The THA Secretary Trevor James urges immediate negotiations with Trinidad regarding Tobago’s maritime boundary to safeguard its energy resources and ensure local benefits from taxation. Highlighting the economic disparity caused by energy exploitation, James argues for the self-determination rights of Tobagonians and the necessity for equitable political representation. This reflects broader historical tensions in governance and autonomy within the region, particularly following a failed autonomy bill.
Trevor James, Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), is urgently calling for negotiations to establish a clear maritime boundary between Trinidad and Tobago. During a Facebook live session, he emphasized Tobago’s significant natural resources and the need for direct tax benefits from energy companies operating in Tobago’s waters, such as those in the Iris Block and Poinsettia and Orchid fields. James argued the importance of controlling these maritime resources as their depletion over the next 30 years could have dire financial implications for Tobago.
As the debate on the autonomy bill commenced in Parliament, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine proposed amendments advocating for a Tobago Fund. He suggested that all entities conducting business in Tobago should pay local taxes, fees, and duties. However, the bill failed to pass, garnering only 21 votes from government members against the necessary three-fourths majority required, indicating substantial political contention surrounding Tobago’s autonomy.
James stressed the urgency for Tobagonians to assert their rights over maritime resources, urging negotiations as equals with the central government. He pointed out that other nations had engaged in such negotiations and criticized Trinidad’s dominance in their relationship. He highlighted the United Nations’ recognition of self-determination as a crucial human right, underscoring Tobago’s need for respect and equitable resource management.
In his research preceding his boat trip, James discovered a CIA map from 1969 illustrating a median line between Trinidad and Tobago, which he stated reflected international acknowledgment of the islands’ divisions. He addressed concerns over using a CIA map by asserting that their reports, while not governing, are derived from local leadership input and international perceptions.
James criticized the historical treatment of Tobago by Trinidad’s political leadership since the collapse of the West Indies Federation in 1962, claiming it has complicated and undermined Tobago’s autonomy. He expressed frustration over the disproportionate wealth generated by energy companies in Tobago’s waters, emphasizing that residents struggle with basic needs despite significant profits being made. He called for equal representation to secure Tobago’s rightful share in its resources.
Stressing the need for unity, James declared, “Let us be truly equal” and urged Tobagonians to resist political manipulations that ignore their rights and needs. He reminded voters that Tobago existed autonomously before the 1889 union with Trinidad and asserted that fair representation in Parliament is crucial for achieving Tobago’s goals and securing its future resources. James is preparing to run for election as part of the Tobago People’s Party, aiming to influence Tobago’s representation.
This article discusses the ongoing political and economic discourse surrounding Tobago’s maritime boundaries and resource management. It highlights the calls from THA Secretary Trevor James for independence in negotiating maritime borders with Trinidad and the push for local taxation on businesses within Tobago. The broader context includes historical tensions in Tobago’s governance, recent failed attempts at autonomy legislation, and the economic implications of natural resource exploitation in Tobagonian waters.
In summary, the push for establishing clear maritime boundaries for Tobago is driven by the need to secure economic rights and autonomy. Trevor James advocates for immediate negotiations with Trinidad, emphasizing Tobago’s historical significance and the urgency to protect local resources from depletion. With continued tensions and the recent failure of autonomy legislation, the future political representation of Tobago could play a critical role in addressing these issues.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
