Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has called for unity and partnership between Trinidad and Tobago to rectify what he has described as a long-standing historical injustice against Tobago’s pursuit towards self-governance.
Addressing the private event A Toast to the Nation on Independence Day yesterday, at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Augustine said, “We (Trinidad and Tobago) are still very much an incomplete project. It is difficult for me to stand here to give a toast to the nation, being hosted by the THA Assembly Legislature, and standing in the presence of seniors in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) who served before I was born, and not highlight the fact that as a country one of the things we must still work on is ensuring that there is equity and justice in the constitutional framework that will ensure that Tobago gets the best kind of autonomy that it needs.”
Augustine called for the whole country to join in completing this part of the project, creating a sense of fairness and justice for Tobago and its people.
“And so at 61 years, while we celebrate this project that is incomplete we must encourage the country as a whole to complete this part of the project whereby Tobago and Tobagonians feel as if a historical injustice is actually made right,” Augustine said.
He said he remains hopeful in his belief that at 61, Trinidad and Tobago is still a work in progress.
He further emphasised that despite the challenges the country currently faces, there is still hope for further development.
Comparing the age of a human being to that of a nation, Augustine argued that 61 years is comparatively young, and therefore there are still opportunities and room for growth and improvement.
He’s confident that Trinidad and Tobago is far superior and in a much better position than it was 61 years ago and highlighted the progress made throughout the years and the dedication of the country to constantly strive for improvement.
He said the nation was able to survive and adapt to difficult circumstances, ultimately emerging stronger.
“We raise our glasses that we have been able to survive global shocks like the recent pandemic. Last year around this time people were still wearing masks.
“We lastly raise our glass to the fact that we are committed to getting it right and to seeing this project called Trinidad and Tobago through,” he said.
Augustine reaffirmed his commitment to Trinidad and Tobago’s development, envisioning Tobago as the “greatest little island on the planet” and the “greatest little country on the planet.”