed, none! MR. W. DUKE: Whow! MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Question No. 20 to the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside. LATE PAYMENT OF SALARIES
20.
MR. F. AUGUSTINE asked the Honourable Chief Secretary, the
following question:
“At the Wednesday 15th March 2017 Post Executive Council Media briefing, the Chief Secretary indicated that “with effect from April 2017, late pays will be a thing of the past.” However, several workers have had late payments. Will the Chief Secretary explain to this House the reasons for several workers receiving salaries late?”
MADAM PRESIDING SECRETARY: Honourable Chief Secretary.
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND ENERGY [Hon. Kelvin Charles]: Madam Presiding Officer, there is always a danger in selectively quoting without context.
There are nine (9) Divisions in the Tobago House of Assembly; there are thousands of workers in the Tobago House of Assembly; there are thousands of workers in the private sector. Madam Presiding Officer, I shall be only too obliged to respond to the question when there is a certain level of specificity. SUPPLEMENTAL Will the Chief Secretary explain to this House why THA employees, several of them have received salaries late subsequent to that April 2017 press briefing?
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Honourable Chief Secretary.
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY:
I have responded previously Madam
Presiding Officer. There are several workers across several Divisions in the Tobago House of Assembly.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Fourmi/Speyside)
Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse
Is the Chief Secretary saying that he does not have his finger on the pulse and does not know when THA workers are being paid laid?
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY: No. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Okay! Question 21 by the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside
TRANSFERS OF APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO TOBAGO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (Monthly transfers rather than quarterly)
21.
MR. F. AUGUSTINE asked the Honourable Chief Secretary and
Secretary of Education, Innovation and Energy the following question:
“According to Act 40 of 1996, section 47, the Central Government is legally required to make transfers of appropriate funds quarterly. Will the Chief Secretary inform this House of the following?
(a)
Is the Central Government contrary to the law, making transfers monthly? and
(b)
If so, how long has the Central Government been making transfers on a monthly basis? And what measures does the THA plan to use to get the Central Government to obey the law?”
MADAM PRESIDING SECRETARY: Honourable Chief Secretary. HON. CHIEF SECRETARY: Madam Presiding Officer, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 9 dated September 28 th 2017, to Permanent Secretaries; Heads of Department; and the Chief Administrator; Tobago House of Assembly on the subject, “Expenditure pending approval of the Estimates for the Financial Year October 01, 2017 to September 30, 2018. The Circular referred to Warrant dated September 28th which was issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the expenditure in advance of Appropriation Act Chapter 69:02.
The Act allows the Minister of Finance to: “Authorize the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of carrying on the services of the Government from October 01, 2017 to October 31st 2017; or to the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act 2018 whichever is earlier. This takes into consideration the time required for the budget debated to be completed and the budget be assented to prior to the beginning of the fiscal period”.
The THA (Tobago House of Assembly) was included in the warrant and received ten percent (10%) of the 2017 allocation for the month of October as per the Appropriation Act. Releases were requested for the months of November and December 2017 and releases for November was received. It is anticipated that releases for December will be received shortly. It is pertinent to note that similarly in Fiscal 2016/2017 releases for the month of October 2016 were received in accordance with the provision of Section 3 of the Act that I just mentioned and releases for the months of November and December 2016 issued subsequently. Releases for the second (2nd), third (3rd) and fourth (4th) quarters of Fiscal 2016/2017 were received in the months of January 2017, April 2017 and July 2017 respectively in accordance with the Act. MR. F. AUGUSTINE:
Is the Executive Council satisfied with how
releases are made? HON. CHIEF SECRETARY: Madam Presiding Officer, at this time, there is no dissatisfaction.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Question No.22 by the Member for Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi/Speyside. TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE 2017 (Recovery of monies paid to Artiste D'Angelo) 22.
MR. F. AUGUSTINE asked the Secretary of Tourism, Culture and
Transportation the following question:"International Recording Artist D'Angelo was a no show at the Tobago Jazz Experience 2017 after being paid by the Tobago House of Assembly. Can the Secretary update this House on the process for recovering such monies paid to D'Angelo?" SECRETARY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND TRANSPORTATION [Hon. Nadine Stewart-Phillips]: Thank you very much, Madam Presiding Officer. Madam Presiding Officer, I wish to inform this honourable House that Eleven Entertainment Company Limited was contracted to procure the services of D'Angelo on behalf of the Tobago House of Assembly for the Tobago Jazz Experience 2017. Several attempts were made in writing through the Legal Department to recover monies paid to the Company and no favourable feedback was received.
The Legal Department was instructed to initiate legal action against Eleven Entertainment Company Limited. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Question No.23 by the Minority
Councillor. CONTINGENCY/CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT OF THE TOBAGO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (Closing balances) 23.
COUNCILLOR DR. FAITH B. YISRAEL asked the Deputy Chief
Secretary and Secretary of Finance and the Economy the following question:"The "THA Monthly Budget Reports" provide information about monthly
expenditure
and
"Contingency/Contingencies
commitments Account,"
without
from
the
providing
information on opening and closing balances at the beginning and end of the reporting period (not to be confused with the "balance on releases" as reported in the tables). Please provide an update on the closing balance on the "Contingency/Contingencies Account" of the Tobago House of Assembly as at 30th September 2017, compared to the closing balance as at 30th September 2016." MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Finance and the Economy.
DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF FINANCE AND THE ECONOMY [Hon. Joel Jack]:
Thank you, Madam Presiding
Officer.
The opening balance of the Contingencies Account for fiscal 2016/2017 was sixteen million, seven hundred and eighty-three thousand and five dollars ($16,783,005.00). The closing balance at the end of this fiscal year was seventeen point five million dollars ($17.5m.). MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Finance and the Economy, Assemblyman Joel Jack. [Desk thumping] EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BUSINESS MOTION REQUEST TO ACCEPT THE POLICY MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MANAGE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR FISCAL 2018 DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF FINANCE AND THE ECONOMY [Hon. Joel Jack]:
Thank you, Madam Presiding
Officer. I stand to move this Motion in my name and it reads: "WHEREAS the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in accordance with Section 41 of the THA Act 40 of 1996 debated, approved and
submitted its Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for fiscal 2018 to the Cabinet; AND WHEREAS the precipitous decline in energy prices and its concomitant impact on central government revenues resulted in an overall reduction in the National Budget from $53.5 B in 2017 to $50 B in fiscal 2018; AND WHEREAS the implication of this reduction must be shared by all Ministries, institutions and citizens, including the Tobago House of Assembly; AND WHEREAS the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly totaled $2.1936 Billion or 4.34% of the national budget; AND WHEREAS in accordance with Section 25 (2) of the THA Act, the Executive Council is mandated to do all in its powers to manage the affairs of Tobago and to advance the island's socio economic development; BE IT RESOLVED that this House accept the policy measures recommended by the Executive Council to manage the financial resources of the Tobago House of Assembly for fiscal 2018 in order to continue the island's developmental thrust and to minimize any adverse impact on the people of Tobago.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this House support the plans of the Executive Council to mitigate against the challenges in the national economy; and that all Tobagonians, in this critical period, be encouraged to maximize productivity, service excellence and contribute to economic resilience as we seek to restore Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago to a path of sustained economic growth."
Madam Presiding Officer, thank you for allowing me to move this Motion in my name and because of the nature of the Motion as is precedent I will be reading a lot from a prepared text with your leave of course. Thank you. Madam Presiding Officer, once again, I have the privilege to stand before this honourable House to present this critical Motion which deals with the reallocation of the budgetary resources of the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018. As has become customary, since 2013 this exercise is primarily geared towards sharing with the people of Tobago and the wider national community, the adjustments to the fiscal priorities of the Tobago House of Assembly which need to be made in response to the budgetary funding gaps emanating from the recent National Budget approved by the Parliament.
Madam Presiding Officer, the intent of this Motion is not to present a new Tobago House of Assembly Budget, or to table revised estimates, but to indicate the priority Programmes and Projects of the Assembly for Fiscal 2018, in view of our current economic realities. We will also highlight the strategies the Assembly proposes to undertake in order to maintain this island’s development momentum.
Madam Presiding Officer,
notwithstanding the financial constraints
affecting the twin island state, I want to give the people of Tobago the assurance that this Assembly would continue to foster an environment that protects; preserves; and enhances the quality of life of all Tobagonians, while keeping our long-term developmental goals in focus by ensuring more prudent management of the Assembly’s budgetary resources.
Madam Presiding Officer, it is no secret that our nation is at a very critical juncture in its development, with a loss of petroleum revenues of approximately ninety percent (90%) over the last three (3) years, from twenty point nine billion dollars ($20.9b.) to two point eight billion dollars ($2.8b.) in 2017. It is therefore required for each of us to play our part in assisting our country through these challenging economic times. I have every confidence that if we do, our nation will become more resilient and more productive.
All of us, must commit to making the necessary
structural changes for rebuilding our economy and restoring growth.
Madam Presiding Officer, my presentation today follows some broad thematic areas. I will begin by:
Examining the international regional and national economic environment to set the context for the fiscal adjustments for 2018.
I will look at Tobago’s development needs and strategic priorities for Fiscal 2018 as outlined in the Tobago’s House of Assembly Budget Statement;
I will Examine the extent of the budgetary funding gap of the Assembly following the parliamentary appropriation from Central Government on the National Budget;
Following this, I will discuss or propose: Fiscal adjustment and strategic priorities for Fiscal 2018 given the Assembly’s allocation;
I will also
 Examine some of our proposed budgetary financing strategies as well as measures to curtail expenditure; and
I will end by:  Examining some of the Assemblies longer term strategic initiatives to foster diversification and transformation of this island’s economy.
Madam Presiding Officer, the global economy is continuing to grow at a moderate space which is expected to continue over the next year. The latest IMF (International Monetary Fund) projections indicate that global economic growth will be three point seven percent (3.7%) in 2018, marginally higher than the forecast of three point six percent (3.6%) in 2017. However, growth in the more developed countries is projected to slow to two percent (2%) in 2018, while in the emerging markets and developing countries, growth will accelerate to four point nine percent (4.9%) in 2018 up from four point six percent (4.6%) forecasted for 2017. The pace of the expansion compared to the period before the so-called great depression is due to the slowing the Chinas fast pace growth as well as slower growth, in energy exporting countries. Even in the more developed countries, there are concerns about slow in productivity growth rising inequality and aging population and the implications of these for achieving faster growth in the medium term. Indeed, the IMF is projecting that economic growth in the
more developed countries will continue to slow down to one point seven percent (1.7%) by 2022.
Madam Presiding Officer, of perhaps greater concern is a threat posed by geo-political stability by:
Increased tensions in Asia as North Korea builds Nuclear strike capabilities at a faster pace;
Political instability in the Middle East and Turkey, as ISIS crumbles and the Kurds seek to asserts sovereignty; The migrant crisis and Brexit in Europe; and A radically different foreign policy posture on the part of the Donald Trump Administration.
These geo-political factors as gender on certainty and cause investors to be more circumspect, this in turn reduces economic growth as investment expenditure lags.
In respect of the global markets, for oil and natural gas, the moderate expansion is continuing to drive demand for these products which are of course of direct interest to us here in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, the
demand for oil and natural gas is increasing, but at a slower pace because of investments being made in energy efficiency; the push to shift to electric vehicles in the transportation sector and to increase utilization of renewable energy sources in particular wind and solar energy. The cost of renewable energy has been falling quite sharply and several countries in the context of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have embrace investments in renewables and the integration of these into their electricity grid.
The Shane Oil and Gas Industry in the United States of America has become a significant factor in the evolution of the oil and Natural Gas Industry and the outlook for prices of these commodities. The United States Energy Information Administration is projecting that the United States would produce nine point nine million (9.9m.) barrels of oil per day in 2018 exceeding the previous highest level set in 1970. As a result, even in the face of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) production restraint, current projections for oil and gas prices remain flat through to 2021. A shale gas, a shale production is expected to exert a depressing effect on prices. However, on a more positive note, it is unlikely that crude oil and natural gas prices will fall back to the level seen in early 2016.
Regionally, CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) and the Dominican Republic markets are of considerable importance to many of our manufactures in Trinidad and Tobago. The projections for growth in these economies vary from strong growth, the Dominican Republic and Guyana to considerably weaker growth in Barbados and the OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States). Jamaica is expected to experience moderate but steadily improving growth over the medium term.
Madam Presiding Officer, by comparison, the Trinidad and Tobago economy is projected to contract in 2017 by three point two percent (3.2%). However, modest growth is projected for 2018, following expected increases in the production of natural gas and the halting of the decline in Crude Oil Production. We should also see some increase in the production of Petro Chemical in 2018, and as the gas shortage is progressively alleviated over time. The availability of foreign exchange remains a major concern for business activity and the industrial relations climate, remains difficult.
In addition, the non-energy economy will be adversely affected by the curtailment of government expenditure and as well as tighter Banking System liquidity.
The IMF is projecting a decline in academic activity of
about one point two percent (1.2%) in the non-energy sector in 2018.
Madam Presiding Officer, it must be said and said again, that the economic mis-management at the national level over the period 2010 – 2015, has contributed in no small measure to the economic difficulties that we are now experiencing. Madam Presiding Officer, we in Tobago are not immune from the factors affecting the larger national and global economy. Additionally, the ongoing difficulties with the seabridge and occasional challenges with the airbridge adversely impact business activity and productivity on the island. While we are on record insisting that the situation is untenable and that Tobago needs a more reliable service, we continue to work with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean Airlines to resolve the current challenges that we are experiencing with the toward with the Interisland transportation system. Madam Presiding Officer, in light of the reduced financial resources available to the Tobago House of Assembly, it also been reasonable to expect a corresponding contraction of the Tobago economy in Fiscal 2018. Then, we therefore, have a responsibility to do what we have to and to find creative ways to treat with our current situation. What is important is that we maintain expenditure to support the poor and vulnerable in our society and that we maintain a strong as Capital Expenditure Programme as possible in order to prepare for the next phase of growth. Madam Presiding Officer, the macro-economic environment in Tobago remains quite favourable as it relates to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Data
Request to Accept the Policy Measures from the most recent survey of business establishments conducted by the Division of Finance and the Economy earlier this year, suggest that the real GDP in Tobago grew from one point eight one billion dollars ($1.81b.) in 2014 to approximately one point nine seven billion dollars ($1.97b.) at the end of 2016. Both inflation and unemployment on the island have been kept to manageable levels. The latest data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) indicates that at the end of the fourth quarter 2016, the rate of unemployment on the island was approximately three point seven percent (3.7%). As it relates to inflation as at the end of September, 2017, the rate of headline inflation in Tobago was about two point six percent (2.6%) while core inflation was two point three percent (2.3%) and the rate of food price inflation averaged four point six percent (4.6%). These figures show that the prudent economic management undertaken by the Tobago House of Assembly has kept things under control and that Tobago has not experience any severe impact as a result of the economic downturn. Madam Presiding Officer, prior to my presentation of the Assembly's Budget for Fiscal 2018, the Division of Finance and the Economy engaged (as we usually do) in extensive consultations with some of the primary stakeholders in Tobago. The Division of Finance and the Economy also conducted a prebudget survey where we solicited the views of Tobagonians and
approximately six hundred and fifty (650) persons participated in the survey. Following these discussions the survey and drawing on the proposals set out in the Manifesto of the People's National Movement (PNM) in the 2017 Tobago House of Assembly elections, we identified eleven (11) Strategic Priority Areas for the Tobago House of Assembly. These are: (1)
Building economic resilience;
(2)
Fostering innovation and creativity;
(3)
Supporting our Tourism Industry;
(4)
Revitalizing our Agricultural Sector;
(5)
Developing our Human Capital;
(6)
Providing Housing opportunities;
(7)
Enhancing Health-care Delivery;
(8)
Fostering and Stimulating Rural Development;
(9)
Holistic Development of Young Adults;
(10) Preserving our Pristine National Environment; and (11) Empowering and Building Communities. Madam Presiding Officer, a closer examination of these priority areas will indicate that they aim to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth for Tobago.
For instance, we will focus on building economic resilience
because we believe that given the structure of the Tobago economy, it is important that we seek to reduce our vulnerabilities to the vagaries of the international economic environment.
At the core of our growth and diversification strategy, we sought to draw the creativity and the innovative capabilities of our people. Both the tourism and agricultural sectors are also central to our strategy for economic expansion. Madam Presiding Officer, I will say no more on these fiscal priorities as I would allow my colleagues to elaborate on their respective areas in turn during the Debate. Madam Presiding Officer, at this time, please permit me to examine the Budgetary allocations to the Tobago House of Assembly arising out of the recent National Budget and the extent of the budgetary funding gap of the Tobago House of Assembly. Madam Presiding Officer, you would recall that for Fiscal 2018, the Tobago House of Assembly requested a total of four point nine eight billion dollars ($4.98b.) from the Central Government of which three point one, nine eight billion ($3.198b.) was requested for Recurrent Expenditure. One point seven, one billion dollars ($1.71b.) was requested for Development Programme Expenditure. Seventy-seven million dollars ($77m.) for Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and fifty-five million dollars ($55m.) for Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP). For Fiscal 2018, the Budgetary Allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly totalled two point one nine three billion dollars ($2.193b.) of
which one point eight six billion dollars ($1.86b.) will be for Recurrent Expenditure, three hundred and fifteen point seven million dollars ($315.7m.) for Capital Expenditure, eighteen million dollars ($18m.) for URP and five million dollars ($5m.) for (CEPEP).
Given the size of the National Budget of fifty point five billion dollars ($50.5b.), the budgetary allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly is consistent with the Dispute Resolution Commission's (DRC) ruling of 2001 which stipulates that the Assembly be allocated at least four point zero three percent (4.03%) to six point nine percent (6.9%) of the National Budget for Recurrent and Development Programme expenditures. The allocation for the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018 is approximately four point three four percent (4.34%) of the National Budget. Madam Presiding Officer, notwithstanding the fact that the budgetary allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018 is consistent with the DRC (Dispute Resolution Commission) ruling because the National Pie is significantly smaller. The overall allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly is about one hundred and sixty million dollars ($160m.) or seven percent (7%) lower than the allocation in Fiscal 2017. As it relates to Recurrent Expenditure, the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018 is one hundred and eighty-six million
dollars ($186m.) or nine percent (9%) less than the two point zero four, five billion dollars ($2.045b.) that was allocated for Fiscal 2017. For Fiscal 2018 the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for Recurrent Expenditure represented only about fifty-eight percent (58%) of what was requested in our June Budget Statement. As it relates to the Development Programme the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018 is about twenty-six point six million dollars ($26.6m.) or nine percent (9%) higher than the two hundred and eighty-nine million dollars ($289m.) that was allocated to the Assembly for Fiscal 2017. For Fiscal 2018 the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for Development Programme Expenditure from the Central Government represents only eighteen percent (18%) of our request. As it pertains to the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly for
Fiscal 2018 is
approximately two million dollars ($2m.) or ten percent (10%) less than the twenty million dollars ($20m.) that was allocated in Fiscal 2017. Madam
Presiding
Officer,
beyond
the
direct
Parliamentary
Appropriations to the Assembly, there is another one point zero nine billion dollars ($1.09b.) allocated to facilitate work by several Central Government Ministries in Tobago in keeping with their statutory obligations under the
Sixth (6th) Schedule of the Tobago House of Assembly Act 40 of 1996. These projects are mainly geared towards improving the security architecture in Tobago, improving the island’s water security and enhancing Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) power generating capacity on the island. Some of the projects carded for financing under this medium include:
The construction of the Old Grange and Roxborough Police Stations at a cost of ten million dollars ($10m.) each;
The upgrade of the Dwight Yorke Stadium at a cost of five million dollars ($5m.);
The expansion of T&TEC generating capacity at a cost of ninety-four million dollars ($94m); The disilting and rehabilitation of the Hillsborough Dam in Tobago at a cost of six million dollars ($6m.);
The construction of new water wells costing seven million dollars ($7m.); and
The rehabilitation of the Scarborough Waste Water Treatment Plant at a cost of three point four million dollars ($3.4 m.);
What this means, is that together with the Development Programme Expenditure by the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018, we expect approximately one point six billion dollars ($1.6b.) in the construction related activity in Tobago and this would generate economic activity and continue the pace of infrastructural development on the island.
Madam Presiding Officer, notwithstanding the budgetary funding gaps faced by the Assembly, as an Administration we remain committed, to ensuring that Tobago’s developmental momentum is sustained. Let me say that again Madam Presiding Officer, notwithstanding the budgetary funding gaps faced by the Assembly, as an Administration we remain committed to ensuring that Tobago’s developmental momentum is sustained.
Madam Presiding Officer, as I indicated during the debate on the last Motion brought by the Minority bench, this Administration has been proactive as far as our budgetary planning process is concerned.
Since I
presented the Budget for Fiscal 2018 in June of this year, all Divisions of the Assembly were mandated by the Executive Council to examine different scenarios of the Tobago House of Assembly, if we were to experience any reduction in our allocation for Fiscal 2018. This was done as a proactive measure to assess the likely implications of any reduction in the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly on Tobago and to devise strategies to reduce
the impact of any reduction in the budgetary allocation on the people of Tobago.
Madam Presiding Officer, our budgetary planning did not end there. Since the National Budget was presented, the Chief Secretary, Hon. Kelvin Charles led a two-day Post Budget Retreat on the 6 th and 7th of October, 2017, which included Members of the Executive Council, Administrators; Senior Management and Technical Staff of the various Divisions of the Assembly. The primary objectives of the retreat were to review the Tobago allocation and the implications of the budgetary cuts on the Tobago economy; to devise strategies and initiatives to improve efficiency throughout the Assembly by optimizing existing resources. At that two-day Post Budget Retreat Madam Presiding Officer, the issues discussed included:
A review of the Budget Estimates; The outlining of specific plans for expenditure controls; Key development programmes project identification;
Productivity improvement plans and options analysis
as well as: The role of critical sectors such as Tourism, Agriculture and Agro-processing; as well as:
Specialized services in the transformation of the Tobago economy.
Madam Presiding Officer, only recently, the Executive Council engaged in a rigourous exercise to revisit and reprioritize the developmental agenda of the Assembly for Fiscal 2018 in keeping with our mandate to continue our developmental momentum. At these discussions, each Division was required to identify their priority projects, and as a team we deliberated to arrive at the Assembly’s priority projects for Fiscal 2018.
Madam Presiding Officer, in arriving at the overhaul set of priority projects for the Assembly, we considered and give high priority to: Ongoing projects and those of which there was prior approval and commitment;
Projects for which contractual obligations exists and projects for which tenders have already been invited or received; Projects for which pre-investment activities have been completed and projects that are likely to have a positive impact on employment; Economic diversification; The environment; and
 Income distribution on capital projects that has seen over the short-term and are revenue generating.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: You have ten (10) minutes remaining. HON. J. JACK: Madam Presiding Officer, just for clarity, do I have an additional ten after that?
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: No! The mover of the motion has forty (40) minutes. HON. J. JACK: Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. I am so guided. Madam Presiding Officer, the projects were evaluated and selected on the basis of these criteria and provision for accordingly. The list of projects were approved by the Executive Council and ranked in priorities, one, two and three.
Please allow me to just highlight a few of these projects. We have provision for the Unemployment Relief Programme in the sum of forty-five million dollars ($45m.);
 The
Community-based
Environmental
Protection
and
Enhancemenet Programme (CEPEP) twenty million dollars ($20m.);
The Studley Park Restructuring; Major Improvement to Secondary Roads; The Milford Road Bridges; The Road Resurfacing Programme; The Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (PURE); The Windward Road Special Development Programme; A Coastal Zone Protection Programme; The Charlotteville Mini Mall; The Adventure Mall; The Plymouth Arnos Vale Road; The Orange Hill Road; The L’Anse Fourmi Charlotteville Road; The Roxborough Bloody/Bay Road; The Cove Tier 3 Data Centre; Tobago Tourism Agency; Tourism Project Site and Attraction; Agricultural Access Road; Renovation of the Old Scarborough Market; Upgrade of the Belle Garden Community Centre; Construction of new Health Centres Courland Development Phase 2; The Scarborough Enhancement Programme; and The Enterprise Assistant Programme.
Madam Presiding Officer, a detailed examination of the full range of these THA priority projects, will indicate two (2) striking features:
(1)
The projects, their impact, they will impact a wide range of sector and cover all Divisions of the Assembly; and
(2)
The projects are all geared to positively impact the standard of living and the quality of life of Tobagonians. We propose
to
treat with the funding gap for Fiscal 2018 by doing the following:-
(1)
Limiting Recurrent Expenditure to one point six nine billion dollars ($1.69b.), net of any extraordinary payment and transfer the difference estimated at one hundred and seventy point two million dollars ($170.2m.) to finance Tobago House of Assembly priority capital expenditure; we will deploy contingency account resources estimated at sixty-six point seven million dollars ($66.7m.) to fund the 2018 budgetary shortfall and utilize borrowings in the sum of approximately two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250m.) to fund
key
development projects.
Madam Presiding Officer, looking at the picture as a whole we estimate that our mobilization efforts will result in a total of approximately five hundred and sixty-one million dollars ($561m.). Madam Presiding Officer, these are the primary adjustments we propose to make to our budget as we adjust our fiscal priorities to treat with our new economic circumstances. This is projected to result in a reduction in Recurrent Expenditure without any adverse impact on employment levels across the Tobago House of Assembly. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, this Administration is mindful of the fact that the financial resources of the State are not infinite. And we are also mindful of our country's current economic difficulties as well as the overwhelming quantum of requests that are being made on the National Purse. As a responsible Administration, we believe that our country's current fiscal position demands that we find new and creative ways to generate revenues and to find ways to reduce expenditure as we continue our policy mandate to increase our contribution to the national economy. Madam Presiding Officer, this Administration aims to reduce discretionary expenditure by:(1)
The establishment of Procurement Units throughout the Assembly;
(2)
The implementation of stringent procurement measures;
(3)
Improved deficiency across all Departments of the Assembly by
management (4)
adopting
more
stringent
performance
based
systems; Placement of a greater emphasis on the implementation of cost reduction measures;
(5)
Reduction in minor equipment purchases in Fiscal 2018;
(6)
Reduction of expenditure on overseas trips;
(7)
Reduction of expenditure in the cost of Assembly's function; and
(8)
A reduction of expenditure on festivals inclusive of Carnival, Jazz and the Heritage Festivals. [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, as it relates to revenue generation, the Assembly proposes to undertake several initiatives over the next fiscal year to enhance its revenue generating capacity and to supplement our budgetary allocation from Central Government. Two (2) of these initiatives will include expanding the revenue generating capacity at the Studley Park Quarry and the introduction of fees at tourist sites and attractions across Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, just before I close, please permit me to highlight two (2) of our alternative financing mechanisms to supplement our funding gap. These will include:
The utilization of Public Private Partnerships or P3s. Borrowing on the domestic market; and The use of grant funding and technical assistance from regional and international multi-lateral agencies.
Madam Presiding Officer, just please permit me to touch on these briefly with respect to our P3 Programme.
Over the past few months, we
have advanced our P3s Programme ... [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: You have three (3) minutes. HON. J. JACK: ... and this was facilitated by an existing technical corporation Agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Programme. Presiding Officer.
That Unit has also been set up Madam
I know I will have time in my wind-up and I also will
allow my colleagues to treat with some issues but as I close, let me conclude my presentation just as I started. I want to reiterate the commitment of this Administration, the commitment that we gave to the people. This Tobago House of Assembly is committed to ensuring that the island's developmental momentum is sustained. We continue to manage the island's financial resources in a way that brings optimal benefit to the people of Tobago and to minimize any adverse consequences on our people.
As responsible citizens, we cannot be
oblivious to our country's economic challenges and we must all play our part in assisting our country to adjust in these difficult times. Madam Presiding Officer, I have every confidence that if we all play our part, our country will emerge from our current economic challenges stronger and more resilient. I beg to move. [Desk thumping] Question proposed. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Member for Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi/Speyside. MR. FARLEY AUGUSTINE (Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi/Speyside): Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. You know, this morning when I woke I was between two (2) minds as to whether I should make it to the House today because to wake and realize that you are still suffering from a lingering flu, the symptoms of that and to get ready and walk out the road as I do and catch a car as I do, to come to the House, I mean the easier thing would have been to just stay in today and rest up but I decided that this Sitting was far too important to miss. Moreso, my good friends from Scarborough/Calder Hall and the Leader of Government Business, last month said to me, "See you in November." And I know that they would be anxiously anticipating my presence here.
So, I cannot
disappoint my friends who said, "See you in November." I had to show up. Unfortunately, I am not seeing my friend from Scarborough/Calder Hall.
Madam Presiding Officer, if you can recall last month, we tabled a Motion asking for the Secretary of Finance and the Economy and the Executive Council to posit in this House a new Budget that will be complete with new estimates. We were told then that this Motion is redundant, we always do that. Then the Secretary of Finance and the Economy shows up this morning and says that you know this is not a new Budget with new Estimates, but really it is to highlight priority areas. I said last month, that folks were “playing smart with stupidness” and I am wondering if we have gotten to the place of, just “stupidness”.
I expected a magnanimous
approach to use the favourite word of the Secretary of Finance, but what we got this morning is anything but, “magnanimous”. We understand that these are difficult economic times. In fact, the Secretary of Finance being a man of faith as I am, he certainly will tell you that these are definitely the last days as things gets worse. Not even incrementally worse globally but as things are approaching cataclysmic levels. These are, challenging times, no doubt and we understand very well from this side that these are, “challenging times”. We understand that it is our role, our function to assist those in the majority with ensuring that this island remains governable, with ensuring that things run as smoothly as possible; to ensure that Tobagonians do not suffer unduly, notwithstanding the difficult economic times in this country, across the region and across the world. We understand that.
We
understand that despite being a sovereign country that our realities are not disjointed from the realities of the region and the realities of the world. So, we understand the climate that we are in and we understand that now more than ever, there must be a call for extraordinariness in our approach to governance, and more so, to managing the economy of Tobago.
Now, the Secretary sought earlier on in his presentation, in talking about the misfortunes of Trinidad and Tobago to lay blame squarely on the preceding Central Government or the People’s Partnership. I too will join him in saying, that some of our problems stem from their bad management. I agree with that.
But I want to extend that by saying, that some of the same
serious bad management, bad governance, bad principles; bad style of leadership exists in the Executive Council of the Tobago House of Assembly and has existed in the Tobago House of Assembly these past sixteen (16) years. In fact, I am going to go further to use this slogan, and say that the Executive Council in Tobago, more precisely, the PNM Executive Council, Tobago that we have had for almost two (2) decades now, is just as bad as the People’s Partnership or in fact worse than the People’s Partnership, given that they have been in power longer. In fact, they are even worse. Some of the same things I hear the Honourable Prime Minister and his Ministers talking about, with previous Ministers, exist in Tobago as normal, as being the normal way of doing business. So, if we are to ensure that Tobagonians are not unduly pressured, by the state of the national economy and by the challenges regionally and internationally, then we have to look ourselves in the mirror and we have to decide to change our political behaviours. I can say here confidently, nobody on this side ever got the opportunity to spend, to use, to manage Tobago’s financial resources. We do not even have an office despite trumpeting that. We do not have an office, despite trumpeting that one will be provided. Notwithstanding all of that, we have never had that opportunity. [Crosstalk] I do not know if you should be so happy. When we look at the mismanagement of Tobago, you all on that side have to take one hundred percent (100%) of the responsibility. All of it! [Desk thumping] I know if this side was in charge, plenty people will be in jail.
So, the Executive Council must look in the mirror and do some introspection because those same attributes that led to our national economic conditions today, is what was practised and is practise in Tobago by the PNM Executive Council. The Secretary for Finance and the Economy said that Tobago has not experienced any severe impact as a result of the national downturn.
Well I
want to invite the Secretary of Finance and the Economy to do something extraordinary. In fact, I would also ask the Chief Secretary to join him. I am putting an open invitation now for them to join me on one of my walkabouts in my constituency.
To join me as we walk and touch base with the
ordinary people. You see, when you are in the Executive Council, the only lifestyle you know might be the VIP lifestyle. Walking and talking and touching base with ordinary citizens might not be part of the job spec or so you have made it out to be. But I want to invite them to join me as I touch based with ordinary Tobagonians. I am sure ordinary Tobagonians will say something differently. It does not make sense we come to this House and we create this false image, we posture ourselves as though everything is okay, as if people are not feeling the downturn of the economy, as if things are not getting harder, that does no one any good. It does not do the Executive Council any good and it does not do Tobagonians any good. A better approach would be to honestly look at the situation on the ground in Tobago, and work with the Tobagonians ordinary and extraordinary Tobagonians, to remedy in the problems that we have, burying our heads in the sand would not help us, it would not change our fortunes and our misfortunes. So to say, there is no severe impact, “things hard in Trinidad but things are not really hard in Tobago, things nice here�. That is a great
untruth! You ask ordinary Tobagonians and they are feeling more than a pinch. In fact they are feeling like somebody is strangling them at their necks. We must be honest in how we approach, the matter of our economy. But what is the state of Tobago? We hear all of these glamourized figures about the macroeconomic fundamentals of the island.
The thing about
statistics is that people could throw statistics conveniently around to match a context they create, so that they can sell their story. I mean, that is common. But what is the state of this island? What would you get if you drive around this island? What does the island look like at this moment? How do people feel? How do they operate at this moment? I will tell you this. You drive around this island, (and I talk to my constituency specifically) and drive up to my side where I live, we have perhaps some of the poorest road maintenance happening on my side of the island.
I came to this House previously and I asked a question about these Works gangs being short-staffed. The Chief Secretary answered in response on behalf of the Secretary who was out at that sitting, sort of rubbished the claim and ignored it almost like “that is a non-issue”.
If it was
Parliamentary probably he would have “steups” and sit down, when the reality is: I am not asking, but I am saying as a matter of fact, because my father is a Foreman on the road, and I know for a fact that he has a gang with just two (2) workers. To do the same maintenance schedule that his gang that previously had about seven (7) men must do, and his gang is not the only one short staff. You drive along the Hermitage Road - the reason why the work cannot get done there and the Hermitage Road cannot be maintained properly is because we just do not have sufficient maintenance workers on
the ground. Perhaps that is a physical reflection of the state of this island. Everything is just - it is an island of wax. Everything is at standstill, nothing happening, people just there wondering what is next, what are we doing? People spinning tops in mud, the place just overgrown and perhaps that is a physical reflection of how this island is being managed. That is something that we have to deal with frontally.
Recently, someone sent me photos of ambulances just parked up, bush growing out of the ambulances.
I am asking, "What is our Maintenance
Regime and protocols for these vehicles?" Meanwhile, I will have a ninety-two (92) year old man falling ill at the dead of night in Charlotteville.
The family owns only a Pickup van,
obviously they cannot take him in a pickup van, because it is too high off the ground and in the middle of the night we are going around the village asking for somebody to take a ninety-two (92) year old man to the hospital; when the expectation is that if people pay Health Surcharge all their lives and if we run a Public Healthcare Service [Desk thumping] that the Public Healthcare Service must deliver when people get sick because the reality is that most of us do not get sick as often and so for the few of us who do get sick often and we are talking about those who are aged, those most vulnerable, those very young, then we have to provide proper healthcare service.
That is part of the state
of this island. So I do not know what we are boasting about.
I made the mistake earlier this year of saying, you know what, I am going to give a few book bags and school shoes to folks who need it and I was alarmed, almost taken aback by a number of persons who were in dire need and we cannot pretend away our economic misfortunes. All of our economic misfortunes are not the result of our own doing. But that is how the economy of any island, any country, any state works. You cannot control external forces, you cannot control what happens outside of your precincts and so you will be impacted by things that you have no control over but pretending that there is not a problem, will not solve the problem, the problem will remain. So what we should have heard this morning was: (1)
A critical analysis of the problem.
(2)
A strategic way of us going forward.
But I would not be pre-emptive because I expect the Secretaries to add some meat and some flesh to what the Secretary of Finance would have said. When we were also talking about the state of Tobago, we also talked about the fact that late salaries have become the new norm. Then, I am shocked that the Chief Secretary stood up here today and find roundabout ways to refuse to respond simple because I did not say specifically which groups of people are getting their salaries late. But if you check most dailypaid workers they are all getting their salaries late. They do not even know when is trust week from when is fortnight now. To pretend that that has not happened, to pretend that it is not happening, is to pretend that we do not have a problem.
In 2014, there was a poverty study done called, "Poverty is Hell." In that report, we see where there were fifteen thousand (15,000) Tobagonians according to that 2014 Report ... [Crosstalk] [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Leader of Assembly Business, if you wish to ask a question you can request. MR. F. AUGUSTINE: I believe the Leader of Government Business will speak subsequently, so he will have his time. Fifteen thousand (15,000) Tobagonians as living under the poverty level - that is 2014. The Report revealed that poverty in Tobago increase from nineteen percent (19%) in 2005 to an alarming twenty-four point one percent (24.1%) in 2014. The fifteen thousand (15,000) poor Tobagonians are living on less than TT thirty-three dollars and eighty-three cents (TT$33.83) per day per adult. The three thousand (3,000) indigents are living on less than Trinidad and Tobago fifteen point eight nine dollars (TT$15.89) per day, per adult. The Report also is showing substantial geographical disparity of poverty as been identified in the rural communities especially in the parishes of St. John thirty-three point two percent (33.2%), St. Paul thirty-six percent (36%).
These are really the communities necessary between East and
North-East of Tobago.
Now that was 2014.
Our lot could have been
changed between 2014 and now but the thing is, when you are doing a re-
budgeting exercise one expects that we look at the entire picture and be able to say with some measure of surety, "Have we moved to a better position, have we regressed, are we at the same place?"
Those questions remain, those
questions linger an issue of poverty. I know no active politician in this House who campaigned in any election, this one or any previous election could sit here and say that Tobago does not have cases of dire poverty. Because it is when you are campaigning you are walking and going through hills, gullies, mountains and places that you would not ordinarily walk you encounter people living under some conditions that are far less than desirable. Again, it does not help us to pretend that we do not have a problem. Let us treat with the problems frontally. The Secretary spoke to projects to be done on the island. He included projects to be done by Central Government agencies and Ministries and here is where I am having a serious challenge. Because it will seem that almost annually we get these promises of projects to be done in Tobago from Ministries in Trinidad and it is not happening now it has been happening for a long while and then year come and year go and the same promises are just repeated, just regurgitated and no one comes and says to anybody in Tobago, "Well the reason why we have not done it yet is because of x,y and z." Or to explain what conditions have changed. So, Tobagonians keep hearing these promises of all these projects that just keep not getting done.
Do you know how long we are talking about the A. N. R Robinson International Airport? You know how long? In fact, I have been talking about it from before because I will quote for the Secretary of Finance and the Economy from the Hansard in the Parliament, from Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning in 2004. He was talking about work done from this Committee that was meant to treat with tourism in Tobago and he is saying one of the benefits and I am quoting: "One of the benefits that is now coming out of the work of that Committee is the decision to expand the Crown Point Terminal building. We began to address the issue of airlifts, marketing and product development as we seek to address the critical and important area of tourism in Tobago. The Committee’s work would have resulted in the increase of passenger arrivals in Tobago over the past two years …” This is 2004.
He is committing at the time a loan facility of One hundred and ten million dollars ($110m.) that was approved, and he is also committing to complete designs and to have the Crown Point Airport development. It was not even named A.N.R. International Airport then. So the point is, we keep getting promises after promises. This is not the first time we have heard about new Fire Stations; or about desilting Hillsborough Dam, we have been talking about these projects over and over again. You will hear it next year, and the
year after, but no one comes and explains why the things that are promised are never done. Not only that! Nobody on this side of the Atlantic, on this side of the pond, says anything to Trinidad when they do not get things done. Nobody confronts Trinidad about these projects that they promise and they do not do, and then they will have us believe that it is better when we have the same party in Tobago and the same party in Trinidad. Tobagonians are learning the hard way, but that is far from better.
Madam Presiding Officer, to the issue of revenue generation. I am happy that the Secretary spoke to this matter. He spoke about fees at tourist sites. That is fine! We agree with that. The Studley Park Quarry, we have made it clear that we do not support the new approach because the Tobago House of Assembly has never demonstrated its ability to manage a State Company and to do so well. He talked about:
P3s; and I am hoping to God that P3s do not turn out to be Milshirv’s 2.0 and so on. Grant funding; Borrowing.
Here is the thing that we need to get from those on the other side. Those on the other side needs to be more honest in how much revenue we actually do generate. You see those State Companies, nobody in Tobago should have to
come here to ask, force people to respond. Some of these State THA (Tobago House of Assembly) Companies have been in existence for a while, and their report should be public. How much they earn? How much you intend for them to earn? Someone should have always been public and we exist in a political situation where you just do not know.
I am going to talk about the Cassava Company till they are sick and tired of hearing Cassava Company, but people cannot say, how much Cassava Company making. People do not even know where the Capital of Paradise is. We do not know if the boat is here, if it is in St. Vincent, we do not know if it sink, we do not know if it sell, we do not know if somebody thief it, we just do not know.
That cannot be how we manage THA
Companies that we intend to generate revenues from which we can draw down from. That cannot be the approach. We have to be more honest in our dealings with Tobagonians.
We formed the Studley Park Company, how are we so sure that it will be different from the other companies formed by the Tobago House of Assembly? How do we know that it will work this time when the previous does not seem to have worked or they are not working? What are we going to do differently this time around? Is there an Operations Manual that we have that we are going to force them to operate by? What is different this time? These are the questions that Tobagonians are asking.
Madam Presiding Officer, it will be remiss of me not to say here before I close, that we too understand that to treat with our economic misfortunes, we need heavy dosage of creativity, we need imagination and we do need all hands on board. We do! We have to begin to approach governance, approach our projects differently and more creatively. We have to find a way to rekindle that spirit of volunteerism even within our communities. So I am going to throw openly on the floor right now, that I would be writing to respective Secretaries, asking for their support while I simultaneously ask my residents to volunteer.
What do I mean?
For
example, there is an urgent need for a Break Water System in Lucy Vale; and I am starting right where I live with the people I grew up among, urgent need for a Break Water System, we have seen time and time again, when tide is high and it rains that those living closest to the area, that they get flood. But guess what I have done? I have gone to those residing in the area I said look, some of you are skilled, I know some of you have done this work already, having been paid by the Tobago House of Assembly to do it, how about we do it for free this time? I will just ask the THA to perhaps give us the required amount of stones or materials that we need, but we will do it for free. I will ask the Tobago House of Assembly to send their Engineers to supervise, but do it for free, at zero labour cost. An approach like that is an approach that can also save us money. So it is not just us cutting back on expenditure from the Divisions, but we also have to cut back and change our approach to getting things done in the community. I am willing to do that.
I would be writing to various Secretaries with similar projects ideas but I have very little confidence that they would even read much more
respond to my request. That is the thing. That is the kind of approach that we really need to take Tobago forward. An approach where everyone, the entire community gets on board, that we all do things differently, and creatively, and we all see how we could save some money, save a little here, save a little there, and we can simultaneously save whilst still getting things done on this island.
Finally, I wish to end by quoting the first Stanza from a poem I learnt‌ [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Member, your speaking time has
ended.
EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion made: That the Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes [Mr. W. Duke]
Question put and agreed to.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: extended by ten (10) minutes.
That speaking time is now been
MR. F. AUGUSTINE: So I close, and I want to close with the Stanza of this poem by W. B. Yeats entitled “The Second Coming.” Just the first Stanza! Sometimes when you talk to people in pros they do not understand, so you might have to talk to them in poetry and who knows figurative language might be what they do not understand.
W. B.Yeats said: “Turning and turning in the winding gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things did fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world; The blood-dimmed tide is loose, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity …”
Madam Presiding Officer, all of us have an obligation to Tobago, all of us have an obligation to try our very best to live within the context and the means of our worsening economic cycle. We can pray for the best and work towards the best, but while we do that there are things that all of us must do and should do.
We have to be willing to give some more from ourselves. We have to change the way we govern accountability, for how we use State resources must become paramount.
We must be willing to openly share with
Tobagonians how much monies we have, how much we are spending, how much we need because there are Tobagonians who can assist us, who can work with us in remedying this problem. We have to speak to even Members in our Constituency and ask the question, "Is this something you can do for yourself?" "Can you volunteer your service even if the Assembly provides the material?" These are things that we on this side are even saying we are willing to do but to come to the House and pretend that we do not have a problem. To come here and to refuse accountability as a part of the package for remedying the problem, to come here and to wishfully say that everything is okay and nothing will be affected those things do us no good. The better approach is for us to treat with the issue frontally. Let us critically analyze it, let us go out in the fields and talk to Tobagonians. I know Members of the Executive Council have been trying - these Community meetings. We would have started that since after the Budget Presentation here in this House earlier this year. I am inviting some of you to walk with me as well because I believe if you walk with me you will see some of the same issues I highlighted today and you will understand that things ain't as nice as you think it is. Perhaps, this is the second coming but whatsoever it is we must occupy here and live here until he comes. So let us collaborate on this.
It was collaboration that we sought when we brought that Motion at the last sitting when we asked for a brand new Budget with new estimates which you said, this is what we do all the time but even after checking the Hansard records and today clearly is not what we do all the time. That is not what we do all the time. Nonetheless you brought a broad policy statement that you will have to work with. Let us look at it honestly and I will be listening keenly to hear what the respective Secretaries will be saying so that we will see how Divisions will be managing our misfortune. Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Secretary of Tourism, Culture and
Transportation, Councillor Nadine Stewart-Phillips. [Desk thumping] SECRETARY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND TRANSPORTATION (Hon. Nadine Stewart-Phillips): Thank you very much, Madam Presiding Officer for the opportunity to join this debate. I see the honourable Member has left the Chamber right after his contribution. But I just wanted to respond to two points his colleagues could probably give him the message or he may probably look on from outside.
The honourable Member invited the Secretary of Finance and by extension the Chief Secretary to join him and accompany him on his walks in his electoral district. But, Madam Presiding Officer, the Member should probably invite his Political Leader and Minority Councillor, [Desk thumping] Watson Duke who happens to be my Area Representative and is the most absent Representative that I have ever encountered. thumping]
So, before
the Representative
for
[Desk
Parlatuvier/L'Anse
Fourmi/Speyside invites, we on this side he should be looking at himself and his Minority Leader. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, the honourable Member spoke and I think he referred to the Hansard that spoke to upgrades not being done at the International Airport but he was probably too busy swimming that he had no chance to realize that the Domestic Terminal has been improved. [Laughter] Request to Accept the Policy Measures Recommended by the Executive Council [Desk thumping] The Domestic Departure Launch has been upgraded. The International Departure Launch has been upgraded. The Tarmac has been upgraded. Madam Presiding Officer, the conversation going forward centers around a new terminal building.
[Desk thumping]
That is what the
conversation is now centered around and I am happy to mention, Madam Presiding Officer, that the Chief Secretary, the Honourable Deputy Chief Secretary and myself and other Members at the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation we have been engaging in discussions with the Airports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
Madam Presiding Officer, I have a lot of content and so, I rest my case on the Honourable Member for Speyside. [Laughter] Madam Presiding Officer, as the Secretary with responsibility for the Division Tourism, Culture and Transportation, I will like to confine my contribution to the measures that my Division will be implementing to mitigate the shortfall in the budgetary allocation. Madam Presiding Officer, I seek your leave under Standing Order 42 (6) just so that I can refer extensively to my notes. Madam Presiding Officer, notwithstanding the reduction in allocation, I am confident that as a Tobago House of Assembly we are able and we are equipped to do more with less now more than ever prudent management of the Tobago House of Assembly's finances will be required. The Deputy Chief Secretary in piloting the Motion, I want to reinforce one of the points that he made and I want to commend the Honourable Chief Secretary for his visionary leadership and proactive thinking.
[Desk
thumping] I say that Madam Presiding Officer, because in the lead up to the National Budget as an Executive Council we will continuously assessing the financial uncertainties and the fluctuating oil prices. All Secretaries were mandated to revise our estimates of expenditure to reflect a 5, 10 and 15% reduction.
This reinforces the point that even
before the National Budget was read, we would have already made adjustments within our Division in anticipation of a shortfall.
Madam Presiding Officer, as the Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, I am thankful for the opportunity to be at the helm of the Division charged with responsibility for the sustainable development of the tourism industry at this critical juncture when the Central Government has also acknowledged the key role that tourism can play in diversifying the national economy. Madam Presiding Officer, ideally, funding should be allocated in such a manner to reflect the Central Government's intent to employ tourism as a key economic driver.
However, Madam Presiding Officer, the reality of
reduced allocations compels the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, compels the Tobago House of Assembly; compels all of us to be creative, to adopt creative approaches in managing existing resources while at the same time increasing productivity. Madam Presiding Officer, it is against this backdrop that I would like to paint a picture of optimism, a picture of dynamism, a picture of innovation as we seek to achieve significant wins for the tourism industry here in Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to mention the Honourable Chief Secretary again, for his decision to merge culture with tourism and that was not an arbitrary decision, Madam Presiding Officer, it was a strategic move to utilize two (2) very important industries that are mutually beneficial to each other as well as to Tobago's sustained economic growth.
Madam Presiding Officer, I led a delegation that participated in this year’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference held in Grenada and coordinated by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
This delegation
benefitted from some of the best examples of how destinations, businesses and attractions drives value through outstanding experiences that meets the constantly changing expectations of visitors. And of notably mention, was the constant reference to the idea that the new explorer is spending more on experiences, they want to immerse themselves to the culture and to the heritage of a destination.
The Division of Tourism Culture and
Transportation we are now appropriately configured to leverage Tobago’s rich culture as a platform for our tourism thrust. In an extremely crowded tourism market place, Madam Presiding Officer, it is critical that Tobago develop a distinct product and brand that offers the destination a competitive edge, if we are to be successful in this Industry. Harnessing the synergies between Culture and Transportation, will provide such an advantage as culture now becomes our unique selling point and whilst generating and highlighting the value of our culture, and generating support for our cultural heritage. Madam Presiding Officer, it is no secret that the Tourism Sector has had its fair share of challenges here in Tobago.
Nevertheless, direct
international passenger arrivals to Tobago for Fiscal 2016/2017 increased by seven point four percent (7.4%); when compared to 2015 /2016; in 2015/2016 there were twenty-six thousand and fifty (26,050) direct international passenger arrivals whereas in 2016/2017, we had twenty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five (27,965); indirect international passenger arrivals to Tobago for the financial year 2016/2017 was seven
thousand, four hundred and ten (7,410) when compared to 2015/2016 which had four thousand, six hundred and seventy-six (4,676) arrivals; domestic passenger arrivals by air to Tobago for 2016/2017, four hundred and eightyfive thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two (485,882) persons and this represents a two percent (2%) increase in arrivals from 2015/2016; domestic ferry passenger arrival for Tobago for the financial year 2016/2017 was recorded at two hundred and seventy-six thousand, nine hundred and eightyone (276,981) passengers; this reflected a thirty-eight percent (38%) decreased when compared to the previous financial year 2015/2016. Madam Presiding Officer, this decline was due mainly to the problems associated with the Inter-island Ferry that resulted in fewer sailing between the islands. Much has been said, and much continues to be said about the declining arrivals, but the research clearly indicates that there has been an increase with the exception of the arrivals by sea which attributed again, as I have mentioned the experiences with the Ferry Service.
Madam Presiding Officer, as we reflect on arrivals, I wanted to mentioned some of our major Upgrade Programmes. Again the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse/Speyside forgot to mention that major upgrade works are currently on the way at the Speyside Beach Facility. He passes there every day.
It is in Lucy Vale! [Desk thumping] The intention is to have it
completed before this quarter. thumping]
He made no mentioned of that. [Desk
Madam Presiding Officer, smoke detectors and fire alarms; were installed at all Beach Facilities and Historical Sites. We re-introduced Life Guard Services at the Buccoo Integrated Facility Station. The Division in relation to marketing efforts, we hosted Mega Fam comprising eleven (11) agents from the United Kingdom in July 2017 and a sixteen (16) page telegraph supplement was produced as a result of this activity.
The
destination participated in the “British Bird Watching Fair� during the period August 18th to 20th, 2017, and we partnered with three (3) major niche tour operators to promote the destination MacBook Travel and the natural traveller. MacBook Travel Madam Presiding Officer, has reported to us at the Division, they confirmed twenty-eight (28) enquiries for birding holidays and ten bookings to Tobago coming out of that Bird Watching Festival.
Madam Presiding in the Department of Culture, we have the Arts for the Ageing Programme which is built on the understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging. Thus far in 2017, the senior showcase met approximately one hundred and ten (110) persons discussing an array of senior related topics including; Will Preparation and Home Safety. We have the Phenomenonal Women in Arts Programme, and this brings to the fore an All Mature Women’s Group Performing Company engaging in dance; drumming etcetera. For 2017 already that group was able to produce ten (10) mature female dancers, and ten (10) mature dancers who performed at the Tobago Heritage Festival. So, Madam Presiding Officer, these are some of the Projects and Initiatives that the Division was able to successfully undertake. However, we are cognizant that there is still much to be done.
Madam Presiding Officer, I indicated in my introduction that I would outline measures that my Division would be implementing to mitigate the shortfall in the budgetary allocation. The Division of Tourism Culture and Transportation received an allocation of One hundred and eighty-eight million, seven hundred and twenty-three thousand dollars ($188,723.00) of which
one
hundred
and
sixty-two
million,
thirty
two
thousand
($162,32,000.00) has been disaggregated as Recurrent Expenditure, that accounts for eighty-three percent (83%) of the overall divisional allocation. Because of the fact Madam Presiding Officer, that Recurrent Expenditure accounts for such a significant portion of the total allocation, proper management of these funds are critical to mitigating the challenges in the national economy. The Secretary of Finance and the Economy mentioned and that would have been one signal that the Chief Secretary said that “all employment levels are going to be maintained�. As such, greater emphasis must be placed on productivity, on operational efficiency and in essence value for money.
Madam Presiding Officer, upon assuming office and having assessed the financial position of the Division, I purposed to ensure that the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation was streamlined in a way to reflect productivity. In light of this, very early in my tenure, I took a decision to utilize daily rated employees to provide janitorial services at the main offices. Madam Presiding Officer, this would result in an estimated annual savings two point three million dollars ($2.3m.) that would have been paid to Janitorial Companies. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, we
have to ensure that there are stringent measures in place to continue our efforts to reduce Recurrent Expenditure. The following seemingly simple initiatives have the potential to assist in significant cost savings. Electricity - turning off of the lights, when you are leaving the office on afternoons to go home; switching the air-conditions units off, stationery printing back and front. [Demonstrating] I started this morning as I printed my speech, back and front office Madam Presiding Officer, implementing cost saving measures as well by early planning and negotiating better with our suppliers. To achieve this, we will be working closely with the newly established Procurement Units to ensure that the Division gets value for money and the job offerings are spread across all sectors in a shared and developing economy. Implementing, Monitoring and Evaluation Systems to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Developing an Effective Performance Management System to ensure that employee appraisals are done on a timely basis and corrective measures can be put in place to address gaps in employee performance.
This
of
course, is in alignment with the Assembly's Performance Management Framework exercise that the Tobago House of Assembly is currently participating in. Madam Presiding Officer, providing training for staff to ensure that job performance and service delivery is improved.
In September of this
year at the Division, we utilized in-house expertize to provide all of our employees in our Promotions Unit with Customer Excellence Training. The
outcome, was twofold. There was a savings of approximately fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and a realization of service excellence. Madam Presiding Officer, I move to Festivals. Placing all of the Festivals under one umbrella is one of the strategies being adopted by the Division as part of our cost saving measures and using a structured approach to working. The Division received allocations to assist with:
Carnival; Jazz; Heritage; Dragon Boat; Blue Food; Carifesta; All the Festivals that Tobago currently has.
Our Tobago Carnival and our Tobago Jazz Experience, the Tobago Heritage and the Tobago Blue Food Festivals are some of our key festivals tourism products. We have to ensure that our Tobago Carnival is developed in a way that caters to and attracts a clientele seeking a slightly different experience from our sister isle in Trinidad. While the events vibe, look and feel should not be too distinct from Trinidad, it must be refined and promoted in a manner that distinguishes it as a Carnival experience that is exclusively and uniquely Tobagonian. Madam Presiding Officer, the Blue Food Festival was already executed for this financial year, it was held on October 15th and I can say that there was a significant reduction in expenditure for staging that event.
The lead time for planning provided enough time for negotiations to ensue an overall. We looked at utilizing more cost effective alternatives. Madam Presiding Officer, these measures in no way compromised the quality of the event. Just at this juncture I would like to commend the Staff at the Division and the residents of L'Anse Fourmi/Parlatuvier/Bloody Bay, who continue to make this event a success and some of the volunteers as well Madam Presiding Officer. Madam Presiding Officer, the Tobago Jazz Experience has been in existence for nine (9) years. The Festival has been reviewed to determine the socio-economic benefits it offers to the island and the tourism business Unit. This Festival was reviewed by an Evaluation and Strategic Task Force Committee headed by Dr. Keith Nurse.
The Task Force carried out
extensive research working with stakeholders in both the private and public sector to ascertain the challenges that hamper the growth of the Festival over the years as well as identified opportunities to be seized in the future. As we go forward, the actions to be taken will be closely monitored and assessed based on its ability to deliver the following:
Boost ticket sales; Other sources of earned income; Expand and widen corporate sponsorship; Manage production expenses; and Enhance the marketing and branding of the event and the destination.
And in the end, the Tobago Jazz Experience will become the Festivals Tourism Flagship Event that it is intended to be. Madam Presiding Officer, I move to international airlift and cruise. Under transportation, airlift and cruise, the Division received an allocation of forty million dollars ($40m.)
The intention, is to maintain our current
airlift out of our major source markets, the UK (United Kingdom) and Germany. It was just on the 11th of this month two Sundays ago that our winter only flight out of Manchester in the UK with Thomas Cooke resumed. We have British Airways flying two (2) times weekly out of Gatwick London as well as Virgin Airlines. From Frankfurt Germany, Condor Airlines and also direct airlift out of John F. Kennedy Airport with Caribbean Airlines. Madam Presiding Officer, the point must be made that Tobago does not lack airlift. What we do have is a lot of unused capacity and that represents an opportunity for us.
We must develop strategic marketing
visibility to fill the capacity and win over the other islands that we share these flights with - win over their market share. This will be one of the functions and the short-term focus of the Tobago Tourism Agency which I will speak to later in my contribution. Madam Presiding Officer, in the area of cruise. The Cruise Industry remains the segment of the Leisure Travel market that continues to experience rapid and consistent growth. As the Division of Tourism Culture
and Transportation works alongside the newly formed Tobago Tourism Agency and all tourism stakeholders to build a stronger, more sustainable tourism product, we are of course excited and grateful that Destination Tobago is now in a position to capitalize on the constantly expanding cruise season. Madam Presiding Officer, this cruise season we are expecting in excess of one hundred and three thousand (103,000) passengers and sixtyseven (67) plus calls to the destination and I say, "plus" because yesterday I returned to my office to an e-mail of two (2) additional cruise ships coming into Scarborough Port in December and this figure represents one of the highest arrivals that we can expect for cruise in Destination Tobago. [Desk thumping] We welcomed our first cruise ship on November 15th with approximately one thousand and seventy (1,070) passengers most of whom disembarked and took tours around Tobago. On Monday we had the Adonia and tomorrow Friday we are welcoming the Marilia cruises on its main voyage to Tobago and it has a capacity in excess of three thousand (3,000) passengers. So, again, Madam Presiding Officer even as we look forward to cruise season 2018/2019 we must engage in the discussions now which is also a function of the Tobago Tourism Agency. Madam Presiding Officer, in the area of Sport Tourism we have seen what sport can do for us not only as a destination but rather as a country and we are keen on developing Sport Tourism on the island. We have been
provided with an allocation of two million dollars ($2m.) to assist with the development and support of Sport Tourism on the island. Tobago has seen over the past decade an increase in sport related activities including the: Cycling classic; Dragon Boat Sea to Sea Marathon; and Game Fishing Tournament; just to name a few.
So there will be a move to strengthen the resource capabilities in the Division to place greater emphasis on this niché. Madam Presiding Officer, the aim is to revitalize the Sport Tourism Committee which will comprise representation from the Division of Tourism, the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs. Also persons from the private sector as well and they will be charged and expected to work closely with the Sport Tourism Promoters and organizations to develop new and enhanced existing Sports Tourism offerings to ensure they become sustainable. Request to Accept the Policy Measures Having been in existence for a number of years Madam Presiding Officer, these Sport Tourism Promoters, they must look extensively to becoming sustainable in the near future so that they can support their event, of course with the necessary guidance that will be facilitated by the Sport Tourism Committee.
Madam Presiding Officer, under the Department of Culture for Recurrent Expenditure, the Division received allocation for Cultural Programmes, cultural groups; and the Tobago Indigenous and Traditional Arts Academy. We are prepared to lead the way in the cultural thrust to preserve and promote Tobago’s culture. The Division will place greater emphasis on the Creative and Cultural Industries and as another means of economic diversification. We must recognize the enormous potential of our island and its people. It is for this reason the Division will accelerate the development of our human resources through the expansion of our Performing Arts Training Programme.
Our Carnival Development Arts
Programme, Certification of practitioners through the Community School for the Arts Programme and the Tobago Indigenous Traditional and Arts Academy. As it relates to the Tobago Indigenous and Traditional and Arts Academy, the idea is to enhance the Divisions role by adding a structured approach through a Curriculum Based Training Initiative for Indigenous Traditional and Contemporary Arts. The main goals Madam Presiding Officer, are: Preservation; Contextualization and dissemination; and A Certification of Tobago’s Cultural Art Forms.
The identified accredited agency is the National Training Agency.
A
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is currently with the Legal Department of the Tobago House of Assembly for a review. It is proposed
that this MOU will be the formal agreement between the Division and the National Training Agency (NTA). What is of notably mention Madam Presiding Officer, is that Tobago will be the only Caribbean island where one can be certified in both indigenous and traditional arts and can therefore obtain CVQ status which is Caribbean Vocational Qualification through the NTA for this Programme. This would mean Madam Presiding Officer, again economic benefits for Tobago can be realized as the whole idea of Research Tourism will now be in focus. Madam Presiding Officer, that in a nutshell spoke to our Recurrent Expenditure under the Division of Tourism Culture and Transportation. I want to spend just a few minutes on our Development Programme allocation.
Under DP Madam Presiding Officer, the Division was allocated twenty-six million, seven hundred thousand dollars ($26,700,000.00) and represents seven percent (7%) of the overall Divisional allocation. This is where emphasis will be placed on prioritizing projects and bringing to completion rather than attempting to do everything at once and nothing gets completed. Under site attractions and facilities, it is of utmost importance that our domestic even our local and international visitors enjoy wonderful experience‌ [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Member your speaking time has
ended. EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion made: That the Hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes [Hon. K. Des Vignes] Question put and agreed to. HON. N. STEWART-PHILLIPS: Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer, and thank you very much Colleagues.
Under site and attractions, I will have to run through here, we are looking at Phase III of the Fort King George Heritage Park to be completed. Already in an effort to improve our existing tourism and cultural products on our island, the Division only recently introduced a new product offering to residents and visitors alike, that is the Fort King George Reenactment. This comprises several outdoor theatrical presentations which highlights significant historical relicts found on Fort King George. The interactive theatre presentations is one of the many initiatives implemented by the Division to make the Tobago experience a unique one. This park is intended to generate revenue and it is expected to become operational in January 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, just running through quickly again under Development Programmes, restoration of historical sites, focus on the Gang Gang Sarah Burial Site; we have island wide Signage; as well as our Community Awareness Programme.
But one of the topics I wanted to
ensure I covered Madam Presiding Officer, even as I spoke about our allocation and how we intend to use our allocation, I want to touch on the capacity for “Revenue Generation”.
The Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation currently generates revenue from applications for use of Beach Facilities and historical sites. We have a number of beach facilities including:
Charlotteville; Speyside; Kings Bay historical sites; All our forts etcetera
These sites and facilities are usually requested for birthday celebrations, baptisms and for the period, March to October 2017, the Division accrued in excess of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) for the use of its site and facilities for the activities that I mentioned before.
The Division also
generates revenue from concessionaire spaces: Charlotteville; Speyside; Kings Bay; Fort Granby; Bloody Bay Beach Facilities.
We will now do deliberate marketing of these sites and facilities with the propensity to generate even greater revenue.
Madam Presiding Officer, I must touch on the recently established Tobago Tourism Agency Limited. The core mandate of the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited is to lead the redevelopment of the island’s tourism product and the marketing and re-positioning of Tobago as a premier destination founded on the principles of sustainable development. While the agency will continue to focus on the development of our traditional tourism niche segment, dive, bird watching, honeymoon etcetera.
It will give keen
attention to developing the potential of emerging segments such as: Cruise; Cultural Heritage; Adventure; and Wellness.
Recently Madam Presiding Officer, the Board of the Tourism Agency recruited a Chief Executive Officer in the person of Mr. Louis Lewis. Now, the agency facilitates rebuilding a destination that is competitive and sustainable which will require the establishment of quality standards, training of workers, research on the impacts of contributions of tourism the development of quality products and services, and the facilitation of investment into the island’s Tourism Industry. In order to fulfill its mandate, the agency will be working through the public and private sector stakeholders and local regional and international partners in aviation cruise and hospitality sectors.
Now, marketing our destinations is crucial as it
serves to inform the world of who we are, where we are and the agency is charged with utilizing creative means to market destination Tobago. One of the intentions is to place emphasis on digital marketing which provides a
wider platform for greater reach and more visibility. Our technology continue to evolve and visitors are keeping up with the time, as they are looking for attractiveness, ease of retrieving information and the need to get information at their fingertips.
So, as I wrap up Madam Presiding Officer, I would have outlined the actions to be taken as we worked towards revitalizing Tobago’s tourism sector. We are cognizant Madam Presiding Officer, that there are challenges to overcome, and I can assure the people of Tobago that this Administration is working assiduously to address them. However, we cannot do it alone, collaboration and commitment are paramount. As such we look forward to working with all stakeholders and the people of Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, I have confidence in the destination, I have confidence in our future.
Again, I invite all Tobagonians to get on board
even while we as individuals make personal adjustments in these challenging economic times. I thank you. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Assemblyman Shomari Hector, Assistant Secretary in Community Development. [Desk thumping]
ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR (Mr. Shomari Hector): Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. I want to begin by thanking our Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary in the Division of Finance and the Economy for his presentation as it speaks to what we are prepared to do, and how we are prepared to re-align and re-organize our priorities in order to service the interest and the needs of Tobagonians towards the realization of our common good and collective goals. I wish also to thank my Colleague who would have spoken immediately before me. Because what she has done is to clarify a lot of the things that I would wish to speak to particularly since the whole business of Community Development is concerned with people's development. So, I want to thank you most especially because this is new to me and you being a veteran having served in capacities similar to this, allows me to use your template in order to speak directly to the people of Tobago in a language that they would understand and appreciate. So, I thank you that I am able to fall in your tutelage. [Laughter] I want to start as she would have started not to be a copycat but to remind the people of Tobago that on this side of the divide we take our business of providing leadership and direction for the people of Tobago seriously. So, it came as no surprise to us in fact, we were able to respond with practical readiness to the reductions in the Budgetary allocation afforded us by the Central Government for the Fiscal 2018. were able as
Because we
the Councillor would have said before, to engage ourselves in some scenario plannings that afforded us an opportunity to look at things objectively and practically and to begin and prepare ourselves to make decisions that will redound to the benefit of all peoples not just here in Tobago but to those who will also grace our shores. Madam Presiding Officer, I stand today in my capacity as Assistant Secretary in the Division of Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour. I know by now my colleagues are holding their breath because they anticipate me saying (and I will not disappoint) that I serve in the best Division in the Tobago House of Assembly. [Laughter] The evidence of which is in their lack of stun and surprise represented on their faces. [Laughter] Madam Presiding Officer, in the Division, our responsibility and our mandate is concerned with providing for the social and economic development of the peoples of Tobago.
Our mission similarly is a noble
one, one that we bear aloft and one that we pride ourselves in, which is to “Build Strong Families, Self-sustaining Communities and a Healthy and Productive Workforce.� Madam Presiding Officer, I seize this opportunity to speak to some of the plans and some of the activities which we intend to undertake as a Division. Unlike what would have been said by the Deputy Chief Secretary, there is no need for a new Budget because we would have taken all precautionary actions and measures to ensure that everything that we would have submitted in our first intimation reflects what we are able to do
regardless of the state of the economy and that is simply to improve the quality of our people’s lives. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to start from a very global perspective and narrow it down as I continue. But I am also hoping to be relatively short because there is much to be said by everyone. The first thing I wish to point out, Madam Presiding Officer, is that when we assumed office some nine (9) months ago we came in to an already bad situation. A bad situation not characterized by former leadership or not characterized by the decisions made in the past and in olden times but rather we came into a bad situation because the world as we know it, recognize some economic challenges. Madam Presiding Officer when we first came in, we told the people of Tobago calmly and clearly, that we were operating on a budget shortfall of about six hundred million dollars ($600m.). While it is true that one may argue that the situation has not improved and while it is true that one might argue that the situation perhaps has worsened, we recognized as an Administration and as a leadership on the island that we are living in very exciting times. I say that simply because the challenges of today affords us an opportunity Madam Presiding Officer to be able to introspect, to dig deeply within ourselves but more importantly, to begin to look at each other for solutions. We have recognized now more than ever Madam Presiding Officer, that nobody could govern alone, that we need each other and that we need
stakeholder investment, participation, collaboration and we need the kinds of synergies that is necessary to move our thrust forward. Madam Presiding Officer, one of the things which we have purpose to do as a Division is to decentralize THA and governmental services and this affords us an opportunity to deliver close
to families and within
communities the very services which they are dependent on in order to improve their prospects and improve the quality of their lives. Madam Presiding Officer, we recognize that the day is done for Tobagonians to try to navigate the cost of the roads and the courses of their lives in order to get to one institution or one facility to access one service. We are saying on this side of the divide that the time has come for us to make those services available to people within their places of abode, within their communities and within close proximity to their lives as they know it. Madam Presiding Officer, I wish also to indicate that as a result of this consciousness we did a few things on this side of the divide. And one of the first things we did is that we recognize that it cannot be business as usual but instead the time has come for it to be business as unusual. So we began to take some critical introspections of ourselves and of our actions and our attitudes which gave us an opportunity, Madam Presiding Officer, to see that we need to begin to make certain kinds of cuts and to begin to pattern certain kinds of adjustments. You have heard the Honourable Chief Secretary said time and time repeatedly, that that cut is even reflected in what we received during the
luncheon period after the meeting of the Executive Council. I am yet to see it reflected in my physical anatomy. [Laughter]
But be that as it may,
Madam Presiding Officer, we know all too well that the time really has come for us to do things differently. In the Division of Community Development we have received Recurrent Expenditure amounting to forty-nine point three million dollars ($49.3m.) and Developmental to ten point five million dollars ($10.5m.) which reflects in percentage just about forty-three (43%) to forty-five percent ($45%) of what we ask for initially.
So we know that with
significantly less the time has come for us to do significantly more. One of the ways we have recognize that will help us to do significantly more with significantly less is to partner and to build synergies. Madam Presiding Officer, and so we have already began taking steps and taken actions, to ensure that all of the resources available to us in the Division of Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour will be made available to every Division across the length and breadth of Tobago and the Tobago House of Assembly. We also have their commitment to ensure that their resources will be made equally available to us. You see for us Madam Presiding Officer, we recognized that part of the national thrust which seeks to focus now more than ever on tourism, agriculture and entrepreneurship must be realized at the level of the community.
I want to pause sufficiently long to thank my Secretary and my Administrator as well as all of the Members of the staff within my Division
for the noble work which they have done over the past few months to ensure that we continue to rise to the occasion.
Our Division comprises four (4) Departments and these include: Community Development… [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Members the sitting will now be suspended for lunch and will resume at 1.15 p.m.
12.31 p.m.: Sitting suspended. 1.15 p.m.: Sitting resumed. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: We will now resume the debate with Assemblyman Shomari Hector.
MR. S. HECTOR:
Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. Before the
break, I was about to speak to some of the accomplishments of the respective Departments in our Division. I would wish to continue along those path and very quickly sum it up.
Community Development:
In navigating the way forward, we
recognize Madam Presiding Officer, that there is need for proper policy and for Rules and Regulations. In fact, so much so, I believe just as what Chief Justice Denim does, that “even if we were a society of angels, we will still need rules”. It is with that kind of conscientiousness that in the Division, we
are proposing to ensure that we move our Draft Policy for the management of Y Zones and community spaces to ensure that they become actual policies so that the utilization of these spaces, our seven (7) Y Zones and our community facilities across the length and breadth of Tobago can be utilized by the people of Tobago. We have a preparation schedule Madam Presiding Officer, as it speaks to the whole matter of utilizing these Y Zones Facilities which are intended to be youth spaces. We are prepared to do all of the prepatory works to ensure that these facilities are well outfitted with the necessary infrastructure; the essential equipment; the managerial staff and all other services that will be necessary to ensure that young people have an avenue to be able to explore their creative potentials.
Madam Presiding Officer, as part of the diet of the programmes that will be afforded in these Youth Centres would be a Programme or a training on the social responsibility of using social media. We recognize now more than ever, that we live in a world and in an age where violence is reduced to entertainment; where we mistake the freedom of speech to be bold and to be insensitive. But we are saying, that we have a responsibility to our young people and we are prepared to take that responsibility seriously. So among other things which will include: Media Training; Preparation for the Road of Work; Conflict Management and Mediation; Enhance Literacy and Numeracy and Programmes, Resume Writing;
Job related skills; Customer Services; Arts and the likes
We are saying that it becomes important for us to provide Services and Programmes which help persons to appreciate that there is a social dimension that requires a measure of responsibility as it speaks to their use of social media and other instant messaging and platform programmes.
Similarly, in the Division of Community Development and Labour, you would have heard me say earlier Madam Presiding Officer, that we recognize now more than ever, the need for partnerships. One of the strategic partnerships which we have formed is an alliance with the Ministry of Community Development in Trinidad, where we are presently working to craft or to construct a National Policy on Community Development.
Some of our detractors may argue that this is the age of “gloom and doom”. They may even quote poetic pieces like Yeats and argue that, “the centre cannot hold and that things fall apart”. But let the records show Madam Presiding Officer, that that is not true of the Tobago context. In fact, in examining the Draft Policy on the Community Developmental Framework that is been sort after right now. Our Trinidadian counterparts recognize that we in Tobago are far advanced and well ahead of them. In fact, so much so, that I can now pride myself in being able to say that they are preparing themselves to review our operations here in Tobago to adopt
some of our practices for their roll out in Trinidad inclusive of rehabilitating and reconstituting Village and Community Councils so that they can drive their agendas within communities. So, unlike the opinions of some, it is not, “gloom and doom�. We are doing our best here in Tobago, and are easily and quickly becoming the catalyst for our Trinidadian counterparts as it speaks to Community Development.
Similarly, I wish to turn your attention to the whole concept of Business Development under the banner of Enterprise Development. We have distributed thus far, Grants and Loans amounting to one point one million dollars ($1.1m.) to the benefit of thirty-three (33) persons Madam Presiding Officer. We have also opened the Micro Enterprise Center in June of this year which would allow our young entrepreneurs an opportunity to be able to show case their brand, bring their products to the fore and really build a local economy in the Tobago context.
In fact, in Fiscal 2018, the Adventure Micro Mall Plaza in Plymouth will be opened and one Charlotteville in the following year.
We had
proposed from onset that we intend to take entrepreneurship seriously. As a result, we intend to move the Grant Facility from twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and the Loans Facility, from two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00).
Because of the financial
constraints in which we have found ourselves, it is not feasible and it is not
prudent for us to engender that kind of undertaking in Fiscal 2018. But I want to give the people of Tobago the firm assurance, that delayed is not denied and that their prospects towards building sustainable businesses that will allow for further employment of persons within communities will be realized and it will be realized under this PNM led Tobago House of Assembly Administration. [Desk thumping] Similarly, with Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) Madam Presiding Officer, with a budgetary allocation amounting to eight million dollars ($8m.), the business of CEPEP with such an allocation can only be run comfortably for one quarter. The commitment has been made by our Honourable Chief Secretary to maintain levels of employment. As a result, we are doing all that is within our powers that persons are not sent home, that they are not retrenched and we do not help them to become something that they do not want to be.
Madam Presiding Officer, I sat and I thought about this thing very seriously, about the prospects of retrenchment.
Economists argued that
when an economy is under strain and experiencing pressure that perhaps one of the available options to be undertaken would be the retrenchment of about thirty/thirty-five percent (30% -35%) percent of your labour force. We recognize in the Tobago context that if we send home thirty or thirty-five percent (30-35%) of our labour force, then everybody else who we have retained will be at risk and the quality of their life will be in jeopardy. Those persons who we have disengaged will now have an alternative avenue to engage themselves and that would only lend to the rise of criminality and criminal behaviour. So, we are saying to safeguard our own democracy, to
preserve the continuity of our governance, we are prepared to do all that is necessary to maintain levels of employment in ways that are sustainable. But Madam Presiding Officer, in order to do that, there are some difficult truths which we have to confront. One of the truth is that the time has come for the walls of division of exclusivity to be levied and level. No longer can we endure persons parading themselves up and down in confined spaces saying that this is there area of responsibility or that this is their scope of work. Now more than ever, the time has come for all hands to be on deck and we are saying very strongly to the Tobagonian people that anybody who is employed in the Tobago House of Assembly will be made to work so that we can get an honest day's work for an honest day's pay towards putting our economy on a path to recovery.
Madam
Presiding
Officer,
Community-Based
Environmental
Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) will be utilized not just in community spaces but also in other Divisions to help them to be able to realize some of their goals. It is in fact, for us, a cost cutting mechanism but also a means of ensuring justification for their continued existence and engagement. In addition, to Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) in the Division we are also home to the Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSHA). In the eight (8) months or nine (9) months since we have been here, we have been able to pride ourselves in the fact that they have conducted
fifty-five (55) risk assessments, three hundred and six (306) inspections across the Tobago House of Assembly. That they would have completed twenty-four (24) job safety analysis and would have done continuous training of staffs within Departments across all of the Divisions of the Tobago House of Assembly. In fact, they have recognized as all of us have, the need to ensure that the services are further decentralized and reflected in communities and as a result, we are presently working to ensure that the World Health Organization Safe Community Project in Tobago which will allow every Tobagonian to be resident in a community that they can consider to be safe and free from all kinds of ills of society. Madam Presiding Officer, I can go on and on about the accomplishments which we have had but the truth is that now more than ever we have to be able to manage expectations. So, I want to speak very quickly about the things which we proposed to do in moving forward even with the Labour Department that is now resident in all Divisions. The Labour Department now has a Mobile Unit a bus which we have wrapped and converted into a Mobile Labour Department that will be able to provide labour related services within communities. Madam Presiding Officer, we anticipate that the launch of this service will be done on the 7th December and that the roll out of the actual services be made available to the people of Tobago from as early as the second week in January.
Madam Presiding Officer, we are confident that the work of the Labour Department is an important and an essential one. So much so, that recently we met with the Minister of Labour, her Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary and a team of persons from the Ministry to discuss the transfer of certain powers from the Ministry to the Tobago House of Assembly that will allow for certain labour related services to be afforded to the Tobagonian people under our guidance and under our rule. Madam Presiding Officer, such services will incorporate: mediation, conciliation, and the likes.
We also got the commitment from the
Honourable Minister that Cipriani and the likes will help Community Development to develop contact hour programmes and tailored initiatives to be delivered over the course of fix periods in communities to help persons to acquire skills, gain certification and to increase their prospects and their livelihoods. Madam Presiding Officer, I also just want to point out that we have gone a little further.
We recognized that not only must we partner in
Trinidad and Tobago but we must also look at the word as it is to glean from the resources available in human societies the world over. One of the things we are proposing to do in moving forward Madam Presiding Officer, is to engender a kind of programme, one very similar to that which is offered by the University of Louisville that speaks to a social responsibility youth camp. Madam Presiding Officer, we are saying that we need to pay particular interest in the health and the well-being of our youth and we are prepare to
do all that is within our core powers to ensure that we give them opportunities, training and the likes in order to realize their fullest potential. My Secretary, Assemblyman Marslyn Melville-Jack would have stood and made some commitments as it speaks to the whole business of community facilities. You might have heard her say that we have million dollar infrastructure and facilities that are locked up for most of the day. Madam Presiding Officer, I am pleased to announce to you that we have come a long way since, that we have moved far away from that and that these facilities are now opened on a daily basis delivering THA and governmental services within communities. You would have also heard the commitment being made about the undertaking of six (6) what we consider to be priority projects: (1) (2)
An Assembly priority; and The five (5) other Divisions priority project.
You would have heard initially, that:
The Construction of the Belle Garden Community Centre; The renovation to the Castara Community Centre; Signal Community Centre; Canaan/Bon Accord Multi-purpose Facility; Mt. Grace Community Centre; and The Bethel Community Centre would have been undertaken some routine maintenance and infrastructural developmental works.
Madam Presiding Officer, the commitment would have been given to the people of Tobago, that in the months of November and December all of these projects would have been completed with the exception of the Belle Garden Community Centre which is carded for completion on September 28th 2018 or there about. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to announce to the people of Tobago, through you that we need now more than ever like I said, to clarify and manage expectations. So, I want to share with this honourable House and the people, the new dates for completion due to some unforeseen circumstances and some hiccups that kept us back along the way. But also, to give commitments that even though these projects would have been delayed that they are still very much within Budget and that they will not be subject to any kinds of variation that will cause any additional spend. Madam Presiding Officer, the Castara Community Centre is presently at twenty percent (20%) completion as of November 6 th and is carded for completion by the second week of January. Similarly with the Signal Hill Community Centre: we experience some delays as of November 6th and all of the period under review would be as of November 6th 2017. We are at seventy percent (70%) completion with a new anticipated completion date of the end of the month of December.
The Canaan/Bon Accord Multi-purpose Facility is shifted from a September deadline and even further shifted to span November into early December because they are at a ninety-five percent (95%) completion and so their facility is almost immediately ready for handover and for the delivery of additional services. The Mt Grace Community Centre is at ninety percent (90%) completion and we anticipate that that also will be done by mid-December so that services can be delivered from January morning bright and early, if you would have me say it like that. As it speaks to the Bethel Community Centre, we are at seventy percent (70%) completion and anticipate that the project will culminate by the end of January or within the early period of the month of February 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, in the Division we have recognized that whereas we are called to do more with less that we have to inspire fresh hope and give our people expectations and something to look forward to. And as a result, what we have decided to do is to ensure that persons with entrepreneurial abilities can have entrepreneurial opportunities to be able to stir within their communities and within the Tobago context, a kind of economy that could lend them a quality way of life. Madam Presiding Officer, and so, we have already undertaken two (2) Night Markets and a Road Market. In the months coming, we anticipate doing other Road Markets. We would have moved from Parlatuvier to
Calder Hall and a few weeks ago we would have done one in the heart of Scarborough. We anticipate that the other one will be done in the Lowlands Community as we move further towards the south-western end of the island and that a Christmas Village is proposed to ensure that businessmen and entrepreneurs and service providers in the Tobago land space can come together on the Esplanade and construct or create a Christmas Village. So everything that you may want or aspire to for the Christmas period in readying yourselves for this festive celebration will be afforded us at that Christmas village which spans the period December 11th to 16th, 2017. So, this is an invitation for all the peoples of Tobago and to those persons who will be gracing and visiting our shores to come to our Christmas Village and partake in the things that we have to offer.
More importantly, Madam Presiding Officer, we recognized that with less money, all we need to do in order to improve the quality of people’s life is to pay attention.
So, we intend to pay attention to the things our people
are saying, to the things that they are pronouncing. I want to just let the Honourable Member know that we need not accept an invitation to come and walk with you because our walk was never ended, and is not ending. [Desk thumping] We continue Madam Presiding Officer, to engage our people at the most rudimentary levels of our communities to ensure that we hear from them. As we would have said from the onset, nobody can govern alone, and we proposed that as we provide policies and provide leadership
that their views are taken into consideration that we speak to the things that affect them most.
So, Madam Presiding Officer, even yesterday (while I do not wish to make a boast of myself) I would have gone out to certain communities and engaged our community employees who are out there in the field and in the trenches to inspire fresh hope on behalf of this conscious guided, and conscience led Administration, to ensure that they continue to remain engaged and continued to be satisfied.
Madam Presiding Officer, I want to speak very quickly‌ [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Member your speaking time has
ended. EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion made: That the Member’s speaking time be extended by a further ten (10) minutes [Hon. K. Des Vignes]
Question put and agreed to.
MR. S. HECTOR: Thank you Madam Presiding Officer, and thank you Colleagues.
Madam Presiding Officer, we recognized that while we are doing all that we can in the best interest of the people, within the wider communities that we must pay attention to our internal stakeholders. As a result the Division of Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour presently pursuing construction or the formulation of a Capacity Building Steering Committee that will work hand in hand with our HR (Human Resource) Department and our HR Officers to ensure that internally, our staff is afforded training and training opportunities that could help them build skills and competencies to roll out the kind of service deliveries that we anticipate providing for the peoples of Tobago.
Madam Presiding Officer, we also have proposed mandatory training for our CEPEP employees, our field officers in CEPEP to ensure that they are able to get to the level of certification, so that they will be able to pursue competitive employment in other places outside of the Tobago House of Assembly; to provide them with training and
Business Incubation and
Entrepreneurial Skills that will allow them to enter into businesses in Industry and Commerce, to be able to turn around not just as merchants, but as entrepreneurs and as future employers.
Madam Presiding Officer, we recognize that we are the ones to whom we have been waiting, that no one else is coming, and that the health of Tobago is dependent on the work that we do here today.
I just want to close by quoting a very good friend of mine, a friend whom I have grown close to at University. She is of course, Ms. Lydia Nanton who was the Valedictorian at the National University of the University of Trinidad and Tobago Graduation Ceremony a few weeks ago. She spoke to the potential of a seed. She said, “That if that seed is planted, and if it is nurtured and if it is cared for, it will germinate and it will bring forth a certain kind of fruit”. She closed her presentation and I wish to quote the things which she said because I think that it is applicable to the Tobago context and to the whole vision and the promise of us “Unleashing the Creative and Productive Capacity of our Peoples”.
She argues and I quote: “That we have to do the best that we can do; that we have to be the
best that we can be; because now more than ever we have to germinate within our own lives and from amongst our own
people the
kinds of successes which we anticipate, because
architects cannot recreate our passions and our vision. No! She argues that business cannot incorporate our ambition. No! Churches cannot indoctrinate
our passions.
They cannot! Developers
cannot innovate our devotion
nor can Engineers calculate our
dedication. She argues that
Government
cannot
legislate
it;
Judges cannot adjudicate it;
Lawyers
cannot
litigate
it;
Manufactures cannot fabricate it;
Politicians cannot appropriate
it; Scientist cannot formulate it;
Technicians cannot generate it;
but only we can orchestrate it.
I think that that is a powerful note to end on this morning and to invite the people of Tobago to lend themselves towards realizing their creative and productive capacities, because we are in fact the ones for whom we have been waiting.
Madam Presiding Officer, the time has come for us to recognize with less we have to engender a spirit or moral clarity; that we have to imbibe the attributes of goodness and that we have to demonstrate the values requisite towards altruism.
Madam Presiding Officer, the time has come for us to continue on the noble part of expressing confidence in the dignity and the mobility of the human spirit. But more importantly than that Madam Presiding Officer, the time has come for all of us as Tobagonians to be dedicated to the most noble task which is the uplift of the human mind and spirit beginning with our very own.
I thank you. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Secretary of Settlements, Urban
Renewal and Public Utilities.
SECRETARY OF SETTLEMENTS,
URBAN
RENEWAL AND
PUBLIC UTILITIES [Hon. Clarence Jacob]: [Desk thumping] Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. I am very grateful to be in this Honourable House speaking for the first time, and I have never gotten the opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment.
I want to also extend congratulations to my Chief Secretary, who is the Leader of this Administration and I know for sure that this Administration will do very well.
Madam Presiding Officer, the mandate of the Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities is not an easy task. As a professional who is driven by entrepreneurial spirit, I am attempting to in-calculate the similar mindset among my staff in the Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities. With regards to their approach, reference to their mindset, their innovation, their customer service and their continuous growth. My background in community work and my life experience has permit me to view the task with empathy recognizing that our work goes beyond public policy. Our job is to deliver service that caters for essential basic human needs of our people.
The Division of Settlements is in the business of providing shelters to families, spaces where Tobagonians can raise their children and call a place their home.
This Administration foresight the Establishment of Urban
Renewal is telling that it speaks to the vision to transform public space in Tobago that are critical economic hubs for the island. The transfer of Public Utilities to the Division of which we have regulatory oversight allows cohesion of key agencies that help our lives as Tobagonians. [Interruption]
MR. W. DUKE: Madam Presiding Officer, on a point of order. Standing Orders 42, sub section 6, states: “Except with leave of the Presiding Officer, a member shall not read his speech but he may read extracts from written or printed papers or books in support of his argument�.
We refresh his memory by reference of these notes. I was not aware that the Member got your permission to read his speech.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Thank you Minority Leader. You do have my permission. It is your maiden speech. Please go ahead. [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, I am just warming up [Laughter] but I realize that people are uncomfortable. I do not know if the Minority bench
has my speech there but I will continue because I am focused to deliver and maintain order in this honourable House. [Desk thumping] The Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities has a lot of issues that are beneficial to the development of Tobago. We have a lot of grants. We have the Home Improvement Grant which is extended beyond just the Western end but it is extended throughout Tobago inclusive of the windward area, northside and the western part of Tobago. The Department of Settlement which I am the head of since I came into that Division, Madam Presiding Officer, I started to build values within my staff and in doing so, my staff cooperated happily. You have to build a love around them so they could work with you.
And in doing so, we were
being able to deliver these Grants successfully. I am going to explain in this Honourable House the type of Grants we have:  We have the Home Improvement Grant which is a fifteen thousand dollar ($15,000.00) Grant.
We have it in two (2) tranches. We have it seven thousand, five hundred dollars ($7,500.00) in the first tranche and in the second tranche we have another seven thousand, five hundred dollars ($7,500.00).
These Grants are to assist persons with renovation to their homes for example, windows, doors etcetera because some of the homes when I was doing some of my walkabouts, some of these homes need a bit of care and attention and I am so happy to know that my Division would be able to extend such help. We also have:  The Home Improvement Grant which is the HIG.
This is a non-repayable Grant. All of the Grants that I am speaking about are non-repayable.
This Grant is a twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00)
Grant. Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) non-repayable. So we in this Administration are seeking to ease the stress and ease the pain with regards to better living standards and better home quality. We also have the:  HIS Grant which is a twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) Grant which is non-repayable.
All Grants we are dealing with now are non-repayable. I am saying, this Administration has a good foresight, a brilliant foresight and I am so happy that my Chief Secretary always communicate with me making sure that these Grants are executed to the best of our ability. Madam Presiding Officer, with these Grants you know up in the Windward area we had some deliveries that we have done and the people
were so happy even on the northern side of Tobago, they were so happy repairing their windows, repairing their steps, their doors etcetera. We also have:  A Home Completion Grant. The Home Completion Grant is a non-repayable Grant again as I reiterate. It is intended to assist persons who are constructing their new homes. This Grant is a twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) Grant again. I must say, this Division every day we are receiving persons trying to assist them, doing our best trying to make sure that these Grants are being executed. We have the:  BOL Subsidy. Based on your income it have to be within a range of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) for the entire family. So once your family is bringing in fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) per month you know you can access this Grant, the BOL Grant. It is a Grant to assist you if you have your land deed or you have a Deed of Gift you can apply through the Division to access these Grants. It is a thirty-five thousand to fifty thousand dollars ($35,000 - $50,000) Grant non-repayable. I am saying, in my Division when I came there I was so astonished to know, we used to hear before that the Administration is not doing nothing for Tobago and the Administration is not working. But when I came and I saw the amount of monies that were spent to assist Tobagonians to upgrade
their living standard, I am saying, I am not to follow no propaganda at all. There are many persons who you know, want to mislead Tobago by spreading propaganda, misleading Tobago by saying, this Administration is not a working Administration but I want to lay it out live and direct. Over the Fiscal 2016/2017 we have spent thirteen million, eight thousand dollars ($13,800,000) in Grants. And I am going to identify them: Home Improvement Grants – we spent four million, four hundred and seventy thousand dollars ($4,470,000.00);
Home Construction Subsidy – we spent nine hundred and ninety thousand dollars ($990,000.00)
Home Improvement Subsidy – we spent six hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($620,000.00);
Home Completion Programme – One million, four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($1,425,000.00); and
The Beneficiary Owned Land – three million, one hundred and eighty-five thousand, five hundred dollars ($3,185,500.00).
That is something I am proud of. [Desk thumping] The provision of homes in Tobago – we are engulfed in an economical circumstance now and despite the challenges that we might face, I am
determine to make sure that the delivery of homes are on time and are of a great quality. Not a good quality, great quality. The Division has embraced this strategy and to date, the Department has distributed one thousand, two hundred and thirty-two (1,232) units. That is performance! [Desk thumping] So, people speaking that things are not happening, things are happening in Tobago but you have to make yourself available and avail yourself to the Grants that are available to you. The Grants are for everyone.
But if you do not apply yourself to receive, we
would not bring it for you. But in this Division I will try to encourage Tobago at large, come into the Division, ask questions, apply and try to get the same benefits that the others are receiving. Currently, we are engulfed with a lot of applications with regards to the Grants and I want to explain to you all – Grants and Housing. When persons come into the Division they always want to see the Secretary, and when they see the Secretary is satisfaction, satisfaction to the max. Now we have seven thousand, five hundred (7,500) persons awaiting homes, we know in this economical situation we cannot provide seven thousand, five hundred (7,500) homes. That is why we dovetailed repairs to homes, construction to homes BOL, you can add on, on your mother’s house, you could put on a downstairs on your mother’s house so you can come in and apply because I know with this figure, seven thousand, five hundred (7,500), we in this fiscal year or in our four (4) year tenure we will not be
able to provide it. We are not Rocket Scientist and we are not here to mislead anyone. I am proposing to do at least four hundred (400) houses in this Fiscal year through the PPP Procedure (Private Public Partnership) where we will partnership with local businessmen building these houses at an affordable rate where Tobagonians can apply and gain from our development. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to speak about the ongoing Programmes that I have in my Division.
My Division is the smallest
Division in the THA, we have just about one hundred and twenty (120) persons working in my Division and I am proud to say that I have good control over my Division, I am seeing the people in my Division and be able to converse with the people in my Division. So I have a firsthand. When I am speaking I am not speaking from book or I am reading, I speaking from correct information, from the feedback on the ground, from my staff bringing information to me. So I am here not to mislead this population with any information today. Before I go further, I want to congratulate my team who sat with me, putting this whole presentation together, my technocrats, my Advisor, and all those who contributed with information to my presentation.
We have some
developments going on, and I want to start by speaking about the Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades that we are undertaking.
In this Fiscal 2017/2018, the Department embarked on a Waste Water Treatment Plant to refurbish those Plants. I will name the areas:
Blenheim; Castara; and Roxborough
Why we have to refurbish these Plants because of the deterioration over the years. You know water have a way of deteriorating steel. When I went on my site visit at:
Roxborough; Buccoo; Blenheim.
I saw that there was great need to do some upgrades to these facilities. So soon coming and in the process, we are doing some upgrades to our Sewer Treatment Plant because we know the quality of water is very essential to our healthy living. So we would do some:
Power washing; Replacement of pumps; Replacements of taps; Some electrical works etcetera.
Madam Presiding Officer, in this Fiscal 2017/2018, the cry is, “no money�. The cry is pressure! Under this pressure, we have to work with what we have. When we are seated discussing the affairs of Tobago, I always mention, Tobago business is not a joke. It is serious business. We are small, but we are powerful. We have to recognize that everything we say and everything that we do could be destructive, or it could be positive for growth. So we have to be careful when we speak in this Honourable House sometimes and misleading the population. We must speak truth from our hearts because we took an oath that we will deal with the affairs in the best way possible.
We have some upgrades going on at the Milford Court Plaza where we had some power washing going on, we had the refurbishment of one of the buildings where maybe in a month and a half, the Minister of Tourism would occupy that building. I am so proud to know that we are here in the business dovetailing our energies making sure that we work together to build Tobago and making our country a better place.
We also have on record Madam Presiding Officer, sixty-two (62) twobedroom town houses that we have delivered in Fiscal 2016/2017. From those sixty-two (62), persons are comfortable. We have minimal complaints. We have an additional sixteen (16) two-bedroom to deliver and we have another sixteen (16) three bedroom to deliver. I can assure you Madam Presiding Officer, before the end of this year, not the end of fiscal
2017/2018, but the end of this year, all those two-bedrooms and three bedrooms homes will be available for families to enjoy for this Christmas period. I am saying we are on a delivery process, despite the problems. We will finish and we will go further as the Chief Secretary always reiterate. Madam Presiding Officer, we are in the process of finalizing some works at the Courland Land Development where we have one hundred and thirteen (113) plots which were delivered and at this time we are upgrading the roads, laying the pipelines doing all the civil works. So, within a six (6) month period, these plots of land would be available for the persons who were selected for such.
Shirvan Housing Development: This is a new proposed project that we are looking to embark. Survey works for the development of sixty (60) acres of land for Shirvan Development has been completed.
The
development will see the construction of approximately two hundred and fifty (250) homes with the construction of a Police Station. The Police Station at this time is under construction. I want to congratulate the Division for cooperating with the Ministry of National Security in executing a Police Station and making the Western end a bit safer for tourist and for the citizens who resides in that area. The Shirvan area: We are proposing to do a PPP Procedure trying to engage our local contractors, maybe local regional international contractors to be a part of this project. In this economical times, the Assembly would not be able to fully finance all these projects. I am publicly saying the Shirvan Project will be a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Procedure and we will be happy to have persons coming in to be a part of this whole project.
Friendship Land Development:
Friendship Land Development
Madam Presiding Officer, is a development that we have our eyes on. We are looking to develop those lands, do all the civil works and have them as service lots, where persons can construct their own homes to their own style and figure, but we would be able to provide structures or drawings for them, so that they can follow. We are looking to execute this Project in Fiscal 2019/2020, and I have no doubt in my mind we would not be able to finish. This Housing Project will enhance the area, also when that project is finish the Western end of Tobago would be engulfed with a new look, will be engulfed with a new energy. I will be happy to be in this seat making sure that those lots are being delivered within that period of time.
Madam Presiding Officer, the Honourable Kelvin Charles in his wisdom has initiated Urban Renewal; I now turn my focus to Urban Renewal Department. Crucial to the success of Tobago sustainability, it is capital and our urban centered. These places stimulate economy, instill sense of pride; reduce crime and help current businesses and attract new ones. Like all Tobagonians I am proud of my natural resources, I am proud of our unique history, I am proud of our culture and of our arts, and our heritage, and we are indeed proud of our island, and I am proud of my island from country to town. [Laughter] [Desk thumping] However, the Urban Renewal Division has earmarked an insight on a facelifting of Tobago, a
facelifting of buildings that were deteriorated for example: the Old Fire Station at Roxborough; we also incorporated the Boardwalk in Scarborough.
We also incorporated the Board Walk in Scarborough. When I watch at my Chief Secretary you know, (Urban Renewal is an energy, a new drive, something that you want to make new) with that initiative my Chief Secretary is looking younger and younger and younger. [Laughter] Apparently the Urban Renewal was in his system and he had executed it on the outward. [Laughter] Madam Presiding Officer, the Urban Renewal we have earmarked: Roxborough; Canaan/Bon Accord; and Crown Point.
Madam
Presiding
Officer,
additionally,
the
Urban
Renewal
Department will seek to further develop Tobago by looking at potential Urban Centres in Tobago. With consultations, the intention is to strengthen the existing community while also guiding the potential for future development and expansion of our village. Roxborough is in my heart, Roxborough is my mind and my daughter is also from Roxborough. [Laughter] So, Madam Presiding Officer, we are working tediously making sure that the enhancement, the upliftment because if we are speaking about clean, green safe and serene we have to talk Urban Renewal. We have to talk a different language if we are speaking about safe and serene, we have to talk
tourism impacting tourism. So we in the Division will make sure that all these projects that we are highlighting we will execute within this four (4) years that we are in office. By extension after the four (4) we will do four (4) more years of Urban Renewal and by extension we will go four (4) more [Desk thumping] and by extension we will go four (4) more making Tobago a better place. Madam Presiding Officer, Roxborough again, with wide consultations we have some developments that we are intending to do in this Fiscal 2017/2018. I would highlight some of them:
Drainage and Infrastructure; Waste Disposal; Transportation; Agriculture revitalization of cocoa sector on the agriculture lands; Historic cultural preservation.
Within the historical cultural preservation this is an attempt to preserve and harness the tourism potential for the cultural elements within the village. Hence the restoration of reinvention of historic sites can be a new element to tourism branding creating a unique offering to Roxborough. I want to say, Roxborough is a Town. We want to create Roxborough as a Town and persons would be able to embrace Roxborough as a place where we can live and where we can enjoy. But one thing we would not put in Roxborough and I do not think there is room for that in Roxborough where persons have misled persons is an Airport. [Laughter] [Desk
thumping] There is no way an Airport can fit into Roxborough, but I know revitalization and restoring of old buildings can happen in Roxborough. Within the Canaan/Bon Accord district, we are working to enhance the ANR International Airport and as I would say again, thinking about Canaan/Bon Accord I am so proud to know that that is my home town, that is my home ground.
So when I speak about Canaan/Bon Accord I speak
with a passion, I speak with a love, I speak from my heart. We are looking to uplift the No Man's Land area. We are looking to take more care and show more love to the Buccoo Reef and to the Nylon Pool and despite the rapid growth in Canaan/Bon Accord, Madam Presiding Officer, we are engulfed with some difficulties that I am seeing but I know within this Administration and the help of my colleagues we will be able to resolve some of those difficulties. Tourism - the use of competitive advantage of location, beauty whether by diversity and underwater resources in the development promotion of Tobago tourism product. Those are some of the ideas I want to bring to the table. Madam Presiding Officer, Urban Renewal is not an easy job, it is not an easy task. We have to go around Tobago, we have to identify areas, we have to make sure we have our technocrats to make sure that they can bring the ideas to restore that look on some of the buildings. Madam Presiding Officer, for example, going up Burnette Street, we had to destroy some of those buildings because it brought a kind of depreciation to the Scarborough
area. I am speaking about where the Master Cobbler on that area. We had to destroy those buildings to bring - and when I pass through Scarborough now I feel a different energy. I am feeling a lightness, despite the congestion I am feeling a lightness. Those buildings were bringing a kind of downgrade to the Scarborough area. But me being in this seat I will make sure within my long-term tenure I will make sure that all those projects are being executed. Madam Presiding Officer, I wish to draw to your attention now to Public Utilities. The Division has regulatory oversight for Tobago - Public Utilities Agencies and I wish to highlight some of the main achievement in Fiscal 2016/2017. The Water and Sewerage Authority we have some pipe laying projects that we are currently executing and there is a pipe laying project which is being executed in the Western end of Tobago where we will be taking all the sewer from those big buildings and carrying it into the Samaan Grove area where it will be treated. So at this point, the Division is merging with Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to make sure that we seek and we identify the problems that are affecting. The reason why WASA (Water and Sewerage Authority) is doing that in conversation, there was a bleaching of the corals and you know many persons were saying it was climate change, they were saying all of kinds of things but I am saying one of the contributors to the damaging of the Buccoo Reef and the polluting of the Nylon Pool is poor sewerage management.
So, I am happy to be a part of the team having a full insight on the operations that are taking place. I want to say that WASA has been spending a lot of money, WASA have been doing a lot of works despite people might complain that there is a need for more water and Desalination Plant but I want to say, I want to itemize some of the pipe layings:
Breeze Hall; Delaford; Grandoolly Gully (that is in Goodwood); Douglas Street Hope; Hope Trace; Windward Road; Hope Village; Mt. St. George; Saw Mill Road, Mt. St. George; Castara Road, Mt. St. George; No.1 Village Road, Mt. St. George; Bruce Lane - Patience Hill; Sherwood Park Trace; Solomon Trace Shirvan; Hislop Trace; [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Member your speaking time has
ended.
EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion made: That the Hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes [Hon. N. Stewart-Phillips]
Question put and agreed to.
HON. C. JACOB: Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. As I continue with the Pipe Laying Projects: Jamesville Trace, Carnbee; Carnbee Main Road
and you know I can go on and on. But I want to say, we are in the business of upgrade; we are in the business of betterment; we are in the business of making our lives better, we want to be more comfortable in Tobago, and in this position in my hot seat, I am working tediously making sure that these projects are completed on a timely framework and also the quality of work is of a good standard. The Hermitage Gravity Feed: Madam Presiding Officer, in Fiscal 2016/2017, authorities conducted the laying of pipes of two hundred and thirty metres (230 metres) to one hundred millimeter (100mm) 4” PVC Service Line to Hermitage Gravity Feed System. We have also identified eight (8) Wells in Tobago. We have the Well Development Programme, from these eight (8) Wells. We are in the operation of supplementing for the shortfall of water in Tobago. At present we have the: Calder Hall; Mary’s Hill; and Triangle Wood Wells
that we would be sourcing water. So, we looking to increase the flow of water, we are increasing the supply of water in Tobago, and these are the three (3) Wells that we started our operations. I know in the future we will be able to operate on all those Wells, but due to financial constraints, we have to take it one day at a time. One step at a time.
Telecommunication: The Trinidad and Tobago Telecommunication Service is our only national full Tele Communication and Service Provider that delivers Quinn Play Service to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago through its commercial brand, B Mobile. These Services includes: Voice; Internet; Cable TV; Security System; and Mobile. Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has been working extensively trying to make sure that Tobago is being on an agenda of good communication; good service and at present we have a Data Project Centre, looking ahead at 2017/2018. A joint venture was signed between Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) and the Eco Industrial Development Company of Tobago to establish the island’s first Data Centre. So, TSTT they are looking for ways and means to enhance our levels of communication. The Data Centre would be located at the Cove
Industrial Estate. This Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure represents investments of approximately thirty-six million dollars ($36m.) which will assist in the economic transformation and development of Tobago.
Now, B Mobile has always partnered with us,
partnered not only with the Tobago House of Assembly, but with private sectors trying to make sure that the service of communication is well maintained. Mobile Site Upgrade: We have some mobile site upgrades that B Mobile has undertaken. We have upgrades at: Shaw Park; Scarborough; Pigeon Point; Mt. Pleasant; Charlotteville; Plymouth; and Crown Point
So, I am saying in 2017/2018, B Mobile has a series of projects. It aims to embark on in Tobago due to the competitive nature of this sector, TSTT is unable to divulge full details.
I am saying once there are
competition, it increases your demand to do better. With all these communication networks, we have B mobile, Digicel, in conversation they are working tediously to the best, but in the same breadth better serve the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Public Service Transport Corporation (PTSC):
Madam Presiding
Officer, we are working together to increase the Transport System in Tobago. I was in a meeting last two (2) weeks where PTSC has embarked and signed off fifteen (15) new buses for Tobago in Fiscal 2017/2018 and I know for sure that will assists us in a very excellent way with regards to transportation.
Also, we have bought two (2) buses for the L’Anse Fourmi area where Mr. Farley Augustine was present on that first voyage to L’Anse Fourmi. So, I am saying that the Division has a lot of work to do and in my seat I will make sure that delivery is my priority.
So again, thank you Madam Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to speak in this Honourable House and may God richly bless you. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary, Division of Education Innovation and Energy Assemblyman Marisha Osmond. ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, DIVISION OF EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND ENERGY [Ms. M. Osmond]: [Desk thumping] Thank you very Madam Presiding Officer and of course, good evening in the people in the gallery. We are getting close to what we call Yuletide Season and I want to take this
opportunity, on behalf of the residents of my Electoral District, and of course on my own behalf to extend Season’s Greetings to all of Tobago and of course to you Madam Presiding Officer.
Madam Presiding Officer, this is my first contribution to any Budget debate, and I am truly happy to stand in this forum to add my piece to the archives of this Honourable House. As I go further into my presentation Madam Presiding Officer, I would like to thank of course, our Administrator at the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy, the Principals and the Teachers, all our Educators, our parents and all the stakeholders in this business of education. It is because of their commitment to task, it is because of their drive and their passion and their resolve that the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy was able to meet the task, was able to execute its plans and overcome the challenges of Fiscal year 2016/2017.
I also at this time wish to thank the residents of my Electoral District for of course allowing me the opportunity to serve and of course for being part of this House. Madam Presiding Officer, the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy has a lot to celebrate. For in Fiscal Year 2016/2017 there were many success stories. However, the Division under the stewardship of the Chief Secretary and Secretary of the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy understands more than ever that there is much more to do.
This Budget, Ladies and Gentlemen, Madam Presiding Officer, marks the dawn of a new Fiscal Year and new things for us at the Division. In Fiscal Year 2017/2018 we are committed at the Division to working hard at enhancing our delivery to the people of Tobago.
We are working to
strengthen our alliances with all stakeholders and of course, we are going to explore and develop innovative ways to unleash the creative and productive capacities of our children, our employees and of course, the people of Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, I wish to reassure all that in this time of less in Fiscal Year 2017/2018 a period in which as an Administration we are mandated to “do more with less” the commitment to deliver to the people of Tobago still remains the same.
Madam Presiding Officer, I now speak to the achievements of the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy. We are proud to report that we have had the upgrade of four (4) Secondary Schools on the island:
Signal Hill Government Primary; Whim Anglican Primary; Hope Anglican; and Patience Hill Government.
The July/August School Repair Programme which saw the upkeep to forty-two (42) schools was completed in time and within budget for the opening of school in September. We are proud to report that in nine (9) Primary Schools we have CCTV Cameras and of course, as I continue Madam Presiding Officer, there has been strengthening of the Teachers/Student Support Programme through training of our Teachers and also our Principals. Madam Presiding Officer, Instructional Coaches were introduced to Primary Schools with the focus on Literacy and Numeracy. Madam Presiding Officer, five (5) new Curriculum Officers were hired to strengthen the Curriculum Unit at the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy. We also rolled out the SEA Vacation Enrichment Programme and a Programme called, "Leading for Literacy." We also are in the process of establishing a Teachers Development Centre at Mardon House. Madam Presiding Officer, we understand more than ever that education must be a drive of human, social and economic development. To achieve this, a Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is currently being developed and discussed in collaboration with persons or interested parties.
Madam Presiding Officer, at the Division, the annual Pan and Music Camp was conducted with success. There was the engagement of eighteen (18) Steelpan Music Instructors. There were psycho-social assessments of the students who scored under thirty percent (30%) in the SEA Examination of 2017. There was also the introduction of a Programme called, "Group Grief Therapy" where young people can engage in discussion about problems that affect them. At the Division we collected data, we held Career Fairs, we had caravans, we gave financial assistance to students that needed it. We worked with external agencies to measure the Body Mass Index of our students and also to have the meals that we provide to them evaluated. The students were engaged in sporting activities through the sports in the Education Unit at the Division. The Library Services continue to shine with programmes such as:
Computer Literacy to our Seniors; Literacy Day; Chess; Scrabble; Book Clubs; Story telling;
and of course, they have a Programme for young people called, "Developing the whole me." In keeping with the national policy to upgrade the National Energy Skills Centre in May of this year, our Chief Secretary journeyed to Goldsborough to move the curtains and reveal the plaque to open the new Centre at Goldsborough. I am pleased to say, last week I was privileged to attend the first Graduation Ceremony out of this new Centre. Madam Presiding Officer, as an Administration, that knows about governance our manifesto says and declares that Every Time that we are in Government we have Consistently Worked to Safeguard and Advance the Rights of our Citizens and of course, to Advance their Well-being. As an Administration, we are committed to doing what it takes. We are committed to taking this island and its human capital further. The financial setbacks of course, you know are nationwide so it is no secret that we have to “do more with less.� The Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Statutory Bodies and similar Bodies of the Tobago House of Assembly outlines in details where these limitations fall and of course, for us at the Division, that is our Bible for the next Fiscal Year 2017/2018. We understand at the Division our role and recognize that if successes are to continually be made at the Division, there must be a shift of course in the paradigm. There must be a movement to the minds and thinking of the
citizens and of course, of our employees at the Division. There must be a redesigning of course of our education system and there must be alliances with the various Divisions and all relevant stakeholders in this business of education must work together. The 2018 policy measures recommended by the Executive Council are outlined in this document [Indicating] called, "Public Sector Investment." The Administration at the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy eagerly awaits the policies, programmes and experiences in this Fiscal Year to unfold. We look to the future eagerly, we look forward, Madam Presiding Officer to the completion of the Scarborough RC School, we look forward to programmes, we look forward to the implementation of phase 11 of what we call the "Seemless Education System Project" We also look forward Madam Request to Accept the Policy Measures Presiding Officer, in this new Fiscal Year to improvements to our more primary schools and our secondary schools. We look forward to Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening and of course, if I can refer to the Public Sector Investment Programme for Tobago - 2018 which outlines our policies. This Fiscal Year, we can also look forward to skills development and training and I speak here about upgrades to the Roxborough Trade Centre. I can continue - we look forward to Special Education Programmes and we are saying we are looking forward to improvements of the facilities at Happy Haven.
In Fiscal Year 2017/2018, the Division will embark on improving security to our secondary schools by providing the installation of surveillance and monitoring equipments. Madam Presiding Officer, all the policies are laid out here in this document [Indicating] and I am pleased to say at the Division we are looking forward to having them come to fruition. Madam Presiding Officer, I am not very long but what I will like to say, as we look at the Motion, the Motion begs of us to take action simply, it begs of us to encourage all Tobagonians to maximize productivity - it is important. It begs of us to practice service excellence and to contribute to the economic resilience as we seek to restore Tobago to a path of sustained economic growth. I encourage all, even those on the Minority to support this Motion. Madam Presiding Officer, this PNM-led Tobago House of Assembly continues to develop and continues to improve and modernize the existing infrastructures on this Island of Tobago to ensure that we provide our young people, boys and girls the best education possible from Pre-school to University level. We at the Division look forward to the next year, we look forward to the next sixteen (16) years after that, we look forward to the masses saying to all of us, "This is our Administration in whom we are well pleased." Thank you. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, Assemblyman Sheldon Cunningham. [Desk thumping] ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
IN
THE
DIVISION
OF
INFRASTRUCTURE, QUARRIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (Mr. Sheldon Cunningham): Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer, as I rise to my feet for the first time in this term, let me congratulate you and at the same time wish you all the best. Madam Presiding Officer, I think the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment are task with two able-bodied young men. I think when you look at Councillor Des Vignes and myself we are task with a huge responsibility of the entire island.
I am going to take a look at Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) for this afternoon, because URP, as you all know, is really an Unemployment Relief Programme. For those who do not understand that, it is a short-term measure. A lot of time people spend their time feeling that URP is supposed to be permanent and we are going to look at it. When I look at the vision of what URP is all about, “To be a Principle Instrument for Empowering People
through
Enhancement�. statement.
Providing
Employment
That speaks for itself.
Opportunities
and
Skill
Then I looked at the mission
I remember yesterday Mr. Des Vignes and I were looking and reminiscing on the meeting that we had before in terms of what is the mission of URP. In the last four (4) years, we see this Administration trying to figure out what really URP is all about? We have gone into a Division and seeing Maintenance Development and URP.
Some people was
askingthe question, how do you identify a URP Project, a Development Project and a Maintenance Project?
But Madam Presiding Officer, let me
hasten to say, the mission is to provide short-term employment while enhancing the skills of individuals in communities through training to achieve an improved quality of life while contributing economically and socially by developing and improving the physical infrastructure. Madam Presiding Officer, and this speaks to itself. This clearly let us understand the function role and the mission of URP.
Then we have placed URP in
different areas. The core functions are:
(1)
A Women’s Programme;
(2)
The Concrete Projects; and
(3)
The Agricultural component of URP.
Within the District, we have taken the East District from Bacolet to Charlotteville, North District from Rockley Vale to L’Anse Fourmi; West District, Scarborough to Canaan. especially Furniture Workshop.
We have clearly looked at all the areas,
The Furniture Workshop has been producing: Beds; Doors; Office furniture; Cupboards; School furniture
The Unemployment Programme (URP) once was providing all those benches that I know many of us at my age, (I cannot speak to the older ones before) sat around at schools. We were able to use those benches, where we have moved away from that where we were importing, and then we were able to repair those benches. We are saying, it is time for us to go back to what the core function of URP. We have the equipment and we have the skilled workers ready to do the work. So we need to revisit it, and that is where we are going.
The concrete production, we were doing: benches; tables; poles; slabs;
even for the birds to bathe in.
We were creating those bowls for those birds to take their bath, see how important it is.
Wash tubs; and even our Creative flower pots we have been selling to institutions.
When you look at the Hotel Industry, you look at the Schools you are seeing those products of URP. So the URP has continued to do their work.
Agriculture: We have seen the Nursery at Roxborough, for some reason Roxborough seems to be highlighted in this debate, so I think that Roxborough should be proud that the Division is doing work in that area. We take a bow. [Laughter] We also looked at other areas at the Cocoa Industry, where you see the Roxborough area had some cocoa where they were pruning and cleaning. We need to also look at that again.
Let us just go back to the Women’s Programme, where we have these women in the schools, thirty-nine (39) of them, Primary and in the Nursery School, where they are taking care of our children before the teachers even meet to school, even cleaning up after, at lunch time, URP workers have been doing that. Madam Presiding Officer, it is really clear that URP needs to go someplace different to where it is now, because somewhere along the lines we have lost exactly what the core function of URP supposed to be. When
you look at last year Fiscal 2016/2017 URP was allocated a sum of twenty million dollars ($20m.) and at the end of 2017 Fiscal spend over fifty-six million dollars ($56m.). This year’s allocation was given eighteen million dollars ($18m.) and it is projected most likely URP would spend forty-eight million dollars ($48m.). All in that with a working force of over one thousand, seven hundred (1,700) workers. That Programme is a programme that we are now looking to now restructure, reorganize and refocus.
Madam Presiding Officer, let me hasten to say, within the period December 21st, 2017 to January 31st, 2018, we will be undertaking, and I must say we have proposed to my Honourable Secretary who will take it to Executive Council, we are proposing that period to do some training and also to look at the whole component and policies that govern URP and the way forward for URP. So hence the reason we have already set up a meeting for next Tuesday morning where a team will meet chaired by yours truly, to look at where URP supposed to be going; look at what is really happening to URP and how can we really and truly benefit with productivity ensuring that we get value for the monies spent. You have to understand, we are given only eighteen million dollars ($18m.) but we are projecting to spend fortyeight million dollars ($48m.). We must be in a position to account for that forty-eight million dollars ($48m.) we are spending on URP to see that we get our value worth.
So, I am saying that we have to do some real
strategizing, we have to come up with creative policies we gonna tweet those we already have in moving forward. I think with that we will be able to realize exactly where URP is going.
So, we are looking after that whole training session and meeting, we should now be looking at “changing through training�. In other words, we are training our employees, we are equipping our employees with the necessary tools that they can produce more, with less. When you think that you have one thousand, seven hundred (1,700) workers, and you are going out there to put them to task without the necessary skill and understanding, so we will focus exactly on what are the core function and at the end of that period between the December 21st, 2017 to the January 30th, 2018 we should be telling the House clearly, what are the policies that are going to drive URP for the next Fiscal. I think that is where we are presently. Those are some of the things that we are hoping to achieve. I want to make it clear at the end of that period, there are going to be re-registering our one thousand, seven hundred (1700) workers. We are going to look at the function; we are looking at those workers in terms of their skills, and how do we place them in order to go forward.
Madam Presiding Officer, I am very comfortable, I am very comforted, by the way in which we have taken this thing. When you look back in the last term and you have seen where efforts were made to really put URP or have some sort of policy directives in URP. We did not discard all those information, we have pull all together and moving forward in order to understand where we go from here. It is my hope that we can move productivity, we can have growth and development through URP.
We have seen many things that the Furniture Shop has been doing. We have seen the pottery in terms of those flowers pots, we have seen all those things out there. We have seen the social aspect of URP when you have families or persons who are unable to purchase for example coffin, maybe we start to put in our orders, but we have been looking at assisting in building these to assist the less fortunate, URP has been doing that.
I could even testify before even getting into politics, my Wardrobe and TV Stand was built by URP. So, I am a product of URP. [Laughter] I have seen it and I see it can work. I am happy to still have those furniture in my home almost in 2010 actually did, I got those and they are still functioning and looking good. I have not polished them over or nothing. The only problem that I see is that the material needs to be properly treated because I see where termite start eating, so we know that for a fact. All these things we have taken on board to ensure that we move in the right direction. Madam Presiding Officer, let me thank you for the opportunity as I always make mention, I prefer to make my action speak more than my words and after we see and we put all our plans together and we come back and report and then we test it and see where we are going. I think fruits are going to bear henceforth. So let me really and truly thank the Secretary for his astute leadership in the Division and also to the Administrators who have passed through the Division and the present Administrator, even the staff and to my own Personal Assistant, Mr. Lawrence who have been from time to time, assisting and pulling. Let me thank all the workers because I will almost say
one thing, the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Environment have innovative and skilled workers who can do the job and is up to do the job. Madam Presiding Officer, I thank you. [Desk thumping] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Councillor Dr. Faith B. Yisrael.
[Desk thumping] COUNCILLOR DR. FAITH B. YISRAEL (Minority Councillor): Good afternoon, Madam Presiding Officer, good afternoon to the Members of the House, good afternoon to those viewing in our gallery. I will like to take my time today to discuss two (2) main issues and I promise I will not be long because we are less than half way through I think the number of speakers for the day. So I would not be long and I will also take my time in doing it because I really want to ensure that those who are coming to speak after us particularly the Secretary with responsibility for Finance and the Chief Secretary, really understand the questions and the concerns that I have and that they can address them at the end. Madam Presiding Officer, last month when we came to this House, those of us on the Minority I thought we were very clear in what we needed to have done and I thought we were very clear with why we needed to have it done. We were very clear that we thought and the average Tobagonian thinks that if you have a budget for five billion dollars ($5b.) and you have only been given two billion dollars then it is very difficult to make two billion dollars (2b.) do what five (5) is supposed to do.
What we really
should have taken the time to do today, is rework it and not just look at a
couple priority areas and policy measures and that kind of stuff because that is a difficult thing to do. Madam Presiding Officer, let me remind those who may not have been here the last time, who may have not been spending as much time looking at the numbers to tell you the kind of difficult situation that we are currently in and why we thought it best to just redo a Budget. So, we asked for three point two billion dollars ($3.2b.) for Recurrent Expenses. We got one point eight six billion dollars ($1.86b.). We ask for three point two ($3.2b.). That is a shortfall of over forty-one percent (41%) that is quite a bit. We asked for one point seven billion dollars ($1.7b.) for Capital Development Expenses, we got three hundred and fifteen million dollars ($315m.). That is a shortfall of over eighty-one percent (81%). That is a huge shortfall. We asked for seventy-seven million dollars ($77m.) for URP we got eighteen. Again a big difference. We asked for fifty-four million for Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP), we got none. We understand that there is a eight million dollars ($8m.) for CEPEP in some Ministry in Trinidad. But either way eight million (8m.) is still nowhere close to fifty-four million dollars ($54m.).
This is why we thought it was really, really important to just sit down and think about this all over again. Save yourselves the headache of trying to make two (2) fit where five (5) should have fit. Particularly since you told us, remember when you were budgeting and my Minority Leader said that you were reaching your hand too high. You told us that the Budget that you made for five billion dollars ($5b.) was a well thought out budget and a budget that really expressed what the THA supposed to do for the next year. So if it is a well thought out budget and that what you really, really, really needed was five billion dollars ($5b.) there is no amount of tweaking that could make the two billion dollars ($2b.) that you have now work? So either the budget you made then was a sham and you really know that you really only needed two billion dollars ($2b.) or we are going to go into the next Fiscal Year not knowing our head from our tails and not knowing what exactly we are going to do. Madam Presiding Officer, we also requested some information about revenue because the little that I know about accounting, you have two (2) sides of the table. You have the Income which is how much money comes in and you have the expenditure which is how much money you spend. We seem to always be focusing when we speak about budgeting for the Tobago House of Assembly. We seem to be always be focusing on the expenditure part. We wanted to take a little bit of time to really, really, really focus on the income part because it is only when a “big man” or “big woman” could tek care of himself that he could really be a big man or a big woman. So we really, really need to ensure that the sign or the impression we are giving is that the
Tobago House of Assembly really is a big man that could take care of itself and we do not just go begging for money. So we asked to tell us more about the revenue part. And that is the first point I want to make. Madam Presiding Officer, if you look at this book [Indicating] it is the Tobago House of Assembly Financial Statement for the Financial Year ended September 30th, 2016. On page 10 where it says, "Investments," where we spoke very highly about investments in subsidies. "The THA has invested in several special purpose entities.� It says. These include investments in and I will read them out because I do not remember them all. I am reading from a particular document. It says: (1)
The Eco-industrial Development Company of Tobago Limited;
(2)
Tobago House of Assembly Venture Capital Equity Fund Company Limited;
(3)
The infamous Tobago Cassava Products Limited;
(4)
The Fish Processing Company of Tobago Limited;
That is the one with the boat that we are not sure where the boat is. (5)
The Milford Road Esplanade Limited;
(6)
The Tobago Information Technology Limited;
(7)
The Tobago Cold Storage and Warehouse Facility Limited;
(8)
The Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute;
(9)
The Pigeon Point Heritage Park Company Limited; and
(10) The Tobago Project Development Authority. Actually, that one I am not even sure that I have heard of that one before. But it was listed at the end of 2016 as one of the Special Purpose Companies that we invested in. Now, the document did not say exactly how much money we invested in any of these companies. So I had to go and kind of go through the whole documents and look at numbers, look at votes, look at the individual lines and so forth to see about how much did we actually invest in those ten (10) or so companies and I came up with a rough estimate of about twenty-one million dollars ($21m.). I could be wrong because there are some that do not have the names there, there are some that maybe funded under another name or something, I am not sure. Either way, just from going through it line by line, came up with about twenty-one million dollars ($21m.) Madam Presiding Officer. From the Estimates of the Revenues as it relates to 2016 though, it seems like these Companies made zero dollars. None whatsoever. I could not find those numbers anywhere in the one that says, "Estimate of Revenue." Even though this is for 2018 it usually has included numbers for 2016, 2017 and 2018 so I was able to go back to see exactly what was written for 2016 or what was written for 2017 and we still - the answer is zero. Madam Presiding Officer, when we looked at the Revised Estimates, for 2017 it seems like we spent over thirty-four million dollars ($34m.) for
these same ten (10) or so Companies. Again, when you looked at the revenue part of it the answer seems to be zero. Please correct me if I am wrong, and if the numbers are somewhere else in the book that I do not know where to look for it. In 2018, Madam Presiding Officer, though, it seems like from the Budget that was just read, we would only be investing about twelve million dollars ($12m.) in these Companies. Which you know if you are thinking rationally, if you say well we invested so much before twenty-one million dollars ($21m.) before, we got nothing, thirty four million;. We got nothing! Well maybe a twelve million dollars ($12m.) is not a bad idea because we seem nothing in return from them. I would probably say okay, except though, that when you look at the actual budget request that the Secretary with the responsibility for Finance requested, even though we have only seem to have gotten twelve million dollars ($12m.), what we requested was over one hundred and forty-two million dollars ($142m.) for these ten (10) entities. Now, we see where that is an issue. If what we asked for in a Budget that we claimed is a really really, really good Budget, that was a sound, well developed Budget. If what we asked for was, one hundred and forty-two million dollars ($142m.) and all we seem to be getting is twelve million dollars ($12m.) we could see why we have an issue. You can see why those of us on this side, the Minority Council, said given what we have, let us re-strategized and let us rethink the whole thing, and let us do an entirely new budget. I do not think that that is an unreasonable request, given these kind of shortfalls. This is a shortfall of over ninety-one percent (91%) of what we said we needed. That is a huge shortfall Madam Presiding Officer.
There is no amount of policy measures,
I am sorry. No amount of policy measures whatsoever, could fix that ninety-
one percent (91%) shortfall.
Now, maybe what the PNM Central
Government is doing, is sending a message to the PNM Tobago House of Assembly that unless you can really show where all the money that you are spending going, and unless you can really show that you are getting some kind of really good return for that money we will not continue funding these special purpose Companies. It does not makes sense economically. Maybe that is the message that the Central Government is sending, and possibly the first time, and possibly the last time, those of us on this side in the Minority Council will agree with the PNM Central Government. If that is actually the message that is being sent. But we do not know.
Please note Madam Presiding Officer, that it is very difficult to find any information about the Studley Park Enterprise Limited, I am not sure where it is listed. I am not sure where it is written anywhere, I did understand though that there was a gentleman on Television this morning, and they estimated that about ninety-one million dollars ($91m.) would be made or will be the profit from that entity, which will be great. It would be good though to see where it fits in these documents so that we know okay that is ninety-one million dollars ($91m.) we are getting, and we know how we are spending it.
Now, the other thing about that is we also do not know
how much money we invested in that same Studley Park, Special Purpose Company. So again, later down and I am sure that there are several other people who still need to speak, you can let me know how much we actually invested so that we know that a ninety-one million dollars ($91m.) return per year is a good thing. I do not know. Waiting. Madam Presiding Officer, so that was the first thing, the Special Purpose Companies what we are gaining
from them since we keep spending money on them. What is our revenue stream, where is it really coming from and actual numbers so that we know where we are going?
The second thing I want to talk about very briefly, has to do with the question that I thought I asked last month. It was very obvious that I did not ask the question I thought I asked last month, and the person who I asked the question to made it very clear that I did not ask the question that I thought I asked, but I asked it again this month, and we got the answer this month. The answer was about seventeen million dollars ($17m.) or so, which is fine. Now the thing is though, that because the answer was not given very easily last month, it caused me to think and it caused me to try to figure out what is going on, and it cause me Madam Presiding Officer, to start going through all of the books that we had. I do not like to be wrong. I really do not like to be wrong. I needed to educate myself about the issues relating to the Contingencies Account. Okay! So I went back and I started looking and I started looking and I started realizing that hey we have been given all of these documents every single month. These monthly Reports we get them every single month, although I do not think we got one for this month. So we did not get one this month, that is odd, but we are still waiting. But I went back and Madam Presiding Officer, again I found this book [Demonstrating] I am even not sure when I got this book to be honest, I found this book again, and I started reading through it, word for word. Then I realized that on Page 3 of this very book, that at the bottom of the Page, there is something that says, “Cash at the end of the year�. At the end of 2016, the Cash at the end of the year and I quote exactly is, one hundred
and forty-two million, six hundred and twenty-two thousand, three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($142,622,375.00). That is what is listed in this book as cash at the end of the year as at the September 30 th, 2016. Then I kept reading again to figure out what does that mean. Where does that go, and all of that stuff? I realized on Page 7 of the same book, there was a note that says, “Cash and cash equivalence”, and included in that list which added up to the same one hundred and forty-two million dollars ($142m.) or so, says “Contingencies Account”. Yes, so the number that was provided earlier today about the sixteen million dollars ($16m.) from 2017, is actually the number that is in this book. I was wondering though, I was really, really wondering and again Secretary with responsibility for Finance, I was of the opinion that one hundred and forty-two million dollars ($142m.) that was cashed at the end of the year is supposed to be brought forward as what we used to call, “Unspent Balances”. Unspent balances that need to be brought forward and my understanding you know this is the money that Tobagonians used to say we give back to Trinidad. Now, I understand that we do not give it back to Trinidad. But I would like to get a clearer understanding of where that is in the accounting because it seems that I cannot find where that One hundred and forty-two million dollars ($142m.) that was unspent the year before where does that fit at the beginning of this last year that we are talking about?
So, I also thought Madam Presiding Officer, again I could
be wrong and please correct me if I am incorrect, that that money is what we should have been putting into the Contingencies Account, but I do not know. Maybe the Tobago House of Assembly has other accounts where these monies are going to because as the goodly Secretary with responsibility for Finance, let us know today that the Contingencies Account for 2017 that ended in September, 30th 2017, only has about seventeen point five million
dollars ($17.5m.). So I am wondering if we had the one hundred and fortytwo million dollars ($142m.) left over at the end of 2016, and we have been getting our budgeted money and so forth and everything seems to be “honky dory� and fine, and we start it with sixteen million dollars ($16m.) at the beginning there, and we are now only ending with seventeen point five million dollars ($17.5m.) maybe I need to also again be schooled on where that unspent balances go. Again, it is one of those times I really do not mind being incorrect and you would just let me know where it is. Yes.
Madam Presiding Officer, my understanding though of the Contingencies Account, is that we really should be using it for rainy days. We really should be using it when we have some kind of emergency that needs to be taken care of and we need to grab money that we did not budget for and we did not get releases for before. Now because of that, it is actually a little bit concerning that in these monthly reports that we keep getting and I went back and looked at all the ones I saw. The one that I could find that was most recent was the one ending in August I think. Maybe we have gotten others later than that but I could not have found it, I found the one that ended in August.
Madam Presiding Officer, it says that the Executive Council, had approved over one hundred and nine million dollars ($109m.) from the Contingency's Account.
Over one hundred and nine million dollars
($109m.) from the Contingency's Account. Now, maybe there was some I am not sure it was adding up, adding up, adding up and that started with a couple million in January, you add more in February, you add more as the
months come along and in August it was now up to one hundred and nine million dollars ($109m.) that the Executive Council approved. If you compared that to last year for example, at the end of September or so, the Executive Council had approved about ninety million dollars ($90m.) from the Contingency's Account for 2016, the year before. That would have included the entire Fiscal Year from September, October up to September again. While this one, we are already up to one hundred and nine dollars ($109) and that is just from January up to August. Now, the thing, is though, if what we are saying, we are approving the use of the Contingency's Account for some kind of emergency, some kind of thing that happen now and we need to fix it now, we need to deal with it now.
It is quite curious that of the one hundred and nine million dollars
($109m.) that the Executive Council approved we only spent about fiftythree million dollars ($53m.) of that.
So if it really were spent and
committed - again, I am new to these things) if we approved one hundred and nine million (109m.) and we say it is for an emergency it is something that we need to do now but of the one hundred and nine million dollars ($109m.) we only spend fifty-three million (53m.) of that and trying to figure out exactly what were these emergencies that the Executive Council approved that money for because there were releases from the Contingency Account what the other rest of it would be used for? I know we do not sit in Executive Council, I don't, the Members of the Minority do not sit in Executive Council so we have no idea what the discussions are in there but because this is our Contingencies
Account all of us, it would be nice to have a sense of what were the emergencies that we were talking about. Particularly since, Mr. Secretary with responsibility for finance, if we are saying that the Contingency Account at the end of 2016 was sixteen million dollars ($16m.) and at the end of 2017 it is seventeen point five million dollars ($17.5m.) and I do not know whether there are additional accounts or anything like that. I am not sure where the one hundred and nine million dollars ($109m.) would have come from as in being approved from the Contingencies Account. So that is why I am just asking. Are there way more accounts that we do not know about that I do not know about but I do not understand how this works. Particularly since in the policy measures that were outlined at the beginning when person who raised the Motion raised it. He said that they were going to use what is it sixty-six point seven million dollars ($66.7m.) from Contingencies Funds?
Again, if we only have seventeen million
dollars ($17m.) in that account where is the sixty-six point seven million dollars ($66.7m.) going to come from? Madam Presiding Officer, I said I was going to be short and that those were the two (2) main issues that I wanted to highlight. Now why go into those things because we are continually being told we don’t have money, we are continually being told that we have to tighten our belts, we are continually being told that we are comfortable with the four point zero whatever percent
that we got from Central Government because the whole, everywhere is bad, the whole world seems to be bad and we are just a part of the world that is going through an economic thing. But, because of all of those things and because of the history that we have had as Mr. Augustine highlighted in his presentation where we have had so many promises, promises, promises, promises, promises that never actually materialized. Because we had so many of those it is worth us really, really, really, rethinking the Budget. Because as I said before, there is no amount no matter unless you are “Hoodini,” unless you are some Magician, unless you have some kind of magical powers or some kind of money tree somewhere there is no way under God’s son that you can use policy measures and make two billion dollars ($2b.) do what the five billion dollars ($5b.) was supposed to do. Madam Presiding Officer, with that, I would just like to let everyone know that we cannot as Mr. Augustine said last time – “Playing smart with foolishness.” You know he always use the linguist he uses these terms all the time. We cannot continue doing the same thing over and over and over again and expect a different result. What you did here today, and what you are doing here today is exactly what you have been doing for the last how many years and it has not worked.
Tobago deserves better than this.
Madam Presiding Officer,
Tobago deserves better than this and with that, I thank you. [Desk thumping] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Secretary of Health, Wellness and
Family Development, Councillor Dr. Agatha Carrington. [Desk thumping]
SECRETARY
OF
HEALTH,
WELLNESS
DEVELOPMENT (Hon. Dr. Agatha Carrington):
AND
FAMILY
Thank you, Madam
Presiding Officer and thank you to my colleagues on this side and those on the other side. Again, I am pleased to participate in this most important event but before I engage this House in the substantive issue, we continue to discuss that whether or not policy works and whether or not it is a new budget/old budget. Planning is about choice. It is about allowing us to base on different criteria to determine what we do now and what we do later. So we have had the opportunity already and we did not need to be reminded by those on the other side about the need to reprioritize because we recognized the economic environment and that under the Leadership of our Chief Secretary we have been able to reprioritize. The planning process allows us to do that. So most people on the other side could you read and if it was me, I would read Andrew Greene and they are many others from the Harvard Business School but Andrew Greene is out of the University of Leads where I have been to. Just read and understand that planning is dynamic and we have had the opportunity already to be engaged in the planning process because it is sicklical – it does not stop. It is not because we have presented a Budget that we have to come back and be reminded. We know what we have to do and we have done that. Having done that and having determined our priorities, we have been able to translate those new priorities such that we had a sense as to, should we have a five percent (5%) reduction or a ten percent (10%) reduction we can still
work with that. So we did not need to do a new Budget. So if you did not understand that: may I remind you? The other thing that I need to get out of the way is that the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside each time he comes here it sounds like “old talk” because we tend not to be up to date we do not read sufficient and we come and we waste a lot of time. So we have seven ambulances, seven of them, now posted and let me tell you because you do not seem to be living in the place you say you live. [Laughter] Now we have six ambulances bases:
Scarborough Health Centre; Delaford (That is next to the Health Centre) Lowlands; Parlatuvier Health Centre;
If he lives in Parlatuvier. Charlotteville Health Centre; Plymouth next to the Health Centre;
And we have one extra one. Could I invite you to call 639-4444. [Desk thumping] The other thing I want to say to him is that, he spoke about not feeling well and all of that and having to walk. Physical activity is good for health and I encourage you to continue doing that because you have to accept responsibility for your own health. To the issue with the ninety-two (92) years old gentleman who required transport, the number is available. They should have called that. If they did not call, they now know which number
to call. We continue to upgrade our services because we are about service to our population. I needed to just do that before I proceed.
Let me just quickly point to and add to the discourse because we know that our budgetary allocations have been adjusted. We know and we gave a commitment to continue providing service such that Tobago becomes the preferred destination for health care. But let me just put that in some context because it is important that we do that because as I said we have persons who does not engage in the meat of the matter. So, I will be addressing just briefly the problem we have and we indeed had a problem that is why we have to deal with it. The framework within which we are transforming the sector and those areas that we have leveraged, and I point to some areas both in family and in the Health Sector itself because those are the areas that fall within the Division of Health Wellness and Family Development. We indicated in June that we will foster positive development of families, we will enhance our Health Services; we will improve our public health response, and those are the areas we said that we are going to focus on. We are still going to focus on those, the difference is that we have reprioritized. Therefore, we have made some adjustments in terms of those we would do with our consistent with our planning process so that we do those that we can do because that the way the thing works.
Madam Presiding Officer, Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory to the 2030 agenda, is committed to incorporating the sustainable development
goals into a strategy. So, within this context there are some themes that we continue to posit, and those themes would allow for the transformation that we now seek.
So, we speak about putting people first. Again, I am
encouraging those on the other side to read Vision 2030. It is very instructive. We are nurturing our greatest assets and so the health of our population is priority. So, that are some of the areas we will focus on in our critical services.
Indeed, on the last occasion as I am doing now, our
Emergency Room (ER) Services has been improved and continues to improve. The matters with respect to access and raising awareness, all those areas are for attention, and they continue to engage us. In terms of the maintenance of our infrastructure, those are areas that fall to our attention, because in the short and medium term, we intend to improve the delivery of service.
But more than that, in the short and
medium term, we want to encourage our citizens to improve and lead healthier lifestyles. We expect that to happen.
In terms of our Public Health, our environment is important and it is the centre of our development. Therefore in the longer term we expect to have a healthier environment. We look towards our public health professionals as we seek to do that.
In terms of our Family and Social Services Delivery, the management of our existing Social Programmes, we continue to make them much more efficient. So this framework would allow us to improve the areas that we are focusing on.
I will not engage you today in terms of the magnitude of the problem we faced with: Diabetes; Hypertension; Cancers; and Childhood obesity
We know that these are problems that we do have, we know as well that while that is a problem we have seen a decline in infant and child mortality. In fact, we have also seen decline in the incidence of Communicable Diseases.
But at this present time Madam Presiding Officer, we are
responding to the needs of our population and that is to address the matter of Non-communicable Diseases. I need to just tell you what we continue to do… [Interruption]
MR. W. DUKE: On a point of Order… [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Excuse me, two (2) persons cannot be standing at the same time.
MR. W. DUKE: Standing Orders 45,
“Subject to the provision of these standing orders debates upon any motion, bill or assembly law or amendment shall be relevant to such motion, bill, assembly law or amendment and a member shall confine his observation under such subject”. I have been lectured here about a whole report and nothing at all is in regard to this motion. This motion is clear,
“BE IT RESOLVED that this House accept the policy measures recommended by the Executive Council…”
I am yet to hear any policy measures recommended by the Assembly to manage the financial resources of the Tobago House of Assembly for Fiscal 2018 in order to continue to islands developmental thrust… [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Assemblyman Duke, I beg to defer.
Councillor A. Carrington, please continue. [Desk thumping]
HON. DR. A. CARRINGTON: Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. Some of us does not have the breadth and depth of knowledge… [Desk thumping][Laughter] The matter with respect to our adjustment in our financial resources is important to know because what we are doing is continuing on a framework already set. So, there are some areas that do not require additional funding. Why we are able to do much with less, we are continuing some of the services that we have been providing. We are continuing to be more client centered; we are continuing to be much more
efficient. Let me just say as well, that in the context of these areas, let me tell you what actions we have taken; so we have already started addressing the matters with respect to our policies and standard to ensure that we improve service delivery. That is important for us because we need to improve as we go along. We are continuing raising the awareness in terms of adherence to those standards. You may not know the relevance of that on the other side, but it is important for us to do that. It is important as well that we focus on the levels of lifestyle diseases that range from heart disease, to obesity because those are a burden to the public purse. We are continuing our Service Delivery especially in the areas of Mental Outreach because in many areas Mental Health and Wellness continue to challenge us.
In terms of our Men’s Health Initiative, we continue to do that. As recent as last week for International Men’s Day, we had one hundred (100) men. We encourage some of the men on the other side who did not attend, they should have been present to understand the importance of men’s health. We focus on that because, we recognized that our men has not been presenting for care, but presenting when it costing us much more… [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: I know the day is getting a bit long, but I will ask you please to contain yourself Mr. Duke. If you wish to address an issue or gain clarity you can use the Standing Orders, shouting across is not…
MR. W. DUKE: I will.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Thank you.
HON. DR. A. CARRINGTON: Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. We understand the impact of service delivery on our Budget. Therefore, it is important that we address some of these areas we have been doing that, and seeing some results with respect to that.
Let me just quickly also point to some other activities. We know that we have to have a better sense to the disease trends in our population, our Non-communicable Disease (NCD) Registry is up and running and we are trying to pull all the data together because that data is used for planning. Such plan translated into the budget and that is important for us to note. You may not know about the translation of the Budget into money terms. The governance arrangement in terms of managing the finances that too is being strengthened such that we can do much more with less.
As we continue, I just wanted to mention that some areas that within our Budget that we will continue to do as well. Our Palliative Care Services that too is not going to be a strain on our budget because we continue to provide that in the longer term though we look towards and that is in next Fiscal Year we look towards expanding that. In terms of and this is an area that the Secretary for Finance pointed too - our expansion on Oncology services which is supporting and creating
the response for so many Cancer patients on this island.
The PPP
arrangement that we have been pursuing we expect to work towards that thereby supporting any shortfalls we may have for such a service. Another area that is going to impact our budget and that we know that we are benefitting tremendously from that it is a positive one - we are benefitting from the transfer of technology through the engagement of a Vascular Surgeon who while he provides for us Havivisculars. He is also training our staff so that very soon we will not have to pay for that service. The other area I want to quickly mention as well, is that we continue to do extended hours and for persons in East or West Tobago we expect that you will avail yourselves of the service provided beyond the normal working hours such that our population would be well served. Let me just also point to some key areas that we expect to benefit from and we know that we will still be able to provide those. Madam Presiding Officer, Family Development - our efforts at improving Family development could not be understated - overstated. But I want to just examine them in parts because I want to point to what is happening to our children. I read this week because most of us would know Universal Children's Day was Monday and that many countries continue to celebrate this event. But for us in Trinidad and Tobago I do not think there is so much to celebrate because our children continue to be abused.
This Division is committed to see what ways we can deal with these challenges we have.
We have been collaborating with the Children's
Authority and other Agencies so that we could address those gaps that exist with our children. To that extent and we have placed that in our Budget for this year, the establishment of a community residence for children which we would provide the kind of support that our children at risk require at this time rather than leaving them in some of the circumstances that we found them. In terms of our elderly and most persons will know that we continue to have issues with respect to our elderly. Many of them in the age group sixty (60) and over face those same chronic non-communicable diseases. Some face loneliness, some face all kinds of challenges and therefore, we continue to provide for them and within this Budget we are providing additional caregivers for the elderly so that they could have the kind of companionship that they so desire. The other area I want to mention within in terms of how we are able to do more for less. Within the context of the programmes and the projects by the Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour, we are collaborating with respect to the decentralization of social services in communities and that is allowing us to it without increasing a budget - we are doing more with less. Another area that we will continue to do is the At Risk Population. We already have a service in place for those persons who are ex-prisoners who are juvenile delinquents and that service that we collaborate with an
NGO (Non-Government Organization) in terms of providing, we are continuing to provide that and thereby not increasing our cost. So this matter of our family and the protection and the support required for families we are continuing to do so because we know our family is key to our society. The issues with respect to Domestic Violence, Teenage Pregnancy and Child Abuse all of those continue to challenge us still and therefore, our services in terms of Domestic Violence support will not impact our budget significantly because that service is already up and running. You may wish to listen tomorrow to our launch of our sixteen (16) days of activism where we are going to go frontal in terms of these matters that affect our families at this time in Tobago. Again, that is not costing us any additional money. We are doing more with less. Just to remind some of those in terms of what we say, we will do for men that we are launching a Blue Room (not costing us anything more because there is a space we must create) both for men and for women so that our men will have their Blue Room, our women will have their Pink Room a space where our many men who now have Prostate Cancer a space they can go and our many women who now have Breast and Colon Cancer.
Some of the men have both Prostate and Colon Cancer that there is a space that they can occupy because we need to create a space for them. Let
me just say that Prostate Cancer is of a greater problem than Breast Cancer in men on this island even more than in Trinidad. So Prostate is the priority for men and Breast for women on this island. We now see a third runner up as Colon Cancer and therefore, we are creating that opportunity so that notwithstanding we are doing that, we are not impacting our budget significantly because we are collaborating with others to do that. Madam Presiding Officer, so we are continuing notwithstanding our budgetary allocation. Our focus on children, our focus on our adolescence, our focus on our elderly. But there is a group of our population that not enough has been done by others but that this Division has taken on board the Differently Abled. So, we continue and we gave a commitment to provide appropriate accommodation for them and that has been provided and it is now properly outfitted and so that they can have the kind of support and the comfortable learning spaces that they require. Madam Presiding Officer, we are committed to greater inclusion and equity among these persons with disabilities. Again, we are doing more with less. We are not asking for much more because we have already reviewed what we wanted to do and we are working towards delivering those. Another area which is not going to impact us is our collaboration with Child Protection Unit that is another collaboration that is not costing us as well so that that too is going to be delivered.
Let me just finally point to some areas that based on our allocation under the PSIP that we will deliver in addition to those other areas that I have mentioned. As we seek to improve the living standards of the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. Madam Presiding Officer, just permit me to just identify some of the things that we will deliver within this budget. We have purchased a building in which we hope to house a Probation Hostel and so it must be outfitted and refurbished in this fiscal period. We know that infrastructure within which we care for these charges at the hostel is less than adequate and that is to happen this year at the cost of point zero three million dollars ($.03m.). This building was purchased in this fiscal period. The other thing we want to do and we had the opportunity to do a handing over of Grants this year to our micro-entrepreneurs under our REACH Programme that we are going to be providing development and training to those persons who have been given their Grants this year and any additional ones - zero point eight million dollars ($0.8m.) would be spent on that. With respect to some of the other areas and these are all for to support our social programmes. The services we provide to persons from the prisons for re-entry into society that too is a programme that we are embarking on and
it is funded and we expect to have that re-adjustment, re-integration Programme be properly supported where we do training for them such that they can get back into society and continue contributing. Our Programme for Adolescent mothers which I mentioned earlier, we intend to have our skills training, our preparation for School Leaving Examinations, our parenting workshops and so. We will be delivering that within this fiscal period. As well as, our Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programme that too will be delivered in this Fiscal Year because we do have a commitment to do so. The other area that we will be treating with that I just mentioned is the Technical Vocational Centre. Persons with disabilities, we have an existing Facility that I just mentioned and the expectation is that we will continue to provide vocational education to them.
Of course, we do have a centre for men; women; and children who are in domestic situation. We are continuing to provide some support to the various projects, we are delivering. That centre is located in Mason Hall and we are continuing to do some efforts. This year, in particular, we are going to commission and operating our Domestic Hotline that has not been in operation since I have already trained and this is to be delivered in this year. That is important because as we said, we do have many cases of domestic violence occurring in our society.
The other area that I want to quickly mention is that of our main streaming gender within the Tobago House of Assembly. Those are some areas that we want to pay attention to. So our professionals in the Division will be working with the other Divisions in the THA to deliver that service. With respect to some of the other areas where we try to collaborate with others for the International Days and Festivals that are held every year, we will be doing so. But I think our big project that we want to work on this year, a real important project, is a Community-based Programme that we are seeking to treat with:
Parenting Education; Early Childhood Care; and Family Life education.
That is an area that is also within our reach and we want to pay attention to that this year. We are saying that is important that we work with our colleagues, the other agencies and the other Divisions, we would be able to deliver a service that reaches many more of the disadvantaged in our population.
The other area that I wanted to also mention is that of the infrastructure which we hope to deliver. We hope within this year, within the budget that we have, to continue substructure works in terms of our Moriah Health Centre - that is a long outstanding Facility and it is our
expectation that works will continue. There is commitment and monies already paid to the project in the previous Fiscal year and we expect to continue that as well.
So, finally Madam Presiding Officer, let me just say that this Tobago Health Sector is poised to deliver to its population a service within the framework of the Vision 2030. It is positioned in a way that we could deliver an improved product. It is positioned such that it could respond to the needs of this population, notwithstanding the challenges that we have in terms of adjusted budget (because we have taken and in layman’s language we take in front) because we have already looked at what we expected to happen. We are in a better situation, a better stage to be able to respond to it. I feel certain that in my own case, in my own Division, as we seek for instance, our hospital as we pursue our accreditation as we seek to improve service delivery, as we seek to improve the maintenance of several areas, we think our population would be better for it. In terms of our families, we will continue the inclusion of our children adolescence men; and women in terms of the care to ensure that they improve their quality of life.
Madam Presiding Officer, the transformation that we pursue is within reach. Our expectation is that within the short and medium term, we will see some results. However, as you would know there are long term results in terms of the change in health status that we will see as we go along. More importantly, there is a commitment Madam Presiding Officer, to work
towards building a healthier community as we seek towards building a healthier nation.
I thank you. [Desk thumping] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Secretary of Agriculture, Food
Production and Fisheries.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRODUCTION AND FISHERIES [Hon. Hayden Spencer] [Desk thumping] Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer, for allowing me to join this debate at this time. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to beg you indulgence to reflect closely to my notes for the purpose of disseminating accurate information. I beg your indulgence.
You see, Madam Presiding Officer, what I observe that we have on the Minority bench, you know back in the days you have these unruly children, that when they cannot get things their way, they began crying and trampling up and so on.
I remember that issue in Arima. “Come out the building, come out the building�. Nobody would not move. Pops here goes the Fire Alarm! Now, that is a lesson learnt that if we listen we will learn something; if you research and we read some more, we would learn something.
Madam Presiding Officer, as Secretary of the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries, I want to remain focus on the issues as it relates to the Division and it relates to the farming community and our stakeholders. Madam Presiding Officer, the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries was constituted under the current Tobago House of Assembly which was inaugurated in January 2017. This Division replaces the former Division called, “The Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment”. This decision took into consideration the perceived role that the Division is expected to play in the revision and diversification of the economy of the island of Tobago.
Added to this, was the
Establishment of the Agriculture Revitalization Team with a major responsibility of advising the Secretary of Food Production on matters relating to Policy Project and Implementation Procedures in the Agriculture sector.
Madam Presiding Officer, the Honourable Chief Secretary, Mr. Kelvin Charles would have been the mastermind, so I say an astute Leader. Yes! Visionary and innovative. [Desk thumping] That is something that we are yet to see happening on the other side. [Laughter] In addition, the Division has under its jurisdiction four (4) substantive Departments along with Unit and Sections. The Department includes: Agriculture; Natural Resources and Forestry;
Marketing; Marine Resources; and Fisheries Under Units, you have the: Project Implementation Unit; Human Resource Unit; Accounting Unit; Communication Unit; and Information Technology Unit.
In the process of charting the way forward through the agricultural the articulation of policies the determination of priority Projects and Programmes and the allocation of resources, the Division of Food Production Forestry and Fisheries has developed an Overarching Policy and Strategic Plan as guided by the Tobago Comprehensive Economic Development Plan the CEDP 2.0. The Departments and Units in their consideration of all activities operate in line with the policy and strategic plan are therefore of the Division and therefore guided to adhere to the path. In a more specific terms, the technical strategic plan of the Division, covering the time frame of 2015 to 2020 emphasis the following:
Madam Presiding Officer, the Division has a Vision and also a Mission. The Mission and Vision are influenced by the fact that agriculture is position under the Business Development and Entrepreneurship Strategic Priority Area of the CEDP 2.0.
The Vision considers the attainment of food security by expanding supply capacity producing nichĂŠ products, targeting domestic and international markets and promoting agriculture as a business in a sustained environment. The Mission on the other hand, looks at the preparation of stakeholders and to more successfully manage their investments in the agriculture sector. We are basically looking at some agriculture development goals and we look at four (4) major areas to establish and we would have considered for the development of the agriculture sector. The creation of a more enabling policy environment for the development of the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food industry of Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, hence the reason we would of instituted the Agriculture Revitalization Plan with an Agriculture Revitalization Team. So the agriculture revitalization team is at present, Madam Presiding Officer, working feverishly with all stakeholders in the industry to foster that relationship to create a dynamic eco-food industry in Tobago. By branded products, fresh and value added, attracting investments and generate a lucrative business opportunity for the citizens of Tobago. The creation of a proactive, innovated and output driven leadership within the agriculture, fisheries, Forestry and Food Institution, Stakeholders Organization and Industries.
The creation of an efficient use and conservation of Tobago's natural land, forest and marine resources as base for supporting livelihood in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food sector. Progress indicators, key actions and variable performances indicators are in place of each of these goals. Madam Presiding Officer, the operational plans are to effect and state the goals each sector of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and the Food Industry will be in a position to make the necessary plans, detailing programmes and projects and link them to achieving goals, objectives and outputs. This will include potential sources of financing and it must be shown how these projects will be completed.
This means that there will be a need for
implementation plans indicating time frames and responsibility matrices, monitoring and evaluation processes. Madam Presiding Officer, it is against that background as outlined above that the activities of the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries are considered for Fiscal 2018. Among the agreed projects and programmes on a priority basis to be undertaken by the respective Departments under period of review. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to look at our plans and projects for the agriculture sector for Fiscal 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to
look at our animal health. Streamlining our veterinary services, renovations to the lab, an upgrade to our AI Services to livestock farmers. Madam Presiding Officer, these activities will be taken place at the Hope Farm Unit. We are also doing some development at the Hope Farm itself. The purchase of new breeding stocks to increase production and sale of starter livestock, pasture rehabilitation for year round forage supply and to reduce the feed bill. Madam Presiding Officer, at present, the Division incurs a large debt in purchasing feed for animals. So we are looking at an output of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars (125,000) to do some expansion in our pastures and also to plant forage which is grass and other feed that the animals will eat and rely less on feed from the feed mills. In that way, the Division will be saving over two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) annually. Madam Presiding Officer, our extension services.
We intend to
conduct a farmer's re-enlistment exercise to increase our farm visit. Continued Regulatory and Advisory functions, hosting of our World Food Day 2018, identify farmer's access roads. Madam Presiding Officer, we move to the Louis D'or Nurseries. We want to continue to supply to the people of Tobago, farmers and all householders, we want to continue to supply citrus, seedlings and orchard crops. We are looking this year at 2018 at an output of eight thousand (8,000) citrus and three thousand (3,000) orchard crops.
Madam Presiding Officer, I move on to Tractor Pool where the services provided to farmers at Tractor Pool in land preparation. We are looking at service repairs to our tractors that are down in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). Yes, Madam Presiding Officer, and we are also looking at purchasing two new tractors at the cost of one million dollars ($1m.). Madam Presiding Officer, I move on to the Plant Tissue Culture Lab. We continue to produce disease-free plantlet to our farmers in the area of Dasheen, Plantain and bananas. Madam Presiding Officer, we are looking at supplying our farmers for Fiscal 2018 with a total of eighty thousand (80,000) plantlets in each commodity that I would have mentioned. Madam Presiding Officer, we are looking at the Lure and the Courland Estates. At the Lure Estate we are going to complete the workers facility at both locations where the main structures would have been up and we are looking at outfitting the internal aspects of the building with the necessary electricity, plumbing and so on. So that for both entities we are looking at a cost of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000). At the stations they will continue to distribute plant material to farmers in the area of sweet potatoes, cassava, ginger, yams, pineapple and to undertake Green House Farming Pilot Project with farmers in the Black Rock and Plymouth area.
Madam Presiding Officer, I move on to our Home Garden Initiative Programme. We will continue our Home Garden Initiative Programme for 2018. So far, we would have had three hundred (300) homes registered and are participating in our Home Gardening Initiative.
We will want to
continue in 2018 as the drive is to bring back the population into farming, bring back that awareness so that is part of our campaign in our Home Garden Initiative Programme.
Madam Presiding Officer, I move on to Kendal Farm School. Kendal Farm School at present we have forty-five (45) students that are undergoing training in the areas of, Livestock; crops. So we are looking at continuing this Programme because 2017 would have been the last cycle for the Youth Apprentice Programme in Agriculture. So, what we would have done we would have sought additional funding to continue the Programme based on the response that we would have received from the young people of Tobago. When I say young people, I invite all because you know people believe that young people are just maybe between twenty-five (25) and under. But according to our young people as it relates to Agriculture, we are looking at the ages between eighteen (18) and forty-five (45). You are all invited to participate in our Training Programme if you so desire to become a farmer. These are the Programmes that we would have outlined under the Agriculture Department.
Interestingly, Madam Presiding Officer, this is something I would just like the public to be aware of. I beg your indulgence again to read this one,
because this information has to be accurate. These are some of the Technical Services that the Division provides and would like the members of the public and especially the stakeholders to utilize these facilities because they are there and it is for members of the public to utilize them.
Sometimes, you give good where good is given. I must at this point in time commend the Minority Leader. Yes, for one reason or the other. I want to commend him because he wrote myself as the Secretary of Food Production and he asked the question. I would like to know what are some of the services that the Division of Food Production provides to the public, so that I can alert the people in my Electoral District.
MR. W. DUKE: You never respond. HON. H. SPENCER: I did respond. I have the document here. That is why I walk with it today. [Laughter] [Crosstalk]
So we have a Farmers
Registration Programme. As long as you intend to do farming, whether it be a lot of land or an acre of land, you are required by the Law especially for the Predial Larceny Act to be registered as a farmer. The Division provides this service at its Extension Section Food Crop Unit at Glen Road.
We also provide Animal Health Services. There are people they are minding their two (2) little sheep or two (2) little goats; rabbit at the back of their house. You know sometimes, you are harbouring diseases, and you do not know. What we have available is that the Veterinary Officers will visit
you on request and look at what you have look at your animals to ensure that your animals are disease free and you are not endangering your family. So, we have all these facilities available I am just highlighting them as I go along.
We also have an Artificial Insemination Service: Yes, if you have maybe you have a local breed animal, and you need an upgrade, you can go to Hope Farm at the Artificial Insemination Section and the officers will come out there and they will carry out the process and then you can upgrade your livestock through artificial insemination services.
We also have the sale of starter livestock. So you want to get into farming, but you love animals, you do not want to get into the hard farming business so you prefer to mind animals. Department, what we have at Hope Farm are: Cattle; Goats; Pigs; Rabbits; Ducklings;
we have at Blenheim: Sheep.
You go to the Hope Farm
So either way, you go to Hope Farm and you register for purchasing of starter livestock. We also have and I mentioned this before, the sale of high quality seed stock and planting materials at our Louis D’Or Station and the Tissue Culture Lab.
We also have the distribution of root and tubers. I mentioned that before at the Lure Estate where you can have: Sweet potatoes; Cassava; Ginger; Pineapples
You can have these sort of plantlets, if you are interesting in farming.
We also have the Land Preparation Services, I mentioned that before at Tractor Pool. The Youth Apprenticeship Programme in Agriculture: I mentioned that before. If you are interested, you can register at: Hope Farm; anyone of our stations; Kendal Farm School; Glen Road; the Agricultural Main Office;
The Home Garden Initiative you want to partake in the Home Garden Competition, you also register at Food Crop over at Glen Road.
The
Division also offers training through Kendal Farm School and you see our training now would be intensified because what we recognized is that Tobago is lacking of farmers. So we want to go on a campaign drive so we are going to meet the people outside of not just the stations. We would be going to community centres, schools, wherever we could meet the people and encourage the people of Tobago or folks of Tobago especially those young entrepreneurs to get into some aspect of agriculture whether it be in the area of: Food Production; Livestock; or Marine Resources;
whether you want to go into Fishing; there are so many avenues, and we must get our people having to access these services.
We also have the Agriculture Incentive Programme. In order to access this Programme you have to be registered as a farmer. When you purchased whether you build pens, or you purchase Irrigation System, you go with your receipts at the Department and you would receive a rebate on your expenditure which is called the, “Agriculture Incentive Programme”. So all
these services are available to the public. So I explain the process in full. I know my unruly child would have said that he did not receive this information. [Laughter] I now move on to Natural Resources and Forestry. What we intend to do for Fiscal 2018:
Improvement of the facilities at the Blood Bay Look out; We want to: Continue upgrade of the Rest Hut at Gilpin Trail; Improvement of the parking facility and set up the water catchment and storage tank; Procurement and spreading of materials to improve the condition of the trail surface.
The completion and ventilation improvement works on the battery storage room at the Bloody Bay Look Out;
Improvement in the water storage facility and securing the storage tanks.
All of this will be done at the Bloody Bay Look out. Madam Presiding Officer, we want to start re-defining, we would have already started the re-defining of our forestry reserve boundary line survey.
Now we are pleased that we will be able to continue in 2018 now that there is a Surveyor who would have become available to carry out these works. Madam Presiding Officer, we are looking at the improvement Improving Forest and Protected Areas Management (IFPAM).
Madam
Presiding Officer, we are working with all the stakeholders to carry out a Consultation in the Charlotteville to Speyside catchment area - Inter American Development Bank (IADB), our counterparts in Trinidad, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), we have all these stakeholders on board in this IFPAM Programme.
Madam Presiding Officer, at no cost to
the Tobago House of Assembly. We just have to make our people available for the Consultations and to make use of the opportunity. I am very sorry that the Member for Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi is not present because this is something that will benefit the people of that area in actually coming out and being entrepreneurs in that area. Madam Presiding Officer, that is it for the Department of Natural Resources and Forestry. I want to move on to the Marketing Department. The Marketing Department we will continue our mandate to facilitate our stakeholders, provide assistance in the processing and marketing of agricultural produce. The facilities dedicated to these efforts are:
The Scarborough Market; Scarborough Abbatoir; Packing House; and The Hope Farm Processing Unit; also The Processing Unit at Louis D'or.
Madam Presiding Officer, the Marketing Department will continue to work with all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to ensure two things we must ensure that our food is safe. Madam Presiding Officer, as I am on this point of safety. I remember attending a Consultation with the Honourable Secretary of Health last week. Yes, where there is a move to nationally have a Food Safety Policy which is something that is very good for Tobago. So we in the Division, in the Marketing Department we would have been one step ahead because we are in the process of establishing a Quality Control Unit. So this move by the Central Government is very timely to establish laws to control food safety in Trinidad and Tobago as basically a tourism island. I move on to the Department of Marine Resource and Fisheries. Madam Presiding Officer, the Marine Resource and Fisheries Department will continue the Safety At Sea Training Programme in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. They will continue training in the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for users of our Fish Markets and our market. We are also continue sensitization on our Marine Park User Policy. Madam Presiding Officer, 2018 will be doing a lot of Public Awareness. We will be doing a lot of training in the Fish Aggregation Device, we will be doing training in the Set Net Project; the reactivation of our ... [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Honourable Member, your speaking
time has come to an end. EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME Motion made: That the Hon. Member's speaking time be extended by (10) minutes. [Hon. Kwesi Des Vignes] Question put and agreed to. HON. H. SPENCER: Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer. Let me run through quickly. Madam Presiding Officer, I will be doing training in:
Basic fish handling; Flying fish deboning; The salting of fish; The smoking and corning of fish; Fish stock monitoring; Coral Reef monitoring; Marine Buoys monitoring. Madam Presiding Officer, one of the things that we would have
looked at is that we will be looking at repairs to our present cadre of fishing facility. Madam Presiding Officer, sadly to say we would have established these Fishing Facilities and over the years we would have been trying to get
the fisherfolks and the people of Tobago to understand the importance of purchasing food in a healthy and safe manner. Madam Presiding Officer, we would of seen a number of illnesses and diseases that we are not familiar with in Tobago and sometimes we do not know the cause. Madam Presiding Officer, you know I want to say to us especially in the area of fish. Fish is one of the fastest decaying meat. So immediately as a fish dies it starts to decay. So what we will be doing before we go on to building another facility in any community we will ensure that these facilities that we have that are existing, those that are not functioning for example: Studley Park; Delaford; Arygle.
We will upgrade these facilities. Get them up and running so that we can capture the necessary data needed. So that in the future we can look at how we construct these facilities and maybe tweet them a bit. So we will do upgrades to Buccoo and Courland Fishing Facilities in 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, the Project Implementation Unit. They are charged with the continued works on the Abattoir. Works are ongoing at the Abattoir at this time. We are continuing to complete in 2018.
Madam Presiding Officer, they are charged with the construction of the temporary market at Shaw Park where we had a challenge due to the weather so we cannot relocate the vendors from the Scarborough Market before 2018. So we are looking at January 2018 at the slow period, that we should complete the temporary Market at Shaw Park by that time so that we can relocate the vendors, so that we can start the repairs at the old Scarborough Market. Madam Presiding Officer, before I wrap up, the question was asked this morning on our Agricultural Access Road Programme. So I want to just run through that one more time. Interestingly, I thought as the Member would have asked the question about the Agricultural Access Road, the Minority Leader, I deliberately left out an access road, thinking that is his Electoral District and he would have wanted to know why are we not completing that road? But you know as I sit there and I am pondering and I am asking myself the question when last did the Minority Leader saw that sign just as you are leaving Argyle that says “Welcome to Roxborough”? [Desk thumping] When last have you seen that sign? [Laughter] So Madam Presiding Officer, at Charlotteville we will be looking at:
The Bell Aire Connector Road to Gasper Gully and Triggs; Speyside - Lambeau Hill; Delaford - Baptiste Trace Connector Road to Louis D’Or; Kendal - Put me Hill; Belle Garden - Park Gully; Richmond - the Richmond Bay Road; Pembroke;
We will continue our work at: Cadiff; Like I said: Cadiff Phase II Madam Presiding Officer, we continue in: Goodwood; Jim Dial Phase II; Mt. St. George; Money Hill; Blenheim - Blenheim Farm Connector Road; which that road belongs to our Division - the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries. Calder Hall we look at Cradley Road; Mason Hall we look at Menno Trace; Moriah – Indian Walk We have a cluster of farmers in Indian Walk, so we must pay attention to that Indian Walk basin and that Indian Walk Access Road; Les Coteaux - Plantain Trace. Madam Presiding Officer, all that I would have highlighted here are roads that the Project Manager and the Clerk of Works of the Division will visit these roads, and they would have already visited some of these roads and started the process of ascertaining what are the type of works to be done on these roads so that we can now put them out for tendering. The tendering process has not yet started.
Madam Presiding Officer, with the few minutes that I have, I want to speak a little bit on the general situation on farming in Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, everyone is saying, “you know Tobago used to supply Trinidad with food, now look how much food is coming up from Trinidad”, and pointing in the direction of the Tobago House of Assembly. But at no point in time, was any Government whether it was County Council, whether it was the previous Tobago House of Assembly, had not that responsibility to plant food to such an extent in Tobago to export to Trinidad.
It was the
people of Tobago that took that responsibility upon themselves because the people back then were, if I should say innovators, entrepreneurs, everybody had a farm, everybody had a shop, everybody had a backyard garden, and Tobago we find ourselves to be right now like a lazy bunch. We do not want to work hard, and that is where people like you come in. Do not go to work today! “Take two (2) days home! Two days of rest and reflect”. Yes, that is what you are engender in people. So as we drive forward I want to make a call especially on the young men and young women of Tobago.
I heard the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside saying how much people he has to assist, and let us go and walk his Electoral District. But I could tell him about the amount of breadfruit that up there is wasting; I could tell him about the amount of mangoes falling off of trees, nobody doing anything about it. Long ago, our fore-parents especially the women use to do a lot of things with those things to make a little change. So we lost our entrepreneurship. So, when we are moving about as
Assemblymen, let us not indulge in this one-sided conversation. Let us speak to our people knowing that they also have a responsibility. So we in the Division will do the facilitating, we will do the training, but the people must become entrepreneurs and must be stakeholders must recognize that agriculture is a profession just like any other. It is a business like any other business, so getting involved in the sector‌ Gone are the days when there was this saying, “Listen, if you did not make it to Secondary School or High School you become a farmer, you go farming. Farmers now are educated people, because they recognize that there is a business in this thing.
Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. [Desk thumping] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Deputy Presiding Officer.
DEPUTY PRESIDING OFFICER AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY: (Mr. Ancil Dennis) [Desk thumping] Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to contributing to yet another Budget Debate.
Let me start by congratulating in his absence, the Member for Bacolet/Mt. St. George for his very comprehensive presentation. Of course, in the previous time when we asked for five billion dollars ($5b.) and of course here this morning as we are now making some adjustments as we move forward with the business of the people of Tobago.
Let me also congratulate our Chief Secretary, Honourable Kelvin Charles on his leadership thus far over the last ten (10) months. Since assuming Office, he has function based on the principles or based on a group of words I should say. Words such as: Change; Adjustments; Adaptations, Shifts; Act; and Action.
Therefore, I want to base my presentation on a few of those words. But before I do that, while every single Member of this team, all the Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries are efficient and hardworking and very responsive, I want to be unusual in singling out the Secretary of Health Wellness and Family Development, Councillor Agatha Carrington. Since I have come to know this lady, but since her appointment, (because I did not know her before, I have heard about her) in this capacity in the Tobago House of Assembly, I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that this individual is going to transform the Health Sector here in Tobago. [Desk thumping] I listened to her presentation and I regret that the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside was absent for her presentation. I am sure when he heard the words coming out of her mouth, all the plans and proposals, he would have definitely be charmed. [Laughter] But I want to
deal with two (2) matters Madam Presiding Officer, and if time permits, I will deal with the third. The first thing that I want to look at is Tobago Security. Of course, we have National Security which the Tobago House of Assembly does not have responsibility for. Whilst the THA Act does not give us any responsibility for Security at all, we in this Assembly, in this Administration understands the need for us here in Tobago to mind our business where our security is concerned.
Therefore, if you were to evaluate Tobago over the last few
years and I could talk about you know from 1992 thereabout when I was five (5) years old and while my memory is vague with regards to those days, I remember the Tobago when you could have gone to sleep, Madam Presiding Officer and leave your bedroom door open, or your living room door open. Or you could have laid on the couch, looking at TV late in the night and your doors open, curtains tied up, persons could have walked in the streets and you they would have seen straight in your house and at that point in time people felt safe.
I am saying that while Tobago continues to be a relatively safe place we must take stock of what is happening on the island. Because over the last three (3) years in 2015 and I want to specifically look at the issue of murders.  In 2015 there were seven (7) murders on the island;  In 2016 there were four (4).
Seven (7) plus four (4) is eleven and all of a sudden in 2017 in the month of November you already have the total for 2015 and 2016 put together. Madam Presiding Officer, when we look at shootings:  In 2015 we had nine (9).  In 2016 we had twenty-eight (28); and  In 2017 we already have thirty-five (35) shootings.
Therefore, we must take stock of ourselves in Tobago we must look at what is happening and take the necessary action. Of course, the Tobago House of Assembly, we have our responsibility and in discharging those responsibilities we intend to partner with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service of course, the Tobago Division. And one of the Programmes we are looking at going forward is the whole issue of increase education and awareness.
Because there is a need for us to
sensitize persons on the issues of security, when you look at how we operate sometimes in terms of securing our premises because it is interesting. An individual can invest let us say what, five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to a million dollars ($1m.) to build a home but that individual will find you know investing maybe two to three thousand dollars ($2,000 - $3,000) to install security cameras (that is how much it cost eh?) and alarms and that kind of stuff. They find that to be too expensive. Therefore, we have a responsibility to continue to sensitize persons in communities. Of course, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has been doing a tremendous job at that for which they must be congratulated.
Because over the last few months they have gone to numerous communities, Madam Presiding Officer, discussing the whole issue of crime and safety here on the island. Apart from that, we will continue to make demands. I want to use the words, "Demands" not "Request" as it relates to two particular areas in terms of securing our borders here in Tobago. We are looking at particularly the installation of a Scanner at the Port because at present, we know security at our sea port is nowhere near where it should be. Because I travelled on the boat from time to time and it is easy to drive on your vehicle, drive off, of course they search the odd vehicle but we must do much better than that as it relates to security at our sea port. We are also going to make demands in terms of the allocation of a Coast Guard vessel that will serve Tobago and Tobago alone. The present situation is where there is a particular vessel that will service Trinidad and it comes to Tobago maybe twice to two (2) days in the week or something like that. So we want to have a situation where a vessel is designated and identified to patrol the coast of Tobago. The other thing we are going to look at and I realize that it is one minute to tea [Laughter] so I just want to position myself to be cut off so I would not be surprised, Madam Presiding Officer. [Laughter]
So finally before tea, [Laughter] we also intend to look at the implementation of a Crime Stoppers Hotline specific to Tobago. Finally, not finally in terms of wrapping up my presentation but with respect to Tobago security, the Chief Secretary will meet with the Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on a monthly basis and of course, to be kept abreast with issues of safety and security here on the island and of course, also to make his suggestions known as we continue to ensure our safety and security on the island. [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: This sitting is now suspended. It will resume at 5.00 p.m. 4.35: Sitting suspended. 5.02 p.m.: Sitting resumed. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Deputy Presiding Officer, I will ask you to resume where you left off.
MR. A. DENNIS: [Desk thumping] Thank you once again Madam Presiding Officer.
So I was just wrapping up the issue of Tobago security. But of course having mentioned the areas in which the Tobago House of Assembly will try to ensure that you now realize a more secure Tobago. I want to urge
members of the Tobago population as well in their respective communities to make the extra effort to look out for each other. Of course in years gone by, Tobagonians were accustomed to being each other’s keeper. We were accustomed to looking out for one another. As a matter of fact, I want to suggest that back then, we used to “maco” for the right reasons. So, if there were strange persons coming into a community, people were aware and they will ask questions, as to who is “X” and who is “Y”. What is the purpose for being in this community? If a strange car parked in a certain place for too long, people will be concerned and ask questions. I am saying that we must return to that place where strangers and especially criminals, (I should not use the word strangers) coming into communities and roaming freely and finding safe havens in our communities in Tobago should not be allowed.
Of course, in the Tobago House of Assembly, we will urge the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to do more in terms of identifying who the criminals are. Interestingly, I want to mention this. In the last… I think it was the murder before the last two (2) murders we had on the island, this guy turned out to be wanted for crimes in Trinidad. I must admit that at one point in time he came to my Electoral District Office, basically seeking information and assistance. I had no idea that the individual was wanted by the Police. So I am saying, that we have to do more in terms of informing and sensitizing persons who the wanted individuals are. If it requires us to put up posters at: Supermarkets; THA Offices; Banks;
or wherever it requires, persons must be aware of who wanted individuals are and that information must be spread as far as possible. So that persons will know who are the persons coming around them. I will now move on to planning, and specifically Town and Country Planning here in Tobago. We have some issues Madam Presiding Officer, and this Administration we are about business as unusual. We are about change; we are about shaking this place so that we could get the required results.
Of course, in the area of Town and Country Planning, we have a
situation here in Tobago, where there is almost zero enforcement where persons can build wherever, add on whatever, clogged drains, backfill properties. There are a number of complaints in my Electoral District where individuals have built walls, where individuals have backfilled their properties and causing others to experience hardships whether it is through flooding and that kind of thing. Therefore, we must begin to make changes with respect to our planning matters here in Tobago.
I want to inform the Tobago public through this House that back in 2012 Planning and Facilitation of Development Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament. Of course, this paved the way for the dissolution of Town and Country Planning Division and therefore this allows the Tobago House of Assembly to emerge as the planning authority here in Tobago. But of course before that is enforced, a number of things must happen. A number of developments has to take place in terms of making the necessary adjustment, the necessary policy adjustments; the necessary human resource
adjustments etcetera. Therefore, we have triggered the process, we have already began collaboration with the Ministry of Planning in Trinidad as we move towards the Tobago House of Assembly taking full responsibility for our planning matters here in Tobago. The question could be asked, “You know what does that mean�? Prior to this, coming into effect, or if you were to look at what exists now, the only role that the Tobago House of Assembly has with respect to Town and Country Planning is in terms of the approval process. We know in times past, officers had to come from the Ministry of Planning in Trinidad to come to Tobago to do certain things and undertake certain responsibilities in order for Tobago people to have their business move forward.
But of course, through collaboration with the Ministry of
Planning, we moved from that, where persons would come from Trinidad to a situation now where we have an individual employed here in Tobago full time to deal with those issues.
So now we have a situation where the
approval process take something like two (2) months, in times past it used to take something like three (3), four (4), and five (5) months in many cases. So I am informed that eighty percent (80%) of the applications are now approved within a period of two (2) months. But of course moving forward in this new dispensation where the Tobago House of Assembly will take full responsibility, the intention is that applications for approvals can in fact be approved or denied within a period of one month. So we have triggered the process and we are hoping that within this Fiscal year we could start moving towards setting up the various systems, the various procedures that the Tobago House of Assembly we can in fact take care of Tobago people’s business right here in Tobago with respect to planning.
So this means that the Tobago House of Assembly would not only be responsible for approvals, and the applications process, but also the whole issue of enforcement. I want to stay there for a while because we need to come to the place in Tobago Madam Presiding Officer, where every single development whether its building a home, whether it is renovation, whether it is simple adding on a room, or whether it is a simple process as excavating a piece of land, or backfilling a piece of land, must be approved here in Tobago. Therefore, we must come to the place where when individuals go ahead and undertake those developments without approvals, or contrary to the approval given that there must be consequences.
That is where
enforcement comes in. So Madam Presiding Officer, we are moving quickly ahead to ensure that we take responsibility here in Tobago, so that we can have a situation where all of our planning matters, all our Town and Country issues can in fact be taken care of here in Tobago without any inputs, without any guidance; without any interference; from the Ministry of Planning in Trinidad.
Finally, Madam Presiding Officer, I want to talk about the issue of Public Sector reform.
In this Tobago, and in Trinidad and Tobago, we tend
to talk about change; we tend to ask for change and request change. Then when change comes, is as if we do not understand that is the change that we were asking for. We begin to take on a different posture when we start witnessing the change. So here in Tobago, people were singing the song that the Quarry is a gold mine and it should be making Tobago people millions of dollars and that the
present status quo should not continue because the Quarry is the only Quarry in the world or the Caribbean that is losing money. Then, when this Administration came in, as a matter of fact, I think the process started since the previous Administration. When we decided to undertake a process that will sort of bring a new system in place to manage the Quarry to ensure that we could have profitability in the Quarry and not only profitability but greater efficiency in terms of the provision of material not just here in Tobago, but also in Trinidad and maybe the wider Caribbean other persons were singing a different song. So we ask for change and when change comes we turn around and we cower and shiver. But I want to suggest to the people of Tobago that this Administration under the leadership of Mr. Kelvin Charles, we will not shirk from our responsibilities. We will do what is necessary to ensure that the quality of life here in Tobago continues to be improved and to ensure that our system of governance and our Public Service here in Tobago is reformed and it becomes more efficient, more productive and significantly more effective, Madam Presiding Officer. [Desk thumping] Another thing we talked about all over Tobago, how THA workers not coming to work on time. Yes, I am sure if you go to many offices tomorrow morning for 8.15 a.m. or 8.00 a.m. or let us say 8.30 a.m. you would discover that a number of the buildings will be almost empty. But I can assure you that they would not be as empty as they use to be before. Because one of the things that we did when we came into office was that we demanded from every single Administrator that they ensure that their Heads
of Departments will go back to the place where punctuality becomes not just a word but it becomes a requirement and therefore, every single Administrator was given that instruction and every single Member of staff within the Assembly is required to be at work on time.
That is change,
Madam Presiding Officer. So the status quo will not continue because you know we model our system of governance here in Trinidad and Tobago after the English system but one of the things that we must recognize is that while the English, United States, Swedish, Norwegians and all the other systems would have undertaken significant reforms to their governance models over the years. In Trinidad and Tobago we have been very slow with our reform processes. So we still have the same ancient Public Service, we still have the same ancient Police Service Commission, the same old way of operating where a file goes around in vehicles from office to office in order to get something done and we have been very slow to reform. Madam Presiding Officer, but we are saying here in Tobago, we will do as much as we possibly can. Of course, we will be hindered legislatively in many cases, but whatever we can do to facilitate Public Sector Reforms here in Tobago we will do it, Madam Presiding Officer. So one of the things that we are looking at is a Training and Development Centre that will ensure that our Members of Staff in the Tobago House of Assembly are trained and equipped with the necessary information and the necessary tools to perform their job effectively.
I want to talk about my experience. Because in September 2005, I got the opportunity to work at Republic Bank Limited - started there. You know at the point in time I thought it was just going straight into Bank and starting to count the people's money. But no, I had to go on, I think it was a two (2) days workshop before I even count any money, before I wrote on any of the Bank's paper, before I even picked up a pen.
I was trained on the Bank's
core values, I was trained on the basic operations of my specific position, I was trained on Customer Service, on the Bank's ethics and operating principles and a number of other areas.
Therefore, we must get to the place in the
Tobago House of Assembly where nobody starts a job whether it be contract or employed directly in the Public Service, without going through some level of orientation as it relates to the Tobago House of Assembly. [Desk thumping] So, yes, you are employed but you must be oriented in terms of the expectations, in terms of what you expected to perform in terms of your duties and in terms of the whole issue of Customer Service. We must begin to get that right, not just in the Public Service, Madam Presiding Officer, but also in the Private Sector. I want to pull from another experience because it was just last night I went to Penny Savers and I purchased a couple items and I gave the Cashier my Credit Card and she looked at the Credit Card and looked at me and said, "Whey yuh ID?" I stood there and I did not say anything for a while but her Supervisor was standing about just a couple feet away from us and she
heard. The Supervisor was like, "Whey yuh ID?" That is how you asking the gentleman for his ID?
I said to the Supervisor, “I was thinking the same
thing but I did not say anything.” Therefore, I am saying that if we are to be serious about tourism which we are championing and if we are serious about moving this place forward, then we must begin to pay specific attention to the whole issue of Customer Service. People must have manners, people must have respect, people must treat others with kindness and with dignity whether you go to the hospital, whether you go to the mortuary, whether you go to the Bank, whether you go to the PSA (Public Service Association) office, [Laughter] [Desk thumping] whether you go to any Division of the Tobago House of Assembly there must be good, good Customer Service. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, Performance Management.
Because I
mean over the years, you know persons have been allowed to get away with murder.
I want to put it like that.
Because, Administration after
Administration we would come and we would have a list of projects to be done. Project “x”, Project “y” and Project “z” and each project will have time lines attached to them. But in order for that to happen it is not just the Secretary of Finance reading the Budget and identifying those projects that cause it to happen. Each Administrator in every Division has a responsibility.
Under the
Administrators, each Head of Section or Head of Department has a responsibility.
Right down to the Clerks in the offices responsible for
processing vouchers in order for people to get their payments have a responsibility and we like to complain. Of course, I sympathize with those persons who experience late pay, persons working in this Assembly.
Of course, our suppliers from time to
time who have to wait for months to get payments.
We ask ourselves the
question, "Why is it happening?" Therefore, we must ensure that every single individual in this Assembly who have any responsibility in this Assembly we must ensure that they carry out those responsibilities effectively and efficiently, Madam Presiding Officer.
Therefore, I am saying, we must ensure that we look at our
performance management systems and ensure that we make the necessary changes to ensure that performance is managed effectively in this place. Therefore, we are going to ensure that there are clear expectations. Persons working in the system must know what their Job Specifications is. They must know what is expected of them.
If they are expected between
the hours of 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. to simply sit and process vouchers they must know that. We are also looking at, “Clear Capability”. Every single person with a responsibility, we must ensure that they are capable and equipped to perform those responsibilities effectively. There must also be, “Clear Measurement”. Persons must be aware of the targets. So for instance, I want to use the gangs, but I do not want to say gangs, (gangs sound too kind of criminal) the teams in the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, the teams responsible for
cutting the road, they must know that, okay your milestone for this morning is two hundred feet (200 ft.) or four hundred feet (400ft.) as the case may be, and that must be measured.
Right! Clear feedback! Persons must know
how they are doing. We have situations where persons complain all the time, they have issues with this particular individual, and they complain. Then when they get to appraisal, best appraisal. Performance expectations met! In some cases, performance expectations exceeded. I am saying that we have to be honest, we have to give people honest feedback where performance is concerned.
Most importantly, “Clear consequences”, Madam Presiding Officer. One of the issues that we have in this place, is a lack of consequences. It is not that people are doing things maybe undermine the Administration or undermine the good governance of Tobago, but the thing is that they are getting away with it. So, it is not that persons coming to work late, and leave early.
I got to understand recently, that a Foreman caused a team to abandon a family that was going through a particular situation. It is not they are doing it, but the thing is that they are getting away with it. We must ensure that good performance Madam Presiding Officer, is rewarded and rewarded handsomely. But we must also ensure, that bad performance is punished and punished severely. I am saying that is the only way or one of the only ways that we will realize the change that we want to have in this place called, “Tobago”.
In closing, I think I have about five (5) minutes. [Laughter] We also intend Madam Presiding Officer to make some serious attempts to modernize our way of operating in the Public Service. I want to share this experience because when I first came in, in 2013 coming from the Bank coming from an environment where things were done quickly, and I came into this system and heard the term “file”. When I discovered what a file was, I was surprised. It was a culture shock for me. Of course, you have this thick, sometimes it is as thick as this [Demonstrating] and full of dog ears and that sort of thing… [Interruption]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Member your speaking time has
expired.
EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion Made: That the Hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes [Hon. J. Jack]
Question put and agreed to.
MR. A. DENNIS: Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer. So yes we must begin to modernize. I am simply saying that the way in which we
operate is not the most efficient and effective way, and we must look at that Madam Presiding Officer, and make the necessary changes.
The final thing that I want to look at is the establishment of “Manuals�. It is important for us to establish common ways or specific ways of undertaking every single transaction, every single responsibility within the Tobago House of Assembly.
So for example, the position of
Clerk 1, some of the responsibilities might be to process payment vouchers or process salaries, there is a specific way in which that should be done. I am saying that should be documented. If anybody else coming into that position after, must have a template as to how every single process, every single transaction, every single responsibility specific to that position or specific to that desk is discharged Madam Presiding Officer.
Therefore, in closing, I want to suggest that the position in which we find ourselves, the difficult position, in terms of our economic fortunes provides us with an opportunity. You know in good times it is difficult to change, in good times when oil and gas prices were nice, oil used to be eighty/ninety dollars ($80.00/$90.00) per barrel. Therefore, we had the revenues to support the bad habits. There was no need for change. But now that things are difficult, now that the funding is scarce, we must now ensure that we make the necessary changes, so that we can navigate these difficult economic times Madam Presiding Officer. Therefore, I want to suggest to all of us, to go further. Those around this horseshoe, those outside of this building working in the Tobago House
of Assembly, those in the various hotels, the various restaurants, the taxi drivers, to go further. This situation requires us all as Tobagonians to be patriotic, and productive. Whatever responsibilities that we have, we must ensure that we fulfill them with a high level of diligence; a high level of honesty; and a high level of productivity Madam Presiding Officer. Therefore, I want to give us the assurance that as long as we conduct ourselves with the requisite Tobago ideals of: Tenacity; Hope; Hard work; Dignity;
we will in fact navigate these times on this island that we called, “Tobago” will in fact be better off than we were in the past. So, with that said, I want to say that I support this Motion and I look forward contributing to the development of Tobago over the next Fiscal year. Thank you Madam Presiding Officer. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Secretary of Sport and Youth Affairs.
SECRETARY OF SPORT AND YOUTH AFFAIRS: [Hon. Jomo Pitt] [Desk thumping] [Laughter] Thank you Madam Presiding Officer, for giving me the opportunity to say a few words in support of this Motion.
Before I start this being my maiden speech for the term, I just want to highlight a couple achievements of the new Division, which should be the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs has accomplished within the short space of time that I have been in office. One of which was mentioned by the Deputy Presiding Officer, was the “outstanding payments�. One of the first mandates I instructed the Administrator is to ensure upon getting into office that all outstanding debts be paid off. I want to say here today that ninetyfive percent (95%) of all outstanding debts were paid off before the end of the Financial Year. So it gave me an opportunity to now have a better appreciation of knowing of what I have to work with this upcoming Financial Year.
We were also able to establish a Daily-rated Permanent List which was long and outstanding. Another achievement was the launch of the THA Annual Youth District Games. Which is a Programme that we launched during the August holidays which provided an opportunity for youths, children to be active. It also provided the opportunity for the various sporting associations on the island to identify the lead talent which could be, who can now be housed or group together and trained as the lead athletes going forward. We also had four (4) washrooms that were erected at some community grounds that were long outstanding. I wish I could provide an explanation on why it was not done before but it was not.
Having said that. Jubilee Park is on the verge of being completed within the next week or two (2). Bloody Bay; Hope; and Moriah.
Those are the four (4) community washrooms that would be on the fields that will now allow people to use the grounds. Having said that - I go straight into the Budget and what we plan to do this year. The DP Vote/DP Allocation that was afforded to the Division was nine million dollars ($9m.) I want to refer to or hopefully provide some clarity to the Councillor Dr. Yisrael.
Granted that what we may have submitted to the Central
Government as our request and we got back far short of what we ask for. It does not take away the fact that the request was bad budgeting. Just cause for re-prioritizing some of those issues or some of those DP Projects. For example, I have close to forty million dollars ($40m.) that I ask for. I got nine million dollars ($9m.) Much could be said that we could hold our heads and say whoa be unto us but if we re-prioritize we would be able to separate the needs from the wants. There is a fine line between those two (2). [Desk thumping] So, in my submission I want to repair all the Hard Courts in Tobago, all thirty (30), thirty-five (35) of them which cost about two hundred and
fifty or half a million for each. I did not get that. So instead of doing all thirty (30) we narrow it down to about three (3) or four (4). And those will be targeted based on the need for them. We must admit, all of us and many of the Hard Courts are used for everything else but what the Hard Court was designated for, whether it be Basket Ball or Netball. Nine (9) out of ten (10) times it is used for Small Goal Football. So, in collaboration with the Basket Ball and Netball Association, they will advise us as to which Courts they would like to have refurbished so they could have Community Programmes going on in those areas. The same thing is applicable to building additional toilet facilities that community grounds that do not have. Currently, we are looking at Patience Hill and Richmond. Again, these are grounds that are being used by the community and also by outside entities but do not have that toilet facility. So we will be looking at those to be constructed within this Financial Year.
Replacing the lights at the fields – regrettably, the social responsibility of communities have waned over the years and we all can admit that many grounds on the islands with lights, many of them are left on during the course of the night. Where once upon a time, you could have counted that some responsible individual in the community will take it off or, whoever the user or end user will take it off at the end use. Such is not the case. So to circumvent that what we are going to do is to replace all the light bulbs in
these fields. Frankly we will like to do that on all the fields but that cannot be done so we will target certain fields and by replacing now we will replace them with LAD Lights which now will allow us to put timers. One hour timers so once after the hour is up you could switch it back on and use it thereafter. The challenge we have now is that once you turn off the lights they have to cool down before you could start them up back again, thus resulting people just leaving the lights on and going forward. The Representative for L’Anse Fourmi/Parlatuvier/Speyside we would like to put a turf wicket there because the West Indies Cricket Board was quite impressed with the view and the environment of Speyside in which they could have the CPL Cricket playing couple games here because it would attract I guess the whole environment is quite conducive for tourist to look and just to see playing cricket next to a seaside you must admit it is very conducive. That we are estimated to be about Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). The long awaited and long interest in the Indoor Facility on the island. All we want to do this year is to just do the preparatory work for that. Do the Feasibility Study, perhaps revise the existing drawings so that we make it compatible particularly to the money that we have. The revised drawings or the drawings that we have now was done based on the era when money was not an issue. But whereas in a house you may want to have a swimming pool and a jacuzzi but if your money is not right up you got to rely on going to the sea, go to the beach to bathe.
Other things that we want to do this year – the Youth Assembly. In Barbados the Youth Assembly is something that goes on year-round. We have it as a one off initiative. I would like to collaborate the Presiding Officer, and your team and Ms. Combie to make this a year-round Programme so that we could have youngsters aspire to be like us around this horseshoe. I will also require us to step up our game and the manner in which we conduct ourselves in this august House.
Sometimes it is not the best
example that we are giving to our young people. So I implore all of us around this table, the manner in which people are looking, people are listening and they may take or get the impression it is par for the cause, this is normal.
We have to hold ourselves with a higher standard because the
youths of the island are looking upon us. [Desk thumping] We have the Bethel Youth Centre that will be opening soon. It was closed since 2014 but that will be open in a few weeks. We are filling all vacancies in the Division to ensure that we have the best service from our staff in which in some areas they are short staff. So, in a nutshell, that will be it. However, I want to digress a bit.
I want to give kudos the
Representative from Speyside/Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi on his suggestion that he is doing his part to encourage volunteerism in his community, in his electoral district.
I think we all should support each other in these
initiatives. I for one will support him if he ask, I have not received a request but I would be more than happy more than to do what I can do on my end to support that initiative. Today, in this economy that we are in, all hands have to be on deck. Yes, we belong to various political parties. I belong to one that is the greatest in this region. [Desk thumping] The party I belong to is a, “Brand”. It is a Mercedes Benz. [Laughter] [Desk thumping] For you to become a brand, you have to sustain the ravages and challenges of time. The People’s National Movement (PNM) has been around for sixty plus (60+) years, and sixty plus (60+) years PNM will still be around. [Desk thumping] The thing about this Party and the Mercedes Benz, you cannot take a B 14 part and put it in a Benz. [Desk thumping] [Laughter] We do no join up with nobody to go in no election. Others does join up, to see if they can beat the Benz, B 14 parts cannot fit in a Benz. [Desk thumping][Laughter] Having said that though, when we sit around this horseshoe, we are Assemblymen, we represent not only the Benz drivers, but we also would have to pick up B14 people in the car and treat them just as well.
The Representative for Roxborough in the last sitting made a suggestion which I think is quite valid. We embarked on an initiative to the “Miking to the Communities”. He suggested that we should do it in the evening times, which makes sense. Since most of the population and the citizens are employed by the Tobago House of Assembly, by this Administration, very few unemployed people are home. Therefore, it makes sense that we should do it in the evening times. So, I think it is a suggestion
that we should look into.
It has merit, even though it came from the
Representative. It has merit. Vice versa, if we come up with a suggestion and it worth merit, feel free opposite, tap the desk, [Desk thumping] and say “Well said, well done”. As I mentioned being Assemblymen, if something is good, if something is worth merit, I will be the first to admit it.
One of your Members of your party is part of a Coaching School in Lambeau – “The Lambeau Youth Sports Foundation”. A worthy initiative! I have supported it in the past and I will continue to support it. As a matter of fact, yesterday I dropped off a barrel of Football Equipment for the children of that Programme. [Desk thumping]
Regardless to what party the
gentleman belongs to or who they belong to, the initiative is worthy of support, and I would continue to support such initiatives. Recently, it has been in the airwaves, in the last week or two (2), the issue regarding Mr. Richard Mc Farlane, the Tobago House of Assembly Representative on the Sport Company Board. His appointment was revoked effective immediately, effective two (2) or three (3) weeks from the term of his appointment. As of today, prior to the appointment being revoked, I was not consulted, I was not advised that such was impending. Nor, since he has been revoked, have I been consulted or advised from either the Minister of Finance who initiated the letter or the Minister of Sport. In the absence of information, it is easy to speculate particularly with two (2) weeks remaining of his term, his appointment to be revoked effective immediately, could easily give rise that something clandestine that he would have done something that did not meet the approval of the powers that be.
I want to make it abundantly clear this evening, and to those here in the House today, and to the general public, my belief in Mr. Richard Mc Farlane, his capacity and integrity has not wavered. I do not want people to think that because of what happen, my assessment of the gentleman has changed. Yes, I belong this great Party, but a Member of this great Party said, ”Right is right and wrong is wrong” The manner in which this was done, was wrong”. [Desk thumping] Mr. Mc Farlane pointed out to me months ago, that due to personal and business commitment, he would not be seeking another term as a Board Member. I want to tell you something about the integrity of this gentleman. He was an Officer in the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport once upon a time. He resigned prior to and the reason he resigned because he was going to open up a business – a Sports Business. He saw it to himself that it would be a conflict of interest to work in such a Division and have a Sporting Business. He did this before the business ever got off the ground. He is willing to take that chance, out of principle, he did that. We have current employees in the Tobago House of Assembly who have contracted services to Divisions in the Tobago House of Assembly. Mr. Mc Farlane let me say it again, his integrity is above everybody else. [Desk thumping] So I want to say again that Mr. Mc Farlane will continue to have my support, and if ever I have the opportunity to recommend him for anything, without hesitancy, it will be recommended.
As I mentioned before, and everybody has been saying it across the room, we are in some hard times, but this gives us the opportunity to
showcase who we are as Tobagonians. Many of us if you would have been around in the eighties (80s) when we had the recession, where we definitely showcased who we are and what we were about. I do not know if it is in the Bible, I am not a Bible person. But somebody, I think that I have heard it before, “look towards the hills from whence cometh your help”. [Laughter] Ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to you all, look towards yourself. Do not look across the waters things are just as dire or even worse down there. Whatever we have, let us make do. “Cut and contrive”, these are terms that we used in this island. Let us come back to that day.
A coach who I played under for a number of years, Mr. Bertil St. Clair always said:
“We are from Tobago, and we have trained for this, we could make it through the storm”.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you. [Desk thumping]
LEADER OF ASSEMBLY BUSINESS AND SECRETARY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, QUARRIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (Hon. Kwesi Des Vignes):
Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer, for this
opportunity to contribute to the Debate this afternoon. I must say, I am very pleased to be speaking after Member such as Assemblyman Pitt who really epitomize the type of leadership that this island currently has. Leadership of
integrity, leadership of honesty and leadership that understands that we have a challenge but all is not lost. We actually have an opportunity to drive Tobago in a new direction. I think under the astute leadership of the Honourable Kelvin Charles, we have a fantastic opportunity in a fantastic leader. I am happy that the Member for Speyside would have quoted some poetry before and I want as I go through this contribution for us to contemplate on this piece of poetry: “I watch them tearing a building down; A gang of men, in a busy town; With a hoe, heave, hoe and a mighty yell; A swam of bees and a side wall fell; I ask the foremen, are these men skilled? As the men you will hire, if you had to build? He gave me a laugh and he said, no indeed; Just common labour, is all I need; I can easily wreck, in a day or two what builders have taken, a year to do.” [Desk thumping] This poem is entitled – “Wreckers or Builders” – anonymous author. Madam Presiding Officer, I want as I speak that we contemplate – are you a “wrecker” or are you a “builder”? [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, each time we come to this House and I had a conversation with the Minority Leader this morning and I spoke to him about it. I offered my counsel, I said, listen, just as the Assemblyman for Signal Hill/Lambeau would have said, around this Horseshoe we are in this together. We are part of the governance of the island. We are not here to act as wreckers but rather as builders. I must say and I want my colleagues to thump heartily on the desk that we have been building for the past nine (9) months a Tobago that our children and our children’s children can be proud of.
[Desk
thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, in the nine (9) short months I sat here and I marvelled at some of the achievements that we have seen to get on the way. From the point of view of the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, I must say, I am truly pleased to be working with someone with the peoples skills, someone with the experience, someone with the charisma as Assemblyman Sheldon Cunningham, my Representative. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment is where it all happens. As we all call it no matter what name we give to the Division, Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, it will always be, “Works” and we are here, to make it work for the people of Tobago.
Madam Presiding Officer, I must at this time, commend the hardworking Members of staff of the Division, many of them who spend night and day, weekends to ensure that Tobagonians receive the kind of service that they need. In these trying times where the effects of climate change are impacting us now more than ever and we are seeing these impacts throughout the Caribbean, not only in super storms that we witnessed but in the heavy rainfalls in the coastal erosion, Madam Presiding Officer, these are dire times.
Madam Presiding Officer, whenever there is any challenging weather in Tobago, the Division of Infrastructure’s team whether it is 12.00 in the night, 6.00 in the morning, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, we are on the road. And I say, “we” very deliberately because there is never a time when the Assistant Secretary or myself just sits at home and picks up the telephone say what is happening on the road? We always get on the ground with our workers to see personally what is happening. Recently, in Bay Road, in Moriah, for example, the Assistant Secretary was sure to call me, “Well, we are going up the road at this particular time.” We were there exactly at that time because we had to see for ourselves what exactly was happening on the ground.
And it speaks to the type of
leadership that is necessary. It is not just about doing it for the likes. Facebook, we have to head out on the ground feet to the streets. We have to
show that we are willing to do what it takes to lead Tobago to a place where we are no longer just comfortable doing the same old. To a place where we know that we have to be accountable for our actions; to a place where we know we have responsibilities and we are serious about those responsibilities. Madam Presiding Officer, in the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment in the last Fiscal Year, we would have poured over eleven thousand (11,000) tons of Asphalt, eighteen thousand (18,000) cubic meters of concrete. All in the name of development here on this island of Tobago. As I drive around the island sometimes and cognizant of the impact of the environment and weather patterns in the rest of the Caribbean and Tobago sometimes, I go to some places and I say, “Thank God for the Division of Infrastructure.� Because some of the retaining walls and the drainage and some of the roads that are in place have prevented sometimes serious and critical damage to life, property and so on. Madam Presiding Officer, it is heartening to see that the Lambeau bridge is well on its way to be completed and that Tobagonians can expect that in February, well inside the construction period there would be a brand new bridge to ease the traffic in and out of the Scarborough area. [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, I can say with assurance and I was almost disheartened by some of the misleading comments or some of the misleading comments that were made when we spoke about promises being made and not being delivered. The Roxborough Administrative Plaza was promised during the election campaign in January this year and I am pleased to announce to this House that construction has begun. [Desk thumping] Two Police Stations in Tobago, promised before the elections in 2010 – put on the backburner. 2015, back on the front burner. 2016 we are getting things going. 2017 ground is broken – two Police Stations are being constructed here in Tobago. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, it is a sense of dishonesty when Members could go around and saying nothing is being done and nobody cares about them. I was happy to sit down in a meeting with our Representative on the Board of the Airport Authority and he introduced me to the Consultants for the new A.N.R. Robinson International Airport Terminal. I am pleased to report that construction would begin in the near future because we are looking forward to this type of development in Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, as we move forward and I am happy that Councillor Faith Yisrael would have asked, “So what are we going to do differently.” Yes, we have to be different and as was mentioned before, the
Chief Secretary in his wisdom, he would of said to the entire, Council, Listen, we need to do some scenario based planning - five percent (5%), ten percent (10%) fifteen percent (15%). We are looking at cuts from last year and we would have engaged the technocrats in our Divisions in an exercise that proves to be more than useful considering that now we are faced with an approximately ten percent (10%) reduction in our budgetary allocation. It means that we are not caught off guard, it means that we would have already started putting things in place for each scenario. I will go through some of them in my Division. Understanding that we are facing a ten percent (10%) cut, already we would have understood that we have to increase efficiency because our inputs are very important. We know that Hardware Stores provide the material that we need to deliver on some of the projects or many of the projects that Tobagonians are serviced with. So, we understood that part of the reason that we have to pay high prices for material is that we are very inefficient in our accounting practices at times. We would have agreed almost immediately that, “Listen, this has to stop”. Let us have the conversation with our Suppliers; let us have training for our staff, let us have Desk Manuals (and the Deputy Presiding Officer, spoke to that) so that we increase our efficiency in our Procurement and Accounting Units: so that we are able to pay our suppliers on time. Thereby giving us a level footing to negotiate with our supplier’s “Listen, we will pay you on time if you give us the material at a competitive price”. So far Madam Presiding Officer, I can say that the training is schedule and is well on the way.
We will have Desk Manuals prepared.
There will be a Works
Academy or Stewards at the Divisions Conference Room, engaging our workers in several areas of training including gender sensitization. We
understand that in today’s work environment, that that issue is very important and the Secretary of Health Wellness and Family Development would have alluded to that and we have to be very careful that our workers understand the rudiments of relating in the work place in a healthy respectful way. I am sure that the Unions who are part of the organization would be happy to hear that the Daily rated Union the National Union of Government Federated Workers (NUGFW), Public Services Association (PSA) for the Public Servants and I am sure they will be happy that we are trying to protect our female workers in particular from any type of potential abuse.
Madam Presiding Officer, as I move on motivating our employees is very important as well. One of the things we would have done and I always commend the Assistant Secretary for doing that. Whenever there is any people/personnel issues I always say you know what, the man for that is Mr. Cunningham.
He has a way of getting the best out of people. Mr.
Cunningham is on the floors very often and is something that we do. As Secretaries you walked the floors of your Division very often, to let our employees know, you are not in this alone. Once we keep the morale of our staff up, we are able to increase productivity, and we are able to ensure that we get the very best out of them. Another thing that we are working very astutely on is signing off on the permanent list. This has not been done for five (5) to six (6) years. Madam Presiding Officer, once the permanent list is signed, then we would not have to worry about “daddy’s team” anymore because we will be sure that each team will be well equipped with enough labour. [Desk thumping]
The other input that we are very careful about, and I am happy that the Deputy Presiding Officer, spoke about it, is material, “Aggregate”. Madam Presiding Officer, I would have stood on many occasions in this very House in the Media and I would have explained time and time again that the Studley Park Enterprise Limited is a THA Owned Company – one hundred percent (100%) owned by the Tobago House of Assembly, one hundred percent owned by the people of Tobago. Members in this very House Madam Presiding Officer, would have attempted to stymie the change that we were trying to institute at the Quarry. Deliberately misleading and misdirecting the workers.
Madam Presiding Officer, there were some instances where equipment at the quarry was sabotage because some workers were misdirected again, to do things that are less than honest. But I am pleased to report that after negotiations with NUGFW led by the Chief Secretary, we were able to get pass several sticking points and signed a Memorandum of Agreement. It means that workers have been seamlessly redeployed. Let me repeat that Madam Presiding Officer, [Desk thumping] they have been seamlessly redeployed in other areas within the Division of Infrastructure Quarries and the Environment. No loss of earnings! No loss of benefits! They are still employed. No harm! No foul! What has happened however, is that the operations at the Studley Park Quarry have already been revolutionized.
Just last week the Plant ran for twenty-four (24) hours for the entire week. Twenty-four (24) hours a day the Plant can now run. That is one Plant
because the other plant has been sabotaged. As soon as we get that other Plant, we will have two Plants running twenty-four (24) hours a day. [Desk thumping] At the Studley Park Quarry producing aggregate right here in Tobago we anticipate that there is an aggregate demand for about four hundred and fifty thousand (450,000) tons in Tobago and seven hundred and fifty (750) tons in Trinidad. So, we stand to make as the people of Tobago, in excess of ninety million dollars ($90m.) in profit by the end of the financial year. Ninety million dollars ($90m.) going to the coffers of the Tobago House of Assembly, that will go back into the development of Tobago. This again was attempted to be blocked, stymied by Members of this very House. We talk about change.
Madam Presiding Officer, now that we have worked out that two (2) of the very important inputs:  Labour;  Material;
we understand that we have tweet that and we know how we are going forward.
I am pleased to announce that we have been working with the Maintenance Section because for those of you who may have been forgotten in Tobago, the Division of Infrastructure has some of the most skilled tradesmen on the island. As a matter of fact, despite all the complaints, whenever you are ready to build your house, bet your bottom dollar, your
Builder is probably an employee of the Division of Infrastructure, or the Electrician is probably an employee of the Division of Infrastructure. Even it is not in the Maintenance Unit, it is in Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) as was alluded to by Assemblyman Sheldon Cunningham, the Assistant Secretary in the Division.
But Madam Presiding Officer, the
Maintenance Section, we are pushing for greater accountability and productivity.
We have a Collective Bargaining Agreement which speaks to the hours of work. Again, I have been driving around sometimes 4.00 a.m. in the morning, and I have spoken to the Union about it already and we are going to get more and more serious with it, and I am seeing some improvements. We cannot have a situation when people are on the road 4.00 a.m. when the collecting bargaining speaks about 7.00 a.m. and people may start at 5.00 a.m., but people are cutting the road at 4.00 a.m. Where are the supervisors? Accountability is not only the realms of politicians, supervisors also have to be accountable.
The Deputy Presiding Officer, would have alluded to a situation that I went to recently. A family was left in distress after the rains and the team working adjacent to the family’s house. The Foreman was not even on the job, he called and said that; “Well fellas you all could go home�, leaving the family in distress. That cannot continue. We are Tobagonians together. All of us are in this together.
We have to realize that there has to be
accountability at each and every level of each Organization and each Division.
We are also looking at a case where we are sharing equipment now in the Division. We have gone to Rent and Lease arrangements to procure equipment. Fine! All well and good, but in order to control the ballooning cost, we are ensuring that:
Unemployment Relief Unit (URP) Unit; Maintenance Unit; and Development Units
we are now operating Under Shared System where we are able to procure sometimes one backhoe instead of three (3) to get the work done. Because we are now moving towards a more effective Project management level model, we are better able to schedule works and as such schedule the use of equipment. As a matter of fact, Madam Presiding Officer, one team is cutting in the morning, a next set of you would be cleaning up grass in evening. That is the kinds of things that we have to do in order to increase productivity and ensure that we have value for money for the people of Tobago.
Under the Development Programme as I alluded to before, this is where a lot of the action has to happen for the people of Tobago.
So we
recognized that it is time for new Policy to govern the Development Programme Madam Presiding Officer; We have to hold the programme on a whole to a higher level of service quality, a higher level of building standards and we have to ensure that projects are scheduled and phased accordingly, so that we are able to better manage the cost on each project and better predict the way things are done. We cannot have it that way, we are getting into November and projects are still ongoing when the rain start to come down. We must wrapped up our projects quickly before the rainy season start hitting us.
Madam Presiding
Officer, we are also moving to ensure that as we sign the Permanent List, we are able to redeploy some of the Development workers into the Maintenance Section thereby making further cost savings under the Development Programme.
Madam Presiding Officer, even while doing this, we have already engaged MIC and NEC to provide certification and training for our employees because many of them are tradesmen who are not certified in formal skills. We are looking to formalize these skills as we look to drive people towards greater entrepreneurship because we are quicker to hire a Certified Mason or a Certified Carpenter to work on our homes than somebody who just say, “I could do it for you.� Madam Presiding Officer, as we move into the new Financial Year, we recognize where we would have wanted to have all three (3) Milford Road
Bridges done. We can complete the Lambeau River Bridge and commence the Thompson River Bridge. Madam Presiding Officer, also the Milford Road Bye-pass which is going to be a three-phase project as we look to create a network of roads in the Smithfield/Sangsters Hill area up to Mt. Marie. We are now moving to ensure that we can do that project in-house thereby realizing further cost savings. The Milford Road By-pass Project – we are just going out to tender for the Engineering Survey. Once the Engineering Survey is done we can commence the construction of that road and as we look forward to the opening of the Scarborough RC School in the very near future. Madam Presiding Officer, in terms of the Development Programme, we also as the Deputy Chief Secretary and the Secretary for Finance would have mentioned. We also have the PURE Programme – the Programme for the Upgrade of Road Efficiency. We also have been allocated funds for the rehabilitation of the Claude Noel Highway. These are projects that we intend to take very seriously.
We have already started and completed three quarters seventy-five percent (75%) of the survey of the Claude Noel Highway because we want to ensure that when we start doing work that our Contractors are not trying to hoodwink us so we know for a fact when we say that you are going to be
resurfacing two kilometers there is predictability on the tonnage of asphalt that is going to be poured because we have to ensure that there is greater accountability even in the private sector and our contractors who are working with us. Madam Presiding Officer, further, in terms of the paving of roads, the Division is moving to procure through a lease arrangement, spreaders so that we can resume paving works in-house as well to supplement contracted work - thereby again realizing further cost savings with road works in Tobago. I know that road works in Tobago is a sore point. I want to reassure the people of Tobago that we have our finger on the pulse. Currently, we have put plans in place to embark on an aggressive Road Repair and Maintenance Programme because we realize in these difficult financial times maintenance may be the key to ensuring that we get the greatest yield. Madam Presiding Officer, to that end, we have been holding employees of the Division accountable. Because yes, you can blame the Secretary for a road having a pothole fine - I can take the blame my shoulders are broad for a reason but when if you have to be honest there is a Road Supervisor, there are Circulatory Road Officers, there are Road Foremen and each of them have a responsibility - Area Supervisors and the list goes on. People have been paid travelling month by month and we are not seeing reports coming in, so we would have decided that we are coming
down very hard on these employees. Employees have finally come on board and said alright we understand what you are doing, we have gotten as far as the dimensions of the potholes on the roads and the full quantities. The day is now done at the Division but I have left the Administrator going into talks to get the asphalt so that we can begin the road works for again for a scheduled and aggressive Road Repair Programme. One that is predictable and would provide relief to the people of Tobago so that there will no longer any complaints about pot holes on the road. To add to that, just Monday, we would have met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the new CEO of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) because the Division has an existing MOU with WASA for the repair of the roadway following WASA pipe works. There are several gaps that we would identified in the MOU and we would have agreed that in two (2) weeks time we will meet again to iron out all of these gaps so that we are able to have again, a more predictable, a more reliable response to road and asphalt disruptions. So, Madam Presiding Officer, we look forward to that Road Repair Programme.
Part of the drive under this Administration is to be more
innovative and especially when you have less, you have to innovate more. We recognize in the Division of Infrastructure that it is time that we start getting more and more innovative. A box drain is a box drain yes, a side walk is a side walk yes, but things have to be done differently.
Madam Presiding Officer, to that end, we will be moving ahead to establish a Traffic Management Unit in the Division of Infrastructure. We already have started having discussions with the Ministry of Works to share some expertise and some machinery and this Traffic Management Unit has already conceptualize and is rolling out a School's Safety Zone Programme. Signs have already been delivered to some of the districts and we could look forward around Tobago in the very near future and the coming weeks to see signs erected and speed bumps erected around different schools around the island. Another initiative of this Traffic Management Unit would be the synchronizing of the Traffic Lights. Unfortunately or fortunately, some of these Traffic Lights are very ancient it is almost like having Windows 98. So, the reality is, we now have to get updated timing equipment and apparatus for these Traffic Lights.
Madam Presiding Officer, we will be
moving ahead with this initiative as we seek to reduce wait time in traffic. We will be synchronizing traffic lights to ensure that traffic is able to flow a lot smoother or more freely especially on mornings and afternoons. This Traffic Management Unit would also be responsible for ramping up road safety. Already there have been mandated and are going ahead with some safety videos that will be shared with the public for the effective use of the roundabouts etcetera and this Public education will continue. Madam Presiding Officer, there have been discussions with the Ministry of Works and as the public may be aware, there are two (2) major initiatives to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2018.
Three (3) Traffic Cameras would be part of the first phase of the Red Light Camera System. Those would be at the: Wilson Road Traffic Light; Buccoo Junction Traffic Light; and Bacolet Junction Traffic Light.
These will be installed in the first quarter of 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, also three (3) roads in Tobago, the Claude Noel Highway, Shirvan Road, the Buccoo Auckenskeoh Road will experience an increase in the speed limit to eighty (80) kilometers per hour. All this while ... [Interruption] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Honourable Member your speaking time has ended. EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME Motion made: That the Hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes. [Hon. J. Jack]. Question put and agreed to.
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Leader of Assembly Business, your speaking time has been extended by a further ten (10) minutes.
HON. K. DES VIGNES: Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer, and I will keep my eyes on the clock. Other innovations at the Division of Infrastructure we are going to be looking into, “Green Engineering”. I am pleased to report that out of the recent trip to China, we have observed and were able to experience first-hand, some efforts in “Green Engineering”. We are now in talks on discussion to have our Engineers here in Tobago trained in some of these best practices of, “Green Engineering”.
Project Management is also very key, and the Division will be moving towards establishing a greater management approach to further optimize our scarce resources, labour, time and material.
Madam Presiding Officer, out of a recent invitation from the InterAmerican Development Bank, where I would have attended a Caribbean Coastal Resilience Forum at Nassau, Bahamas, an Integrated Coastal Management for Tobago is in the works.
This would be managed by a
newly formed Coastal Management Unit under the Division of Infrastructure Quarries and the Environment. In his wisdom Madam Presiding Officer, the Chief Secretary would have married, “Environment and Infrastructure” out of his realization that we may not be able to boast of having one hundred and sixteen (116) square miles of island paradise anymore. So, I am pleased to report that despite the notion that you can just throw some stones in the road and call it “A break water”. That is not the approach. There is a lot more scientific approach.
As a matter of fact, I must commend the innovation of the employees of the Department of Environment who would have in the Lucy Vale area use the Sargassum Seaweed to create berms.
Already based on the
measurements that they continue to do, they have seen sand replenishment already in that area. That is innovation Madam Presiding Officer. [Desk thumping]
So, we look to adjust our approach to a more scientific and green approach or marrying, “grey with green� more often. We are also doing this in the Studley Park area, Barbados Bay, as we look to begin exporting aggregate from the Studley Park Quarry.
As I mentioned earlier, Madam Presiding Officer, now that we have the responsibility of the Environment, I am very pleased to announce that the Division would have already began the process to engage members for the Northeast Tobago Protected Area Management Thrust. This thrust will be task with the responsibility of managing the environmental assets in Northeast Tobago including the Main Ridge, and the protected islands off the coast. They will also be task with the responsibility of overseeing the application for Northeast Tobago to be designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site by 2019. As we drive for a greater thrust in Tourism Madam Presiding Officer, you can well imagine the impact that having a designated World Heritage Site right here in Tobago will have on our tourism product.
We continue to engage stakeholders in a drive to phase out Styrofoam Water and Air Quality Test, we will be ramping up those as well and we will be doing more test in house particularly water testing as we seek to have more beaches in Tobago designated as being, “Blue Flag Beaches�.
Madam Presiding Officer, one of the major initiatives in the coming year will be the establishment of a Waste Oil Management System right here in Tobago.
Tobago produces about Four United States dollars ($4US)
barrels a day or two hundred and thirty-three thousand litres (233l) worth of waste oil annually. Most of this is dumped at the Studley Park Quarry, some of it is running down our drains and of course, into our water courses and uur seas.
As we seek to implement a four hundred and seventy-five
thousand dollars (475,000.00) US Plant which we are able to achieve or will be able to achieve through collaboration with other entities, we will definitely see an improvement in our water quality around the island.
Madam Presiding Officer, as we speak about collaboration, I want to really emphasize this point that now is not the time for us to get into our silos and think that my idea, is the best idea. Now is the time for us to collaborate, now is the time to bring our heads together, bring our collective wisdoms together to ensure that we are able to get the best results.
By that, measure Madam Presiding Officer, after sitting with the workers of the Division, we would have decided that Division would pilot the first Collection Recycling Programme for plastic bottles; and glass
bottles in Tobago. Whereby, we are hoping that each Division of the Tobago House of Assembly will able to adopt a similar Programme. Madam Presiding Officer, I just want to go back quickly to the Studley Park Enterprises Limited before I wrap-up. The question was asked and I am happy that the members return. What is the difference between this Company and any other Company? I say then, what is the difference between this Minority and the last Minority? Pumpkin houses or not! [Laughter] So Madam Presiding Officer, I will like to assure the public of Tobago that this enterprise has been developed with a very robust business plan that will realize the profitability for the people of Tobago. I also want to touch a bit on, “Volunteerism”. Madam Presiding Officer, the Chief Secretary, after coming through volunteer activity all his life as well, would have emphasized even before getting into the Election Campaign, that “Volunteerism” is the key. The Prime Minister has also said the same. So, it is no new idea necessarily to encourage volunteerism.
As a matter of fact just during the holidays, teachers would have volunteered their time to teach a Programme to bring some of the remedial students up to scratch. [Desk thumping] [Applause] This was led by the Chief Secretary himself.
So, Madam Presiding Officer, as I wrap us, I really want to encourage the people of Tobago to take stock. Everyone probably knows someone working in the Division of Infrastructure, encourage them do the right thing. Get into work at 9.00 a.m. now having breakfast, and then wanted to leave
for a two (2) hours lunch leave at 3.00 p.m. That has to be a thing of the past. Being our brother’s keeper, is not just about having my back when things are bad, it is about being able to say you are not doing the right thing. So, for example, I can say confidently to the Minority Leader, you are not doing the right thing, trying to encourage people not to endorse the Studley Park Enterprise Limited. I am being your keeper.
Madam Presiding Officer, I encourage each and every Tobagonian at this time to get to a place where we understand the importance of being productive; of being accountable; and being responsible.
Thank you. [Desk thumping]
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Minority Leader.
MR. WATSON DUKE: [Minority Leader] Madam Presiding Officer, Colleagues all of the Assembly, it is now 6.30 p.m. on the wall and I finally got a chance to speak.
Sometimes, we could lose our way when we drift too far from where we started. As a sea-filled man I can tell you that. I could tell a drift is on Madam Presiding Officer.
Where we started and where we are definitely
now shows a lack of direction. Allow me to bring this thing back to where we were at 10.00 a.m.
"WHEREAS the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in accordance with Section 41 of the THA Act 40 of 1996 debated, approved and submitted its Estimates of revenue and Expenditure for fiscal 2018 to the Cabinet; AND WHEREAS the precipitous decline in energy prices and its concomitant impact on central government revenues resulted in an overall reduction in the National Budget from ($53.5 B) in 2017 to $50
B in fiscal 2018; AND WHEREAS the implication of this reduction must be shared by all Ministries, institutions and citizens, including the Tobago House of Assembly; AND WHEREAS the allocation to the Tobago House of Assembly totaled $2.1936 Billion or 4.34% of the national budget; AND WHEREAS in accordance with Section 25 (2) of the THA Act, the Executive Council is mandated to do all in its powers to manage the affairs of Tobago and to advance the island's socio economic development;
BE IT RESOLVED that this House accept the policy measures recommended by the Executive Council to manage the financial resources of the Tobago House of Assembly for fiscal 2018 in order to continue the island's developmental thrust and to minimize any adverse impact on the people of Tobago; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this House support the plans of the Executive Council to mitigate against the challenges in the
national economy; and that all Tobagonians, in this critical
period, be encouraged to maximize productivity, service excellence and contribute to economic resilience as we seek to restore Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago to a path of sustained economic growth." This is the Motion coined by the Executive Bench. And I dare say, I was expecting to hear somewhere in their debate (because all of Tobago is listening and watching) the policy measures. I spend some time just making sure that I get the word, "policy" right. It mean a set of ideas or plan of action.
So what are the set of ideas or a plan of action that the Executive
Bench intends to put so as to manage the affairs of Tobago so that the island will continue to develop and that it will minimize any adverse impact upon the people. I have listened and I have listened and they drift and they drift and they drift. “Pankatang, yangatang,� laughter. Asking for ten (10) minutes to make fun. I have yet to hear valuable contribution save and except for Assemblyman Jomo Pitt.
Allow me to say this. I have been going through the book called, “The Estimates” etcetera.
When they started in June of this year they
started off with a big figure - five billion dollars ($5b.) - whoo!
I said,
“lower your gaze, yuh putting your gaze too high” - he said no, we will supplement it, we will borrow. Five billion dollars ($5b.) that is where this conversation started with a five billion dollar ($5b.) Budget. When Trinidad looked at it, Trinidad scuffed, Trinidad gave them two fifths of what they ask for. Two-fifths, not even half. Madam Presiding Officer, two-fifths.
The
hurtful thing about this is that Trinidad just did not give them two billion dollars ($2b.). Trinidad also allocated to them how the two billion dollars ($2b.) must be spent. They have not informed the House nor the people of Tobago how did Trinidad apportion that money? It is based on how Trinidad apportioned the money, we have called for the Budget to be redone so we can see how we could mitigate, (using those big words you like to use) how we can deal with the challenges that flows directly out of having reduced income and thus reduced expenditure. We are trying to deal with this in a very reasonable, conscious and civil fashion. But they keep hiding figures behind big words and “silly jokes” but I will lay it bear today in the House. Let it be bear - the naked truth is what I speak.
For instance, the Department of Finance and the Economy headed by Joel Duport Jack, he spoke for forty (40) minutes, ask for a next extra minutes. I ask what is going on here in this House? Are we doing some kind of Oral Examination we just keep talking, talking?
So, Madam Presiding Officer, allow me to find it here because I want to pull from this book directly where they refer to the Tobago House of Assembly. Here we have it right here. [Indicating]: The Division of Finance and the Economy they budged in June three hundred and fifty-five point four million dollars ($355.4m.). I said, “lower your gaze, lower your gaze.” You know what they got from the Central Government? That Department got as far as totality one hundred and sixtytwo million dollars ($162m.). Yes, less than half of what they asked for. Three hundred and fifty-five million dollars ($355m.) - you got one hundred and sixty-two million dollars($162m.). How are you going to use that money now to deal with E-DICOT and all these fancy Cassava Projects and what you call the big boat again? Capital of Paradise somewhere in Grenada catching sprats. How do you deal with that? That is what Tobago wants to hear about. How do you intend to reconcile what you ask for and what you got? You said that you were going to speak about policy measures but these plans or ideas must be laid bare before us as how I intend to, as how Jomo Pitt spoke. He said he wanted to do about thirty (30) fields - Hard Courts but the money we have cannot do that so we will just do two (2) or three (3). That is the kind of policy measures we want to hear not “old talk.” “Big old talk and big words” but we can reduce it to nothing. Even when the Government gave them one hundred and sixty-two million dollars ($162m.) the Government told them how to spend the money. The government said twenty-five million dollars ($25m.) must be used for
Personal Expenditure - paying people. So for the whole of this year you have twenty-five million dollars ($25m.) we wanted to hear what you got last year. How much you used to pay people last year and if there is a difficulty now in meeting it. How we could mitigate that. How we could lessen the hardship on the people. How we could continue developing Tobago. We want to hear that but no, rubbish coming from you all. For Goods and Services, the Central Government said I am allocating you forty-one million dollars ($41m.) out of that one hundred and sixty-two million dollars ($162m). We want to hear what goods and services you going to buy. These are the Policy Statements. What Policy Statements will guide you in buying goods and services? What? Old Chatter! Let me go to my agricultural friend he is not here. I know as they get older they could hardly take the pressure, they have to leave for long hours, taking a “siesta” or something like that or maybe a “fiesta.” In Tourism, let me go to Tourism she is here. The figure I gave a while ago, it was for Tourism - yeah. The three hundred and fifty-five million dollars ($355m.) was for Tourism.
Tourism was allocated, three hundred and fifty-five million dollars ($355m.), and they got one hundred and sixty-two million dollars ($162m.). That is my correction there on the hansard. Please correct that. The titles were a little bit wrong. In all, Tourism was allocated twenty-nine point nine
million dollars ($29.9m.) for Personal Expenditure.
What was the
Expenditure last year? Is it less? Is it more? Is it the same thing? How do we have to mitigate those expenses? What policy measure are you putting in place to treat with the difference? We want to find out.
Let me go back now to the Finance and the Economy. They wanted one hundred and eighty-four million dollars ($184m.) and they got ninetyseven million dollars ($94m.) One hundred and eighty-four million dollars ($184m.), they got half of that, and in their Personal Expenditure, it was twenty-five million dollars ($25m.). to deal with the shortfall.
We want to know, how are you going
How are we going to marry the thing together?
Big plans for tourism.
Major upgrade, to Speyside. All that they are doing in Speyside is changing a few light bulbs, repair a few old galvanize, and major upgrade. I ask myself what is major for them. If that is major, would they wait till 2021 to see real major? in 2021?
Wait!
Would you stand it? Could you see major development You will see major development in the latter quarter of
2021. By that time we would be in full steam.
They talked about things like they want to deal with Jazz and Heritage. No Policy Statement at all. None!
Last year they said twelve
million dollars ($12m.) for Jazz. How much would you put to Jazz this year, knowing that your budget has been cut? You did not even get half of your Budget. You are not saying anything on that that will guide you in Jazz,
whether you are going to use the same singers that you have here, the same singer’s thing that you all reject, in Tobago here. Would they use them? We have our local Jazz here, or you are still going to look for D’Angelo. These singers, bring “ex-layers” here from Jamaica to perform.
You have not said nothing about the Tourism Agency at all. Nothing about the Tourism Agency. We were expecting to hear something about that, nothing, Not a word! What is the Policy Statement on that, now that you have gotten less money? But you must now create an Organization that did not exists, staff it with a board, Chairman, full Chief Executive Officer (CEO) full everything, building. How are you dealing with that? Not a word! No Policy Statement on that.
Instead of engage in frivolity about
ship bringing one hundred thousand (100,000) people here, as if that translates into money. Does it?
Even if the cruise ships were bringing
money here, how much money each ship translates into? Nothing! Not a word! I would have gone through the Revenue book Estimates and there is no Cruise Ships labelled under Revenue. None!
Not a word on Sandals, based on their Leader. The Leader now say that Sandals has dropped Tobago to No. 5 on their list. Tobago have never been on their “hit list” at all. Never on their “hit list”. That is what we have to put up with in this place here.
Community Development, oh gosh. I am saddened today when I went by Brown Betty, [Laughter] today, and I am glad that I have caught their
attention with some level of humour because at this time of the evening, people get sleepy. Alright! It is good to know that they are alert, Madam Presiding Officer. When I went by Brown Betty for lunch, three (3) of us, we went there, we are supporting the economy, right we are not looking for the free food by the Assemblymen, we go and we support the economy, support the local people, I discovered the entire street was locked off. I say do we have Veterans Day? Do we have some type of state funeral or something? When I went inside there, she told me every time they have these sittings they lock off the entire street and her business suffers tremendously.
Madam Presiding Officer, through you, I will like the
Secretary of Finance and the Economy or the Chief Secretary, who is also responsible for Education, Innovation and Energy, that they must stop trying to force the small man out of business. But while I was at Brown Betty, I got another story that falls directly in the lap of my brother there from Community Development, Enterprise, Development and Labour. A man told me that the Secretary of Community Development came to visit a man with a Talapia Farm at Calder Hall in the presence of these people. They are witnesses. They came, they got some tips and they gave him a few tips. Then they came back a next time again, same month, this time bringing a strange man, they gave him a few tips and they took a lot of tips. But, as the man was about to go back (true story no lie) the man call the man with the Talapia Farm and said, “Why they did not give you the project”? He said what project that?
He said, “look”, and they called a
particular name of a man, I would not call his name here, a big shot in Tobago is about to build one of the largest Talapia Farms in Tobago, and he has simply gotten the idea from here and cross breed it to one of the biggest
Talapia Farm. Why are people doing this? Why are they stealing ideas from the small business people? If we are talking Enterprise Development, we must encourage thrift, we must encourage the businessman, do not go and steal his ideas. It is not the first time that I am hearing this. So on one hand you are starving business in Tobago, from legitimate business by blocking off the streets for no reason at all. On the other hand we pretend that we are interested in what people are doing but steal their ideas and try to outdo them, close them down.
Madam Presiding Officer, Community Development asked for one hundred and ten million dollars ($110m.), what they got forty-nine million dollars ($49m.) That is what they got. They told them how to spend the money. They told them fourteen million dollars ($14m.) for Personnel Expenditure. We want to know are you hiring more persons with that? Are you hiring less persons with that? What is the policy measures that you have in place to deal with the outfall because certainly they have gotten less than half of what you ask for? Tell us about that. Not a word! The man from Community Development, talking about building Community Centres, all kind of a talks, building community centres that he is talking about, and opening them all day, as if opening these communities centres whole day would have generated money. When you open a community centre whole day, tell us what is the plan? Are you educating people in it whole day? Again wasted opportunity. It is like they do not know what to do. They are just opening it whole day and boasting on that. I am opening it whole day. For what! What is the purpose? I was expecting to really hear policy measures from the young man. He had a lot of base in
his voice, a lot of drama. I enjoy hearing him. His echo will reverberate inside here. [Demonstrating] but his content was empty. It reminds me of Styrofoam, something the Leader of Assembly Business across there spoke about. Ninety-five percent (95%) hot air, five percent (5%) substance. That is those guys there. No policy measure at all. I have ten (10) more minutes, and I will do it in that time. I do not want no extra time. So he got less than half. Settlement, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities, my good friend, my brother, Clarence Jacob I admire him, he is trying he is doing his best. When he heard about not reading his speech, he put his speech down and try to play man, so he left out half of what was written there. But my concern again is, he asked for thirty-five million dollars ($35m.), but the Government gave him fifteen million dollars ($15m.) cannot even fix a roof on a house.
The last time that they spend money on the Chief Secretary house down there, the one that is now occupied by the new Chief Secretary, right, they spend five million ($5m.) dollars on the roof alone. For a whole Ministry, three (3) Departments, they gave you fifteen million dollars ($15m.)? I would have given the money back the money to them. Yet yuh giving out money. If people start to really come for money you have money to give them? Oh, we had given out money Grants you do not have to pay back. All kind of things - you want to put four hundred (400) houses down. Where that coming from? What is the Policy Measure? You want four hundred (400) houses, you want to give out Grants but how much Grants can you give out for the year? If you used to give out a hundred
(100) Grants but based on the money you got you can give out ten (10). Say that! And say what policy measure will guide you in seeking which ten (10). I like Brother Pitt, I like him. Because he said, see those three (3) or four Hard Courts, I am going to ask the Basket Ball Association, the Netball Association and they will guide me. Policy measure! But like the more they read - I will quote that scripture just now Brother Farley. What is the scripture in Peter? It says: "Ever learning and never able to come to the truth?" That is them people on this side big words - "verbous." Big words, big words. [Desk thumping] But, I will tell you something, they are verbous and vacuous let me put two “v,v,” “voom, voom” that is what you all are across there. Sounds just like “voom, voom, voom.” Verbous and vacuous, empty no policy measure. Only comrade Pitt alone gave something. I have about eight (8) more minutes I using all of it I want no extra time today. The man asked for thirty-five million dollars ($35m.) and got fifteen million dollars ($15m.) cannot even put on two roofs, cannot even change the roof twice on the Chief Secretary house. What you going to do with that? Talking about four hundred (400) houses you want to build. What is your policy measure, what is going to guide you, what is going to guide you? Nothing! Tobago is listening. Our role across here is to keep you in check, is to question you and challenge you.
Then we come to Education, Innovation and Energy - they ask for four hundred and ninety-eight million dollars ($498m), they got three hundred and sixty-two million dollars ($362m) and they told them how to spend the money too. Nothing again from them, nothing, nothing, nothing. They talking all kinds of folly about measuring the fat on children. What that has to do? When they gone to measure the fat on children, wait is that a Policy Statement, that is a policy measure? I would not even waste time on that area I think I will take some notes on that Education. How they put nine (9) Primary School with CCTV Cameras. I said, what that has to do with that? That is a Policy Statement?
The thing more
sound like a Manifesto on the political hostings. Oh, what they did, what they did, what they did. We want to know what you intend to do and how this shortfall of money will inform that decision. What policy you going to use to guide you. I keeping this thing simple for you all you know. Oh you hire five (5) new Curriculum Officers. How does that translate, how does it into a Policy Measure, to do what? Is that going to keep the cost down? You have gotten less money end of the game. You have gotten less what are you going to do? Fanciful ideas, I have five (5) more minutes to go. I using all of that. The Secretary of Health – well, every time she rise to speak is like we are dealing with someone who has to remind us that she has a Doctorate, she went to Leeds – self-promotion. We were looking for the promotion of Health, Wellness and Family Life but instead, oh, I went to Leads and where that come from? They asked for seven hundred and ninety-four million
dollars ($794m.). They got four hundred and seventy-one million ($471m.), almost half of that. I just hope that they could pay them RHA workers yuh know because when I put on my next cap as the President of the PSA (Public Services Association) you will know who represent because we do not want no late pay, no late pay at all, make sure you pay all of those Doctors, Nurses, Attendants, Morticians, everyone up there their right salary and pay them on time. Instead she gone talking about how lifestyle diseases, mental health, men's health, palliative care. What is a Policy Statement? What measures you going to put in place to ensure that the little money you get will make up? They busy to show off that they know something but they are not telling the people of Tobago how they intend to use this little piece of “kakada� they get from Trinidad. [Laughter] The little kakada, I want to make sure before they tell Tobago how they going to use that money and make things work they busy parading themselves like a peacock - show off, show off but Tobago will judge you. Tobago will judge you. On Monday I will be coronated for a third time as President of the (Public Service Association (PSA) I will invite you all. My friend, I have on no extra jacket but the only male inside here that requires an extra jacket I suggest that the Secretary for Health tell you about men's health. Your Secretary is older than you about twice times your age he has on no jacket you have on a jacket. You have on three (3) jackets. I am worried about you, I am worried about health.
So, we gone now to Food Production and Forestry. Three hundred and twenty-four million dollars ($324m.) You have a hundred and fortythree million ($143m.) Instead of talking about how they will make up again, how they will make up the shortfall because we ask them when they came with their five billion budget Brother Farley, we said to them, where you going with that lower your gaze - No, we will find money, we will find money." They come here and they have not given not one policy statement as to how they will deal with the shortfall or how they intend to enact all that they said they would enact. Boasting about eight thousand (8,000) seedlings, three thousand (3,000) orchard and crops, new tractors - is what? That is normal thing. So wait Tobago must get glad because they get two new tractors? We must start beating our hands and jump for joy? Come on, this is a House. This House is called “the Tobago House of Assembly” and I will just rest my note for a while and talk through to you all through the Presiding Officer. This House is called The Tobago House of Assembly and it is time that we get serious inside here. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” They cannot keep coming here, having a set of research person, legal counsel, they have office and not doing anything. Madam Presiding Officer, I cry shame today on the Chief Secretary, he came to this House and he lie to this House earlier telling the House he provide me with office and up to now I do not have an office, I do not have a
Secretary. I am talking about the policy measures. My time is not up as yet, I started half past. I have one more minute. [Laughter] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER:
Minority Leader, you cannot be
accusing a Member of the House of being a lier or lied. Okay, that is Unparliamentary. MR. W. DUKE: Okay, thank you. Please withdraw it from the Hansard. Madam Presiding Officer, the Chief Secretary came here and he was economical with the truth. He spoke one thing and did a next thing. I waiting for the keys to be given to me. Never got the keys yet but they are busy looking to move into a new building up the road. We will deal about that. Up to now people who want to visit me in Trinidad and Tobago as the Minority Leader cannot access me because there is no office. They continue to send mails all over the place for me, so I cannot receive the mails as Minority Leader and they sit and they happy with that. They happy with that. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to rest my case today. I am properly disturbed by the level of education and utterances that comes across from the next side. I wish to God that they utilize the resources at their disposal their Advisors, their Councillors whatever, and make good of this time. Tobago is watching, Tobago is watching. “To whom much is given much is expected.� MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Chief Secretary and Secretary for Education, Innovation and Energy. [Desk thumping]
CHIEF
SECRETARY
AND
SECRETARY
OF
EDUCATION,
INNOVATION AND ENERGY (Hon. Kelvin Charles): Thank you very much Madam Presiding Officer. I begin my presentation this evening by commending in the first instance, the Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary for Finance and the Economy for his presentation in respect of the Motion that is presented before us. HON. CHIEF SECRETARY (Cont’d)
At the same time Madam Presiding Officer, I also wish to commend those Members on this side who spoke in the debate for the quality as well of their presentation. [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, I was particularly heartened in respect of the contribution of the Assemblyman, Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside the latter half of his presentation. I said to myself, at last, finally, we are getting to the point where the Minority side recognizes that in the best traditions of the Westminster System, they really are in a sense the loyal opposition, and that at all Madam Presiding Officer, does not suggest that they cannot be constructively critical of the proposals that are tabled. I would wish to commend in his absence, the presentation of the Assemblyman to whom I just referred to the Minority Leader. In fact, he would have indicated that for him, our own Assemblyman for Lambeau/Signal Hill would have made the best presentation this afternoon. But perhaps I should say to him, that “Brevity is the soul of Width” because the Member only spoke for about twenty (20) minutes.
The Honourable Member in fact demonstrated quite lucidly how one can use an economy of words, and gets ones message across. I wonder really if the Minority Leader needed any time at all [Desk thumping] I wonder! But I do not intend to be uncharitable this evening. You would realize Madam Presiding Officer, that I kept my cool, simply because I felt that I have a responsibility as Leader of the Majority Side, to demonstrate behaviours consistent with good conduct in this House.
Madam Presiding Officer, I just want to take three (3) quick minutes to respond to a couple statements made by the Minority Side. It is indeed tragic that enough thought does not really characterize some of the utterances. The closing off of the street on the day that we have Plenary, is a fundamentally important exercise because apparently it has not dawned on the Minority Leader, that the Leaders of Tobago both on the Majority Side and on the Minority side are gathered in one place at a particular time and there is indeed a security risk.
But as the Secretary of Education,
Innovation and Energy, I would wish to have his colleagues advise him, that that is the major reason for blocking the street at a particular time.\ The other reason has to do with ensuring that those of us who are about the people’s business are not disturbed when we are on our feet. You would have recognize that you were not hearing the sounds of vehicles up and down as would normally occur.
Madam Presiding Officer, I wish to take seriously, the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside at his word when he says, that he recognizes the challenges that we now face and he is prepared to organize and mobilize his community to engage in voluntary activity all designed to further the development of his community. I commend him for that. That is the spirit in which we must undertake this very serious exercise of continuing to develop the island of Tobago in circumstances where the funding is not at the levels it used to be.
I take this opportunity Madam Presiding Officer, to remind this Honourable House and by extension the people of Tobago that we came to Government on a platform that says, we will seek to continue the development of the island and in doing so, we shall emphasize: Tourism; Agriculture; Specialized Services;
and that we will do so ensuring that undergirding those plans would be a:
Robust Education System;
Dynamic Health Sector;
Reformed Public Service; and
Hospitable but Productive people
That remains our charge, and over the last months, we have been busily prosecuting that direction. Over the next twelve (12) months, we shall continue to march forward holding aloft, our Programmes and our plans.
Interestingly, Madam Presiding Officer, Dr. Farrell in his presentation last week at the Economic Forum sponsored by the Division of Finance and the Economy endorsed that position. He indicated that Tobago really ought to concentrate at this time on Agriculture; and Tourism.
Madam Presiding Officer, when we would have presented our Budget in June, we had as the underlined theme, “Unleashing the Creative and Productive Capacity of Our people� and we are about doing that and we will continue to prepare our people. It is in that context and I wish to make reference to the Motion, which seeks to talk to the issue that all Tobagonians; we are calling them to action because they must be encouraged to participate in the developmental process by recognizing that we must increase our productivity; by recognizing that we must get to the point where we excel in our services and recognizing as well that these are some of the basic requirements the soft skills as it were or required to restore Tobago and by indeed, by extension, Trinidad and Tobago to a path of growth.
The Assistant Secretary in the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy did in fact outlined some of the policy measures as well as some of the actions that would have been taking overtime to continue to develop our people.
As I talk Education I just want to add to what she would have said Madam Presiding Officer, that the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute we would have taken the policy decision in the first instance of shifting it from the Division of Tourism, to the Division of Education, all designed to position the Institution to take its rightful place in ensuring that we provide the level of tertiary education to the people of Tobago.
May I say, that in
doing so, and in changing the Board of Directors, I can say to you that we now have a cadre of persons with the requisite skill; competence and Leadership required to transform that Organization.
As a matter of fact, as I speak to you Madam Presiding Officer, three (3) persons connected with that Institution as well as the Buccoo Reef Thrust which incidentally will eventually be subsumed under an Integrated University are preparing to travel to Miami to engage Professors in respect of a couple in Universities abroad to see to what extent we can collaborate and create Programmes that can benefit the people of Tobago. That is policy, that is education, that is plan and that is development. [Desk thumping]
When we decided that we would re-designate the Division of Community
Development
as
Community
Development,
Enterprise
Development and Labour that in itself was policy. It was also philosophical because it was strategic and it was designed to ensure that we use as part of our mantra going forward the community as a basis for the development of our people and our island.
Madam Presiding Officer, in respect of our empowerment of those communities, Madam Presiding Officer, I am happy to advise, that early next year we will begin to roll out a number of new and innovative programmes designed to give our people in the community a range of options so that they can position themselves if they so desire to become entrepreneurs and to participate in furthering their own livelihood as well as deepening the productive capacity of themselves and the island. Madam Presiding Officer, in that regard, I can say to you that having entered into discussions with the National Training Agency, we have agreed that some of our current personnel at the Division of Infrastructure will be trained over a nine (9) months period to become tutors so that they can assist these persons in the various communities to develop certain kinds of vocational and technical skills. That is policy, that is action and that is plan. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, we would have also indicated that there would be some emphasis placed on innovation and technology. Indeed, we would have indicated in our Budget Statement that TTIL would have engaged in a construction exercise designed to ensure that we brought on stream an Innovation Centre.
Madam Presiding Officer, I am pleased to
advise Members of this House that TTIL in respect of its plans for 2018 has decided inter alia that it would do the following:  It would seek Accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago to offer courses in Robotics;
Driver Programming; Web Development; and Graphics.
effective January 2019. [Desk thumping] Preparing our people, Madam Presiding Officer, to take their rightful place not only in respect of the country of Trinidad and Tobago but in respect of the Caribbean and the world. They would be partnering with COMSHA (Computershare) to obtain quality assurance for COMSHA Programmes by March 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, may I advise this House that the world's leading technical association is COMSHA. It, among other things:
encourages industry standards and sets industry standards; fosters skills development; generate technical knowledge and insights; and offers leading certification programmes.
All this is designed to ensure that those who attend those programmes will get world class certification and therefore, would be able to command high paying jobs in the IT Sector. They also plan to develop a Young Scientist Programme and that Programme is designed for children between the ages of three (3) and twelve
(12). So from early o’clock as we would say in this island, to direct their creative abilities and to allow them to take advantages of opportunities in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Madam Presiding Officer, as I say that, we have taken as it were the policy position that within three (3) years at our primary level our SEA students should rank among the top hundred students in Trinidad and Tobago. [Desk thumping] I would just make one additional statement. We proposed to establish an International Testing Centre and that Centre will provide a seamless transition between ICT Training and Certification. The Testing Centre is due to be certified by person view.
Certification Examinations in SISCO,
Microsoft and other vendor certification is due to commence in January 2018. Madam Presiding Officer, what I have just done is just to give you a snippet of the activities that will be undertaken at that Centre in the next Fiscal Year. Madam Presiding Officer, in that regard, let me take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China who through their Embassy in Port-of-Spain, did extend an invitation for me to visit China to be engaged in what is called, "The China Latin America and the Caribbean Trade Exposition." Indeed it was quite an eye opener. But more than that, we would have taken the opportunity to build relationships. Relationships
that are designed to further the aspirations of the people of Tobago and in one aspect we would have had a conversation with the Vice-Major of the city of Johi. And that conversation related to the possibility of Tobago twinning with Zohi because Zohi as a city has the same kinds of objectives as we have determined are appropriate at this time for Tobago in terms of education, in terms of technology, in terms of innovation.
Therefore, we will seek to
leverage their expertise as we develop our people. Madam Presiding Officer, the Member for Parlatuvier did make a fundamental point and that point was that we needed to “shoot straight from the heap.” I mean he was making the statements to be more honest but I thought he probably meant to be a little bit more open because for me you are either honest or dishonest. There is no in between it. But having said that, I applaud him because the time has come really for us to be honest even in this House. The Assemblyman for Buccoo did speak to the issue of crime and deviancy and that is an area for concern I shall not repeat it. He did also speak to the issue of productivity and customer service. In fact, as an island we need to pay attention to these issues. Consistent with that, must be our willingness to eschew mediocrity and to promote professionalism and of course that is also tied up in the wording of the Motion. But, I wish Madam Presiding Officer, to spend a little time on the whole issue of, “Brand Tobago”. Madam Presiding Officer, how much time do I have?
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: You have nine (9) minutes.
HON CHIEF SECRETARY: Nine (9) minutes before it gets to thirty (30). Alright! So, “Brand Tobago” and in that, I want to focus on the issue of negativity. I have made reference on more than one occasion to the whole issue of how we beat up on ourselves. It is important that we take note, because the truth be told, how we see ourselves is not necessarily the way others see us. Therefore, we must remember that we are in a global space and we are also competing with others for resources including direct foreign resources. The fact that we are at the point where we are debating whether Sandals is now coming, not coming, or has delayed its coming is critical and significant. For those of us on this side, when you are seeking to persuade investors to come to your island, one has to understand that how they perceive you, would be important. In our instances, some of the negative comments that came out did us no good. As I am on that Madam Presiding Officer, it is tragic, extremely tragic that the Minority Leader is absent. The Minority Leader is one who likes to make comments and to posit on unfavourable characteristics and characterization of others.
Madam Presiding Officer, coming through an analysis, Thursday 16 November, 2017, the Trinidad Express, “One that got away” Diana Mahabir Wyatt’s article. Madam Presiding Officer, I just wish to quote a few things. In essence the article speaks to a potential investor out of Toronto, Canada who came to Trinidad in an attempt to see whether they can set up an Information Technology (IT) Operation in Trinidad.
An operation that
would have generated at least three hundred (300) high paying jobs. But as faith would have it, when they landed, they landed on the day that it was one (uno) Immigration Officer at work. That is what they were greeted with when they came.
But they had come because they had set up an
arrangement with Diana Mahabir Wyatt to determine as it were, a kind of feasibility to see whether in fact Trinidad and Tobago was the place for their investment. I now quote one aspect of it: “Having waited in line for two hours and fifteen minutes to get through Immigration, the day before at Piarco they decided that any Commonwealth country where the laws against Civil Servants striking were so easily flouted, was not a country where they wanted to invest money.
Madam Presiding Officer, if you think that was bad, listen to this. While waiting in the line, they had heard that one of our local Union Leaders who they were told was really a long distance swimming calypso-singing politician, looking for political power in both islands had ordered his members to go on strike in the guides of taking of taking an unapproved vacation day.
This is not Kelvin Charles saying this. This is Diana Mahabir Wyatt writing in the Express.
These irritated potential investors ask to see the legal definition of what constituted an illegal strike etcetera in our country.
It gets even better or worse. There she was struggling to explain that there was a distinction between enacted laws and implementing them she said “He just looked at me coldly”. Diana speaking, “I was embarrassed”.
Then the finance person asked”
“What the other officials that had withheld their labour was asking for”?
Diana: I said weakly, that according to the Press, it was been called:
“A protest action by the political trade Unionist Long Distance Swimmer, to stop the government from establishing a T&T Revenue Authority to stop evasion.
He just did not believe me. In closing she said:
When I could not pursued them otherwise, they decided that T&T was not worth investing in, there are international standards that our clients demands he pointed out acidly and Trinidad and Tobago could not meet them. Finance people are so difficult, they are going to Barbados”.
The truth, the “naked truth”, he used that expression before he left. I am saying this should be pellucidly clear to all of us, if we in fact serious about the development of the country, notwithstanding where we now sit, there are some things that we ought not to do.
So, that the Member for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside as David Rudder would have sung when he said, the song about, “Haiti, I am sorry”. I am sorry that you have saddled. [Desk thumping] [Laughter]
Madam Presiding Officer, I know shortly you would tell me that my time is up, but I would start anyway and then I would be given the extended time.
I now turn my attention quickly to what is required in this time going forward. In other words, what are the characteristics of the responsible citizen in this time as we collaborate as was so eloquently put by the Member?
MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Honourable Member, your speaking time is up. EXTENSION OF SPEAKING TIME
Motion made: That the Hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by ten (10) minutes [Hon. K. Des Vignes] Question put and agreed to.
HON. CHIEF SECRETARY:
Thank you very much Madam Presiding
Officer. Madam Presiding Officer, one of the things that we had indicated in respect of the kind of citizen and more particularly, the kind of resident that we would like to develop on this island is one that demonstrates the characteristics of loyalty, patriotism and pride. So that at the end of the day, we can fashion a society that truly represents the best of us and that can lead us into being a kinder, gentler society. We would have indicated that part of our vision as well in trying to fund the kind of society we want that the Differently-abled must also be prepared to take their rightful place in the development of this island, to be part of the mainstream of its island and we were prepared to pay special emphasis to them and indeed the Secretary for Health would have mentioned that as well.
That Senior Citizens should be prepared to mentor our younger ones. Teach them in ways that would encourage them to engage in behaviours that are wholesome and behaviours that are healthy. Of course, volunteerism, key characteristic we think of the body-politic of the island. I think it was Kennedy (I hope I am correct) that said "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."
I think those of us who would have given ourselves to service humanity at this time need to encourage our citizens that this ought to be the new philosophy, this ought to be the metanoia, this ought to be the mindset because we in this House have the ability at this point to create history. We can transform the society.
In fact, Madam Presiding Officer, one of the
critical thing is that we have a number of young Members of the Assembly sitting here and the society that we inherit in the next ten (10), fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years would be significantly the society that they construct. I say to them, including the Members on the Minority side that if you blow this opportunity your children will not forgive you. They would not forgive you.
Therefore, as much as you see yourselves as the alternative
you also must recognize that there is a responsibility on your part that you ought not to take lightly. I suggest that you have a conversation with your Leader in that regard. We also wish that we would say over time a set of young entrepreneurs willing and ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work so that Tobago can once again rise. These are the attributes that we would want
to see of our Tobagonian. This must be the hallmark of the Tobagonian brand not only green and serene but there must be a new Tobagonian personality and you Request to Accept the Policy Measures Recommended by the Executive Council know, Madam Presiding Officer, there is this song, "Let there be peace on earth but let it begin with me." In essence, that speaks to personal responsibility. Fortunately, Madam Presiding Officer, I cannot sing, so I would not sing it. [Laughter] Indeed, some of us have various talents and we need to pull those talents up and use them. Yes. So some can sing, some can dance, some of course like to go for the dramatic flare and at the end of it nothing comes out. And of course, some can swim but they cannot fly. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, as I close, as I wind down, I say to all of us including the Minority side that Tobago must rise, Tobago must fulfil and realize its full potential. So I challenge the Minority side as their lead spokesman challenged us that we really need to collaborate in order to take Tobago forward and we on this side are more than willing. In fact, we have demonstrated just that because one of the things that I would have said on the campaign trail is that I am prepared to use talent wherever that talent exist. However, there were two (2) caveats one was the person had to be a professional and that the person could not undermine the Administration.
So once the Minority side is imbued with that level and degree of characteristics, professionalism and magnanimity as my friend and colleague just said, I can only see Tobago going forward. So, I say to you if you are serious and in fact, at this time I am prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. Let us join hands and let us go forward together, holding aloft our vision of a brighter, better Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, I thank you. [Desk thumping] MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Finance and the Economy. [Desk thumping] DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY OF FINANCE AND THE ECONOMY (Hon. Joel Jack):
Thank you, Madam Presiding
Officer, for the opportunity to join the debate at this time as we wind-up today's Motion. Madam Presiding Officer, after the Chief Secretary has so eloquently and so in a very sober manner during his discourse he has laid out this Administration's plans and policy focus over the next four (4) years what is left for me to say? [Desk thumping] [Laughter] But, Madam Presiding Officer, one of my favourite quotations is from John C. Maxwell: "Everything rises and falls on leadership."
What we have seen
demonstrated quite vividly this evening during the debate is a contrast, a golf, quality exemplary leadership that all of us can look up to and emulate and all Tobagonians and
citizens looking at us on the WorldwideWeb - be there in Trinidad, Internationally, wherever they may be - listening to the debate with keen interest as to what Tobago's focus will be and how we propose to manage in these challenging times with the limited resources I dare say, Madam Presiding Officer that they are indeed proud and they have seen leadership and they have seen lack thereof and we on this side have a reason to hold our heads up high and stand in support of our Leader looking forward to the next four (4) years. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, when one good leader follows another you know that your country, your island, your company is in safe hands. [Desk thumping]
What we have seen over the last sixteen (16) years was great
leadership and when you have another Leader taking up the baton and following in stride and running the rift ahead of him and providing this kind of quality exemplary leadership all of Tobago we have a reason to be proud, I want to say, “hats off to the Chief Secretary.� [Desk thumping]
Madam Presiding Officer, it was sometime in May, 2012, when the previous Chief Secretary indicated to me (at my Wedding Reception in Tobago, I cannot remember the date, you know men and dates) [Laughter] and he indicated to my spouse that you will have to lend your husband in service to Tobago. I had no idea that I was going to get into politics. That is what magnanimous and visionary Leaders do. I am so sorry you do not have that so, that is why you chuckled at the statement.
But Madam
Presiding Officer, he was the one who trusted me into Leadership and the sort of approach that we undertook to our work, the level of seriousness, the
level of focus, the level of dedication, with which we were to approach Tobago’s people’s business.
Madam Presiding Officer, the Honourable Chief Secretary is no different. When we came to debate today, we put in effort and work. [Desk thumping] We came prepared to treat with Tobago’s people’s business. What I saw on the opposite side, I am still shock! I am spell bound! I am seeing a pattern Debate after Debate, Motion after Motion; they lack approach to Tobago’s people’s business. I believe they owe all of Tobago an apology for fooling and wasting their time. I want to say thanks to my spouse and family for allowing me the time and effort to put in some of those long days, and to treat with the seriousness of Tobago’s people’s business.
I want to salute the Administration, Administrators and Technical team and senior people who also undergird and support our vision and our mandate and all the hard work they put in. When they sit and see the lacks approach, how are they to respond? How are they to respond?
I want to commend my Colleagues around and I have said it before and I coin the phrase, “the dream team”, with the team in 2013 to 2017 period. I want to commend all my Colleagues around this bench for their serious approach to this Motion for their serious approach to the people of Tobago’s business and how we will treat the challenging economic realities.
I commend all of you for your support and your contributions today and I believe all of Tobago, they are proud of you. [Desk thumping] Madam Presiding Officer, this is serious business.
We are in
challenging times. It is not about coming here talking loud and saying nothing about showboating in this Honourable House.
What we are facing as Dr. Farrell so rightly placed it in context, is a structural adjustment in the National Economy. Also, disruptions in the International Markets in the Energy Industry caused by Shale Oil and New and Emerging Technology.
So when new revenues of the Central
Government decline from twenty point nine billion dollars ($20.9b.) to two point nine eight billion dollars ($2.98b.) what this calls for, is a new approach and a new way of doing things Madam Presiding Officer.
That is why you know I heard a statement from Dr. Mc once, “that rough sea doh bother turtle picknee”. I want to quote from the book of Philippians Chapter 4: and Apostle Paul speaking. He says:
“I have learn in whatever stage I am therewith to be contend, I know how to be abased, I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things, I am instructed.” “He could do all things through Christ which strengthened me”. But the point is, that in changing circumstances and changing environments, they all require a different approach to treating with the issues.
Madam Presiding Officer, I went into detail earlier at 10.00 a.m. this morning and I would try to be as brief as possible as I conclude. What is required, is a focused approach to treating with the issue. That is why I indicated earlier, that we need a very focus and selective approach in treating with the current realities. We spoke about and they made a lot of talk about, “you all ask for this and you get this, how are you proposed to treat with it”. If you came prepared, if you looked at the Budget Statement in June, you would have been able to glean something to come and have some serious debate.
I want to challenge the young intellectuals on the Minority bench, Tobagonians expected more of you, more cogent debate; more intellectual ideas. I want to urge you to refocus and as young people say, “Wheel and come again”. It is a sobering time and a serious time for reflection. Madam Presiding Officer, when we looked at how we are going to treat with it, one of the issues that I did not get the chance to talk about this morning was the area of, “Borrowing”.
I want to thank the Honourable Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance for the sentiments that they echoed recently. The Prime Minister in a public event and the Minister of Finance in his Budget Statement with respect to Tobago getting the necessary access to borrow on the open market. I am excited about the prospects for that Madam Presiding Officer.
In keeping with that, we met with Moody’s earlier this year, and we are working out all the framework; all the issues. I am confident that in the first half of Calendar Year 2018, you will hear, we would give an update to the people of Tobago, we will account to them as we normally do, in terms of our direction moving forward as it relates to borrowing.
But Madam Presiding Officer, what we have also undertaken as well is to liaise and work with our multi-lateral partners. I spoke earlier this morning about the work that we are doing, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) in fletching out and Accelerating our Public Private Partnership Policy Framework that is in trained.
The Executive Council recently approved a Tobago Infrastructure Investment strategy which is a twenty (20) year Strategy Framework, broken up into four (4) year, five (5) year cycles. That is the sort of forward thinking approach of this Administration as we seek to accelerate this islands’ development. This is serious business Madam Presiding Officer. In that vein, we will continue to work with our Multi-Lateral Partners:
The Caribbean Development Bank; The International Development Bank (IADB); The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); The European Union; The Canadian Embassy; and
 The United Kingdom (UK) High Commission
as we seek technical assistance; as we seek support; as we seek the necessary assistance to implement a number of Development Projects. The Leader of Assembly Business spoke about some of the initiatives in treating with the impact of climate change and the mitigation measures to treat with sea level rise, and the impact that we are seeing especially around treating with coastal erosion and so on. This is where we can leverage our partnership with some of our multilateral partners and let me say, Madam Presiding Officer, of the confidence that they have repose in Tobago. It was last Monday lunch time and Monday evening, I met with the UK (United Kingdom) High Commissioner in the absence of the Chief Secretary and we also hosted a cocktail and we were talking about Tobago's business and how they can provide the necessary support and when you hear statements pulling down Tobago, when you hear statements contrary to fact and contrary to logic, Madam Presiding Officer, you have to ask yourself the question, are we living in Liberia, are we living in some of these basket cases that we have around the world? I want to echo the sentiments of the Chief Secretary and agree with him. I want to urge the Members opposite to temper your statements and to be honest in your discourse and not engage in political shenanigans and that
sought of thing. You are damaging Tobago, you are damaging the image of Tobago and you are significantly hindering the potential, the true potential of this island. Madam Presiding Officer, I am excited about the revenue enhancement initiatives and one (1) Member opposite spoke about the need for Revenue Enhancement Measures. We have spoken about them, they are in the Budget Statement. I mentioned two (2) of them earlier. I am excited about the prospects of the revenues at the Studley Park Quarry. It is no secret so trying to down play it is being again intellectually dishonest. The prospects are real, the business case analysis is sound and I remember it was either 2011 or 2012 when the then Indian High Commissioner Mr. Malay Mishra came to Tobago with a Report indicating all the minerals that are located up in the Quarry. Secretary Des Vignes probably we are selling the wrong thing, probably we might be able to mind some minerals that they might be able to use in Nassau Speeds Technology or something. But we have a “gold mine� here in Tobago and I think if we exploit the resources in a responsible and eco-friendly manner I think Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago stands to gain from this. Again, I want to commend the Union - Comrade Lambert and his team for their forward thinking approach. This is the sort of discourse, the sort of you know, that frank, open honest intellectual discussions that we
want to have. Not attempting to shut down a country and run off investors Madam Presiding Officer. But one important approach that I want to treat with Madam Presiding Officer, is our long term measures for diversification and development. My Colleague, Councillor Dr. Carrington mentioned it, in terms of the Government's Draft National Development Strategy for Vision 2030. Madam Presiding Officer, our Development Strategy, our Medium Term Planning Framework document comes to an end in 2017. While we fully agree and endorse Vision 2030 as the National Developmental Plan and we agree with its goals and objective we in Tobago, the Chief Secretary has already signalled his intent to start the process early in terms of setting up the framework that will see the launch of a Tobago, another Tobago Socioeconomic Development Plan moving forward from 2018 and beyond. Madam Presiding Officer, the substantive issues with respect to the Motion not only to treat with the funding shortfall but we wanted to treat with issues of productivity and service excellence. You know, we would have already indicated our intention in our previous Budget Statement. [Interruption] PROCEDURAL MOTION LEADER OF ASSEMBLY BUSINESS AND SECRETARY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, QUARRIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (Hon.
Kwesi Des Vignes): Madam Presiding Officer, I would like to move that the Sitting be continued until we disposed of the business of the Order paper. Question put and agreed to. HON. J. JACK: Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. I will be winding up shortly. Madam Presiding Officer, it is no secret that the Tobago House of Assembly is currently the key driver of economic activity on the island. In our last estimate looking at the Tobago economy, government expenditure and spending was responsible for forty-five percent (45%) of economic activity on the island. We want to encourage more robust private sector and the expansion of the private sector and our diversification efforts will be pivotal in this regard. While we are mindful of our role, we believe, Madam Presiding Officer, that it is time that the Private Sector really take up their mantle and really for them to be the key driver of economic activity. In terms of us increasing our contribution to national economic activity as the Chief Secretary indicated, we will focus on tourism and agriculture but we also want to see if we can play our part in looking at leveraging ICT enablers service. In addition to tourism and agriculture, in a Gender Innovation Centre we would like to see Tobago get into areas such as Business Process
Outsourcing and this is where the Tier 3 Data Centre will become important. My good friend, Assemblyman for Canaan/Bon Accord would have alluded to it earlier. Madam Presiding Officer, in addition to ICT Enabled Services, we will continue our focus in attracting investments to Tobago's Tourism Sector. While the Sandals deal might be delayed a bit, we have a responsibility in treating with the twenty-five hundred (2500) to three thousand (3,000) room stock gap that we have here in Tobago. Madam Presiding Officer, we are working towards it in term of attracting foreign direct investments to Tobago and especially as it relates more specifically to the tourism industry and you will be hearing more about this earlier in the 2018 calendar year. Madam Presiding Officer, I just want to touch on two (2) points mentioned by the Assemblyman for Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi/Speyside in terms of a Poverty Study that he mentioned. I hope Sir, you were not quoting the most recent Study because when we sat down at a Consultation with the principals of that study we indicated to them that based on the expenditure of the Tobago House of Assembly that their information was wrong, it was flawed that they had to go back to the table. I was recently informed that after an independent review, that those old figures that you may have quoted, that there was in fact an error in the methodology and they had to restate those facts and figures. So, fact:
1.
So just be mindful that you might have the need to get an update report on that Poverty Study Report, you may
have
quoted;
but fact:
2.
While you may have been quoting numbers in terms of the poverty levels of poor persons in Tobago who might be
below a
certain rate, what you also failed to indicate as well, and
you
ignored the fact that this Administration from 2001 to
now and
moving forward in spite of the economic
challenges that are
facing us.
and we have always
We have always provision for
ensured that the poor and vulnerable
that they have been catered
for. We will continue to do so
moving forward as one of our
policy measures to mitigate
against any impact of the current
economic challenges.
So please be guided accordingly as well Sir. As it relates to our partnership with the Central Government, I think my Councillor Nadine Stewart Phillips would have corrected the erroneous statement‌ [Crosstalk] in terms of what took place with the old commitment given under the People’s National Movement regime, and the need for a new Airport Terminal for Tobago. This is where we could have been magnanimous on both sides. There are some things that we need here in Tobago to remain competitive in the Tourism Industry. We have to join together and speak with one voice and articulate the need for certain
important infrastructure projects.
So, I was heartened when I saw the one
billion dollar ($1b.) Estimate in the Budget to be expended by Ministries under the Central Government. If we look at all the projects that we have here in Tobago, as a yardstick by which to judge the previous delivery, Madam Presiding Officer, I am confident, very confident that we will see a number of those projects executed here in Tobago.
If Cove is a reality, because if we have natural gas landed at Cove because of our relationship with the Central Government, the same party in Trinidad, the same party in Tobago, I am confident that we would see a lot more projects undertaken here in Tobago because of our partnerships.
If in
fact, we have a Dual Powered Electricity Generating Plant in Tobago which at the time when it was commissioned was novel gave us excess capacity I am also hopeful that we will see a lot more mega projects.
If in fact, when I am leaving here to go home in a couple minutes, I am driving past the Shirvan Police Station under construction. They have already broken ground and they are digging the foundation, I am hopeful that we will see a number of those projects executed here in Tobago. If you are clamouring for us to monitor them a little bit more, I have no objections, but if past relationship is any gauge as to what is happening in the future, I am very confident of our partnership and our relationship with this current Central Government.
Not a relationship based on, “Disrespect� where
someone will come up with a proposal or a programme and throw it on your
lap and say, “Hey take that run with that”. That is why I am fairly confident of our relationship that we will have a number of projects.
When we came in 2013 and we outlined our need for tourism investment, and none was coming, I termed Sandals, “A Game Changer”. Any Game Changer Madam Presiding Officer, to increase economic diversification; to increase the economic transformation of this little Tobago, we are in support of it here on this side. Madam Presiding Officer, I think I will deal with one (1) more issue. I promise you this time.
You know Madam Presiding Officer any O’ Level student of Accounting at the Secondary School, would know about, “opening and closing balances”, would know about, “inflows and outflows”, and how transactions will impact on accounting balance. So, to pull a report in a sort of surreptitious manner, and intimate or indicate that we have money hiding somewhere in some other account, again I expected better from Members opposite. Please we have nothing to hide on this side.
Madam Presiding Officer, again I would urge, let us be intellectually honest.
I am using those words deliberately. Let us be honest in our
attempts not for “political charade and shenanigans”.
We have a
responsibility when we took an oath, “without fair or favour or ill will”, to undertake the business of the people of Tobago, with a certain level of
civility; professionalism; and dedication and I would urge the Members opposite so to do. Madam Presiding Officer, I want to take my seat now. I want to again thank the Chief Secretary for his Leadership and all my Colleagues for their support given today. All of Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago, they are depending on us. I want to agree with the Chief Secretary, what we are doing in the next ten (10) fifteen (15), twenty (20) years will be off the scene. We are laying a platform for the next generation and the generations to come. We have a duty of care to do so with passion; with honesty; with integrity and with seriousness, and may God bless all of us!
I thank you very much. [Desk thumping]. Question put and agreed to. MADAM PRESIDING OFFICER: The motion is carried. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made: That the House do now adjourn to a date to be fixed. [Hon. K. Des Vignes] Question put and agreed to.
House adjourned accordingly.
Adjourned at 8.13 p.m.