SATURDAY NEWSDAY..JUNE 22, 2 K 13 $21M made in TT interceptors boats By CLINT CHAN TACK Saturday, June 22 2013 PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday announced that the National Security Council (NSC), which she chairs, is considering a proposal from the Coast Guard for the purchase of four high-speed inboard diesel interceptor vessels at a cost of $21 million. She said if the proposal is accepted, the interceptors will be made by local manufacturers but asked for the identity of these manufacturers, she said it would not be “prudent” for her at this stage, to reveal the identities. Persad-Bissessar said the vessels and 12 Coast Guard interceptors, the latter of which Cabinet has authorised to be refurbished, will bolster marine security in both Trinidad and Tobago. She made these revelations during a joint press conference she had at Tower D, the International Waterfront Centre in Port-of-Spain with Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London. London welcomed Persad-Bissessar’s statement of additional maritime security for Tobago but said a national crime plan which does not take Tobago’s “unique situation” into consideration will not help reduce crime in the sister isle. He welcomed a commitment by National Security Minister Emmanuel George to meet with the THA in two weeks. London also disclosed that he will submit a document to Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar by the end of next week which could lead to greater internal self-governance for Tobago. “We have come very close to having this issue resolved and it would be very unfortunate if this group of political administrators don’t get the job done,” London said. He expressed confidence that the “process that I am putting on the table could lead to a resolution where we can get the bill into Parliament where the people of Tobago and the people of Trinidad can commit to the process,” London said. Unlike what happened with the now scrapped Constitution (Amendment) Tobago Bill 2013 in Parliament before the January 21 THA election, London was hopeful by the time this document reaches Parliament, it will be in an environment, “that is not as adversarial as during the last time and therefore we will have an opportunity to bring closure to it.” Noting Persad-Bissessar’s commitment to achieving greater internal self governance for Tobago, London said, “What we have agreed on, it is the how that is giving us some problems and my process is dealing with the how.” London said this internal self governance for Tobago should not be subsumed in the national constitutional reform process because, “we are mixing a predictable with a highly unpredictable.” “The process for internal self governance in Tobago is predictable and can be managed,” he said, “but the constitutional reform exercise is by definition unpredictable.” He also said he was heartened by Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal’s announcement at the same briefing that active consideration is being given by the Finance Ministry for an accelerated housing programme in Tobago. Moonilal said the details of this programme will be fleshed out after the THA presents its budget on Monday and subsequently debates it on Thursday. “The housing thrust in Tobago has lagged behind when compared to that in Trinidad. It is simply a matter of funding,” London said. He was also pleased that Finance Minister Larry Howai has agreed to discuss financing arrangements for Tobago in July, before he presents the 2014 Budget. “Under the THA Act, we are supposed to present that budget final allocation in first week in July,” London said. He explained that what currently happens “ is more an exercise in arithmetic and not in development.”
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 14:28:13 +0000
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