Duke: Tobago far from okay

UPDATE

MINORITY Leader in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Watson Duke hit back at Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy yesterday for comments she made during last Friday’s sitting of the Lower House, in which she claimed that initial reports of major suffering due to the collapse of the seabridge was greatly exaggerated.

Speaking yesterday, Duke said while he remains disappointed with Webster-Roy’s statements, he is not surprised, and accused Webster-Roy of being out of touch with the needs of Tobago’s people. Referring to her light-brown complexion as “sponge cake colour,” Duke said this was indicative of her disconnect with most of Tobago and its people. Duke, who also serves as assemblyman for Roxborough, part of Webster-Roy’s constituency, said many people in that area have seen a drastic reduction in their quality of life because of a scarcity of basic goods. “The shade of Ayanna’s skin, that sponge-cake colour is reflective of the fact that she has not spent much time out in the sun. Everytime we see her she is well-scarfed up to her neck and she has lost touch with the common man on the ground. We are both from the same village and I can safely say she has lost touch on the ground. “There are people who want basic things done and that shows the degree of suffering in Tobago. So when she says people are not suffering, she has to be referring to her PNM friends, because they are still feeding from the trough.

“But those who are not PNM are losing their jobs and being given half-month’s salary. I can say to you, she has lost touch with the people of Tobago,” Duke said. He also hit back at Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, who he said should be relieved of his ministerial portfolio for his decision to commission the Trini Flash water taxi for use as a ferry between the islands.

He said it was unwise of the minister to make such a decision without doing the requisite checks to ensure passengers’ safety and the vessel’s ability to manage rough seas, especially when passing through the Bocas. “The vessel should have been thoroughly checked and given a sea trial on the Atlantic waters. But to my knowledge this was not done. “Is the boat insured for that type of journey? These are the questions no one wants to answer,” Duke said.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Minority leader in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Watson Duke hit back at Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy this morning for comments made during last Friday's sitting of the Lower House in which she claimed that initial reports of the state of conditions in Tobago in light of continued challenges along the sea-bridge, were exaggerated.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Duke said while he was disappointed in her statements he was not surprised as he claimed Webster-Roy has been disconnected from the plight of her constituents and does not understand the challenges faced by citizens as basic necessities have become increasingly scarce due to transportation issues.

Newsday also spoke to President of the Inter isle Transportation Committee of Tobago Chamber of Commerce Diane Hadad who said she was clueless on the matter. Citing the closure of Republic Bank's Tobago Branch today Hadad said the issues in transport has hit Tobago's business sector especially hard as there have been reported increases in worker absenteeism.