Charles: Scarborough is getting attention

KINNESHA GEORGE-HARRY

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles has dismissed criticisms by Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) political leader Ashworth Jack that the Government is not interested in developing Scarborough, the island’s capital city.

Speaking during a public meeting, hosted by the members of the Tobago Liberation and Empowerment Team at Milford Court, Bon Accord, last Saturday, Jack referred to Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s recent presentation of the Mid-Year Review in the Parliament.

Imbert had given Tobago permission to borrow up to $300 million. He also announced in the Mid-Year Review the Government is borrowing $1.4 billion for housing projects in Port of Spain and San Fernando.

Jack lamented, "One of the features of any town is people living in the town, and part of Scarborough's problem is that Scarborough's indigenous population is much too small. It is pushed up into Darrel Spring and up on the hill. It means that as soon as business hours finish in Scarborough, everything shut down because there is no indigenous population."

Speaking with Newsday via telephone on Tuesday, Charles said urban development is part of a division in the THA, which encompasses the Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities.

“That means (Scarborough) is getting some attention, but not only Scarborough, but Roxborough as well,” Charles said.