Imbert: 'Highest priority' for Tobago Self-Govt Bill

Finance Minister Colm Imbert on Monday promised Tobagonians that the Self-Government Bill which lapsed in the last parliamentary term, will be given the "highest priority in this new legislative term."

In concluding his budget speech about Tobago, Imbert called on the Opposition to support the bill when it returns to Parliament.

He said, "It is our sincere hope that we would get the necessary bipartisan support of the Opposition as we seek passage of this critical piece of legislation for Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago in order to deepen the democratic process and to provide greater autonomy to the people of Tobago."

The failure of the PNM-led government to deliver on a promise to pass the bill in its last term was a major talking point by the Watson Duke-led Progressive Democratic Patriots in the last general election. The THA elections is constitutionally due in 2021.