Charles: Don’t frustrate Tobagonians’ dreams

TOBAGO House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles has called for discussions on the Tobago island governance to not be one that frustrates the people of Tobago.

He was speaking on behalf of the Tobago Forum of Political Parties as the JSC for the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill 2018 met with the Director of Personnel Administration Debra Parkinson and other officials yesterday at the ANR Robinson room, Parliament Building, Port of Spain.

He said the officials had contemplated veto power for positions in a proposed Tobago Service Commission remain with the Prime Minister in consultation with the Chief Secretary.

“For us in the forum we do not agree with that formulation. We think the rationale that exists for the veto power in the context for a person in TT is the same rationale for Tobago and that the veto power should exist in that arrangement.”

Charles said discussions should he held with bodies like the office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) but he stressed the context was important.

“In those discussions the focus ought to be on facilitating the arrangements for the Tobago island government rather than limiting and frustrating the aspirations of the people of Tobago. That is the context that ought to drive this.”

Charles said that people who have exercised power for any length of time would be loath to give up such power and he expressed hope that would not be the tenor of the conversations going forward.

Political leader of The Platform of Truth Hochoy Charles said the problem with numbers and mobility of officers in Tobago was because the appointment of the administrator in Tobago was at such a low level where nobody aspires to take the position. He stressed the administrator by law is an accounting officer but was lower than a deputy permanent secretary.

“We need to fix it. If you fix that you don’t have the problem that we having today and the administrators will be appointed.”

JSC chairman Camille Robinson-Regis said that was an anomaly and the committee would ask the CPO to address it.

Public Service Commission executive director HR management Margaret Morales said there were 1,704 offices established at Tobago House of Assembly and 647 filled permanently with 509 acting. She added the commission did not deal with contract employees.

JSC member Saddam Hosein asked why there were so many acting officers and whether a Tobago Service Commission could cure the issue. Deputy Director of Personnel Administration Marcia Pile-O’Brady said from time to time offices were advertised and no one was qualified or, after an interview, no one was found suitable. She added there were situations where positions were advertised in Tobago and no one was qualified in Tobago and the person in Trinidad who was qualified did not want to assume duty in Tobago. She added promotions also created vacancies.

“We cannot advertise and fill fast enough.”