Tobago PNM ready to work with PDP on THA power sharing

THE People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council has presented a memorandum of understanding to the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) which it hopes will be a template for managing the island’s affairs until a solution to end the deadlock in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is reached.

This follows the PDP’s proposal, last week, to share power with the PNM in the assembly.

It came after the Prime Minister’s meeting with the 12 THA assemblymen on March 3 at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands.

The PDP said it was willing to give the PNM the positions of chief secretary and presiding officer.

The party said they would take the positions of deputy chief secretary, secretary of finance and two of three councillors allocated to the executive.

The remaining secretarial positions would be split down the middle.

The PDP gave the PNM one week to consider its proposal.

On Thursday, the PNM issued a statement recommending the PDP provide a candidate for the post of deputy chief secretary, deputy presiding officer and be allocated four secretarial positions in THA divisions and one councillor.

The party also said it will provide the candidate for chief secretary, presiding officer and hold four secretarial positions.

Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine said both parties must still meet to “discuss other points we have proposed for an agreement, but when we meet those elements will have to be ironed out.”

Davidson-Celestine said the PDP, in its proposals, breached some of the clauses of the THA Act.

“For example, the Act does not allow for equal sharing of councillors in the manner prescribed by the PDP, and the PDP draft MOU has not clearly indicated whether there is an intent on the part of the PDP to have a minority leader. We are hoping that we can working through the difference and hammer out a working arrangement.”

She said the assembly needs to be reconvened.

“Tobagonians deserve good governance without the pain of adversity of a deadlock. We are happy we can start a serious conversation with the PDP on the way forward. Now is a time for maturity, civility, level-headedness and fairplay.”

Davidson-Celestine said the PNM is willing to work with all the key players to realise the passage of the Tobago Autonomy Bill by the Parliament “and return to the people and polls under the new legislation.”

She added: “Should we have agreement with the PDP, we hope to have a working arrangement for six months or so – the length of time we expect it would take pass and enact the self-government legislation.”

In the meantime, Davidson-Celestine said, “we get to flex our political minds to come up with some creative ways to govern.”

She said both parties have a duty to recognise the six-six tie and give due consideration to sharing administration of the island.

“We must evolve with the process and the new demands of this impasse. We want to be fair to voters and we must embrace the opportunity to work together under the current deadlock.”

Davidson-Celestine said she knew not everyone will understand and support the process.

“It is a new concept to most. We just want to ensure that this is done in a civil, fair and respectful manner.”

The PDP confirmed it received the PNM’s proposal around 10.49pm on Wednesday.

“We are grateful that they agree, in principle, with the need for an amalgamation for the purpose of advancing Tobago’s economy,” the party said in a statement.

The PDP said it would have reviewed the proposal “so that a response can be provided in a timely manner.”

Up until news time, the party did not respond to the PNM’s counter proposal.