Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced plans to remove the three ships of Christopher Columbus from Trinidad and Tobago’s coat of arms and replace them with the steelpan, the nation’s iconic musical instrument.
The announcement was made during the People’s National Movement (PNM) special convention over the weekend.
Rowley, who is also the political leader of the PNM, revealed that the change is expected to be finalized before Trinidad’s Republic Day on September 24, with a six-month transition period to allow for updates to stationery and other official materials.
“You see them three Columbus ships in the emblem? They will go. Since we have enough votes in Parliament to do it, I could announce now that as soon as the legislative adjustment is made—and that adjustment should be made before the 24th of September—we then over a six-month period will replace Columbus’ three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña, with the steelpan,” Rowley stated.
He added that the gradual transition will ensure that existing supplies of stationery and other materials are used up before the new emblem is fully implemented. This move, according to Rowley, is part of a broader effort to remove colonial symbols from the country’s constitution.
“And for logistical purposes, that will take place over a six-month period, allowing us to consume the stationery and other things we have in place and be replaced by our new intention and that should signal that we are on our way to removing the colonial vestiges that we have in our constitution and I hope that we start with that and we end up getting up and no longer being squatters on the steps of the Privy Council,” he said.
The proposed changes reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to promote national identity and cultural heritage by moving away from colonial symbols and embracing local traditions.
