Panellist: Tobagonians unhappy over THA deadlock

Motivational speaker Julien Skeete believes prayers may be the only solution, in the foreseeable future, to resolve the six-six deadlock in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

He was a guest on a virtual panel discussion on Thursday night, which reviewed the impasse.

The discussion, Why Are We Still Stalled?, was hosted by Tobago CivilNET.

Other panellists were independent senator Maria Dillon-Remy and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Dr Faith BYisrael.

The PNM was invited, but declined.

The discussion was moderated by Dr Stephen Sheppard, CEO of the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute.

A programme co-ordinator at the Division of Sports and Youth Affairs, Skeete lamented despite some efforts, the deadlock remains unresolved, almost three months after the January 25 THA election.

He said it appears the politicians are putting their interests before those of Tobagonians.

“I have to start on that premise,” he said. “And I feel if we appeal to that higher being of the Almighty God, it might put us into more of a perspective to recognise that if we put the people first, we might be more inclined naturally to recognise that we must find a solution, ultimately.”

Skeete, who was the PDP’s choice for THA presiding officer after the election, said Tobagonians are unhappy with the deadlock.

“The average Tobagonian, whether you are PNM or PDP, or whether you cannot care less about what is happening in the politics – you are uncomfortable with the fact that we are stalled. That is the average Tobagonian.”