[UPDATED] Duke: ‘We’ll ensure Tobago hates him’

PSA president Watson Duke       PHOTO SUREASH CHOLAI
PSA president Watson Duke PHOTO SUREASH CHOLAI

PUBLIC Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke said if an apology is not made in a timely manner, he will begin a hate campaign against Maharaj and everyone who subscribes to his rhetoric.

Duke, who is also Minority Leader in the Tobago House of Assembly, spoke at the PSA headquarters on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, yesterday morning, dismissing Maharaj’s statements as filled with hate and seeking to build further walls between the people of TT.
He said Maharaj is making light of a situation in Tobago where there are not enough resources, facilities or job opportunities, while disregarding the fact that there are many highly productive Tobagonians working in Trinidad because of fewer opportunities in Tobago.

Duke said Maharaj was using one incident of violence to define all Tobagonians, in spite of all the negative things happening in Trinidad.

He was responding to Maharaj saying, “You see a white girl there, you rape she, you take away all she camera, everything.”

In response to Maharaj saying Tobagonians visit Trinidad only to shop in the markets, Duke said, “All Tobagonians want is to live in a country where there is tertiary education. Where you don’t have to fly to Trinidad to go to the general hospital. Where you can go to (the) Children (‘s) or Industrial Court, and a country where you can deal with matters of energy and gas. If you need glasses, ID card, land to register, register marriage – you have to come to Trinidad.”

Newsday contacted Maharaj for a response to statements made by Duke. He said, “I will respond to Watson Duke at a time of my own choosing, through a medium of my own choosing. Let the season of good will pass, and I will respond.”

This story was originally published with the title "Duke: 'We'll ensure Tobago hates Sat'" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.


In response to statements by Maha Sabha secretary general Sat Maharaj, Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke said if an apology is not made in a timely manner, he will begin a hate campaign against Maharaj and everyone who subscribes to his rhetoric.

Duke, who is also Minority Leader in the Tobago House of Assembly, spoke at the PSA headquarters on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, this morning, dismissing Maharaj's statements as filled with hate and seeking to build further walls between the people of TT.

Maharaj, in a video which is being circulated on social media, said, "Nothing going correct in Tobago. Six out of ten of them working for Tobago House of Assembly, getting money from Port of Spain.When they get a job they go half past nine, and stop to go for breakfast. The rest of them, able-bodied men – they don't want to work at all. Run crab race, run goat race and go to the beach hunting white meat."

Duke said Maharaj is making light of a situation in Tobago where there are not enough resources, facilities or job opportunities, while disregarding the fact that there are many highly productive Tobagonians working in Trinidad because of fewer opportunities in Tobago.

He said Maharaj was using one incident of violence to define all Tobagonians, in spite of all the negative things happening in Trinidad. He was responding to Maharaj saying, "You see a white girl there, you rape she, you take away all she camera, everything."

In response to Maharaj saying Tobagonians visit Trinidad only to shop in the markets, Duke made said, "All Tobagonians want is to live in a country where there is tertiary education. Where you don't have to fly to Trinidad to go to the general hospital. Where you can go to (the) Children ('s) or Industrial Court. And a country where you can deal with matters of energy and gas. if you need glasses, ID card, land to register, register marriage – you have to come to Trinidad."

Newsday contacted Maharaj for a response to statements made by Duke. He said, "I will respond to Watson Duke at a time of my own choosing, through a medium of my own choosing. Let the season of good will pass, and I will respond."

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"[UPDATED] Duke: ‘We’ll ensure Tobago hates him’"

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