How to fund the repair of Tobago jetty

THE EDITOR: I understand from an article in a daily newspaper that the picturesque, not to mention utilitarian, Parlatuvier jetty has partially collapsed. Further, that its need for repair and maintenance had been made known to the Tobago House of Assembly for several years. No effort was directed toward this important rural project and now the middle of the jetty has collapsed.

The Division of Infrastructure recently stated that it is communicating with Nidco to have the jetty repaired, but that "the project was put on hold as the THA sought the necessary funding."

A press conference was due to be held on Monday to "discuss plans for the reconstruction of the Parlatuvier jetty and several other issues."

I was not present at the press conference and so wish to offer some suggestions for funding the important jetty project.

The first, and most obvious one, is to locate the ropes and associated nuts and bolts purchased to build the now-infamous zipline. I read somewhere that the executive council of the THA paid for these items. Thus they are the property of the THA.

Although there is no zipline in Tobago there could, through the sale of this paraphernalia, be a jetty in Parlatuvier. Possibly the Secretary for Health could pursue this funding effort.

If the above suggestion is not received favourably, my second idea is equally good: offer for sale the silly “I Love Tobago” sign on Milford Road in Scarborough. Some wealthy collector of kitsch would no doubt grab such an item. These funds, too, could pay for the reconstruction of the pretty and useful Parlatuvier jetty.

A BLADE

via e-mail