Accountability before autonomy for THA Published: Friday, September 12, 2014 I write to concur fully with the letter of Ms Joanne Hall (September 10) of La Horquette, re Tobago. Like many domestic tourists, my wife and I also look forward to escaping to Tobago as often as we can; so like Ms Hall, we also make it our business to be concerned with the affairs of Tobago (as we are so concerned with the affairs of Trinidad). Before autonomy is considered, Mr London and the THA must be called to account, especially after numerous billion-dollar budgets, and—more important—no Auditor General’s report since 2006. Tobago as a tourist destination (both domestic and foreign) is lacking badly; for example, in many areas, both Scarborough and Crown Point are indeed shabby, ramshackle and unkempt. This is a serious indictment on the managerial skills of Mr London and company, and both Tobagonians and Trinidadians should let them know this in no uncertain terms. There is no excuse, especially when one considers the tremendous infrastructural and tourism product development of nearby Caribbean islands; and with much less resources at that. Clearly, Tobago is inefficiently managed, and Mr London and company must accept responsibility, stop blaming the central Government, and “shape up and put up,” or “shut up and ship out”! Why must we be lesser than Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines? And there are many others. The difference is that these islands know that their daily bread depends upon efficient and sustainable management of their limited resources. At least for the sake of our future generations we must quickly learn to appreciate our more than limited resources, and ensure that we have efficient management, conservation, growth and preservation of them. We the citizens must place the THA “under the microscope” with the same gusto that the detractors have placed the present central Government. We must demand delivery and accountability! After all, if one is unable to govern efficiently with oversight, how then can one be entrusted to efficiently govern autonomously? Where are the outstanding Auditor General’s reports? Where is the Scarborough library? As a former teacher Mr London, one would have thought that would have been an urgent and top priority for you. The cost overruns and delays re the Shaw Park cultural complex are totally unacceptable, as are your house rental ($45,000/month) and official residential renovations ($5,000,000). Ms Hall is absolutely correct; Tobago is “same old, same old,”, and indeed a comparative regional embarrassment. I am of the view that many issues need to be examined and resolved, before the question of autonomy is finally decided upon. In the meantime, Mr London and the THA need to remember that Tobago represents only two of 41 constituencies and that there other equally important and overdue needs in other constituencies and government ministries, and quite frankly, the minister has been more than equitable, all things taken (not just statutory). Vinda Ramsingh Maraval Letters Source:: Trinidad Guardian The post Accountability before autonomy for THA appeared first on Trinidad & Tobago Online. #trinidad
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 09:02:24 +0000
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