TPP leader: Young Tobagonians must return home

INTERIM political leader of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) Farley Augustine says his administration is working feverishly toward creating job opportunities so that the island’s young migrants could return.

Delivering the feature address on Sunday night at the launch of the party at the Milford Road Layby, Scarborough, Augustine outlined a suite of measures, which, he said, were aimed at elevating the quality of life of Tobagonians.

He lamented Tobago’s high emigration rate.

“We also are committed to every Tobagonian having opportunities to self-actualise in Tobago….I must make it my duty to find a way so that every Tobagonian can self-actualise. You should be able to do so right here on the island of Tobago,” he said.

“When we look at Tobago’s outward migration rates, extremely high. and that is because people say, 'It eh have nothing here for me to do and what I staying for?' But I am saying we will soon be calling you back home because Tobago is providing opportunities for you.”

Augustine, who is also the Chief Secretary, said the THA intends to implement systems to enable Tobagonians to enjoy a standard of living superior to anywhere else in the Caribbean.

“We cannot have a THA for 40-plus years and the THA cannot create in Tobago some one-per-centers. Our people must rank with the best anywhere in the world. And so your levels of income must improve.

“While in Trinidad, Cabinet is sitting down to decide if they will give a raise in minimum wage and how much the minimum wage will now be, since last year the THA raise salaries for CEPEP, URP and development workers to facilitate a higher standard of living. We didn’t wait on Cabinet in Trinidad to do it.”

Developing a highly educated and innovative population is also on the drawing board, he said.

“That is why we does dig up and find the money and get cuss when the money late. But we does scratch and pull from all over to send our young people to university.”

Augustine said Tobago’s economy must become “technologically-driven, productive, innovative and resilient.

“For that to happen. the private sector must grow. and we have to support each other and each other’s businesses.”

He added the THA has already begun the process of creating an efficient, effective and accountable public service.

“I love my public servants dearly, but we have to so work with them to ensure that they become more efficient and more effective and more accountable in doing their jobs.”

Augustine said since he assumed office, there had been significant progress across all divisions.

He said over $43 million has been spent on school repairs, “the most spent by any administration,” while more than $25 million had been spent to pay out to teachers.

Augustine claimed the assembly, under his leadership, has “given more scholarships to more young Tobagonians than any other administration in the history of the THA.”

He said every contract teacher has an up-to-date three-year contract.

“We are not here for the flams and to launch a new symbol and colour, but we are here to tell you that despite the noises, your island government has been working for you.”

Augustine, who said the island has also made significant advances in health care, added Tobago must return to the days when it protected and cared for its most vulnerable.

Alluding to the shooting death of vendor Allison “Bling Bling” Ballah last week, he said, “The Tobago where people gunning each other down in the back of a mall is unheard of in Scarborough…The Tobago I know is not a Tobago where we commit murders. We have to change our course and ensure that we take care of the most vulnerable among us.”

He said Tobago needs a population that is “peaceful, united, safe and secure.”