T&T government moving to grant further autonomy to Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago government Friday presented legislation to Parliament seeking to amend the constitution to grant further autonomy to the island of Tobago within the context of the sovereign democratic state of Trinidad and Tobago.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley told Parliament that the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self Government) Bill, 2018 would be sent to a Joint Select Committee (JSC), adding that he hopes “it will be received and advanced to the satisfaction of all the people of our beloved Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, particularly our brothers and sisters in Tobago.”

Legislation developed

Rowley said that the JSC should report to the Parliament by July 31 this year.  He said the legislation had been developed “after a very long and transparent process of research, extensive public consultations and a genuine desire to advance and improve the process of granting further autonomy to the Island of Tobago within the context of the sovereign democratic state of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Rowley, who gave a historic overview of the relationship the two islands have shared over a number of years, said that 120 years after the union of Trinidad and Tobago “it is opportune that the basis for advancement of the sovereign democratic state is reformatted.

“The amendment of the Republican Constitution which establishes the present foundation is necessary to provide the autonomy which Tobago requires. This will allow Tobago to play a meaningful role in the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as to advance and align Tobago’s development towards the attainment of Vision 2030.”

Rowley said that the document had been developed as a “policy document for the enactment of legislation to advance the process of self-government and autonomy for Tobago.”