1 week ago
4
Senior Reporter
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has issued a warning to his secretaries, telling them that when he is given the authority to increase their numbers, he expects that within nine months they either produce or be pruned.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday, a day after he was sworn in for a second term, Augustine said, “I will be giving every secretary I appoint just nine months to start to prove yourself.
“If in nine months, they don’t prove themselves, I’m just removing you and putting somebody else. Because at the end of the day, when the delivery doesn’t happen, everyone looks at the Chief Secretary. I am not secretary of all I survey, but I am secretary of all secretaries that I appoint.”
Augustine also laid down the law, saying that, whether or not the necessary approvals are granted, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will go ahead with its planned projects.
“I’ve already said on the platform that I have no patience with State agencies that are tardy in doing their work. I’m saying clearly, if EMA tardy, if Town and Country tardy, I will move on with or without them. Let them carry me court, let them try to stop me. We will fight that then, but the delivery must happen!”
Some of the projects Augustine outlined are the Early Childhood Centres, playparks and the Scarborough Secondary School.
With a sweeping win taking all seats in last Monday’s elections, Augustine said democracy will not be eroded as he hired former procurement regulator Moonilal Lalchan for three months, to create regulations for all procurement under $1 million.
He said he will have legislative changes made to allow public accounts meetings to be broadcast live, with supporting staff and technology available to have the Hansard ready in a timely manner.
With no opposition, Augustine said questions will come from the public and recognised cooperative bodies.
“You’re not just asking the question, but we will want to have it on the website, see how many Tobagonians actually want that question answered, and we will set some limits so that there is a bar to be crossed so that it doesn’t become disruptive and that people just find a way of including nonsensical questions.”
And in keeping with his plan to make Tobago the best Caribbean island, Augustine said the THA will lead by example and stop purchasing vehicles using fossil fuel.
He also announced the establishment of a task force to advise the assembly on energy consumption, as he hopes to make the island green and serene.
Also, part of his vision for the island is the strategic development pathway, which will take Tobago into 2045 with a blueprint for the first five years already completed.
On the issue of autonomy, Augustine said the new Division of Legal and Intergovernmental Affairs will be charged with developing draft legislation to be taken to the people for consultation, before it is presented to Parliament. He said it is hoped that this approach will be thorough enough so that the bill gets support in Parliament.
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