Manning commits to $500M Tobago fund

A copy of this document, along with a copy of "A Comprehensive Economic Development Plan for Tobago (2006-2010)," was formally presented to the Prime Minister during a ceremony at Blue Haven Resort, Bacolet, Tobago yesterday.

Among those in attendance were Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London, and Secretary of Finance/Planning Dr Anselm London, who made the presentation to the PM, as well as other senior members of the THA and senior public servants.

Manning’s entourage included Legal Affairs Minister Camille Robinson-Regis; Local Government Minister, Tobago-born Rennie Dumas; and Tobago West MP/Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stanford Callender. In his address at the ceremony, Manning noted that as a prime minister he had been accused of "many sins."

"They have attempted lately to add to those sins, the allegation that I do not respect the legitimate aspirations of the people of Tobago, then with respect I will plead not guilty," he declared.

Manning pointed out that the ceremony yesterday was the culmination of an exercise which represented an "important intervention" in the economic development of Tobago, and the unitary state of Trinidad and Tobago.

He explained that the task force which prepared the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan was put together in early 2002, "even before we formalised our arrangement in the context of our vision for developed country status for Trinidad and Tobago."

The Prime Minister asserted that, apart from establishing the committee, the Government "took no part in determining the priorities" outlined in the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan.

"It is unlikely, however, that we will make any significant adjustments to those priorities; the people of Tobago have spoken through their representatives, and unless we see something that is blatantly in discord to the national aspiration — which I doubt we will see — then the plan will stay as is," Manning stressed.

"That will stay as is, and we will adopt the plan (Comprehensive Economic Development Plan for Tobago 2006-2010) as the policy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago," assured the PM.

Dealing specifically with the question of the special development programme for East Tobago, which includes extensive reconstruction/repair of areas devastated by Hurricane Ivan and the November rainstorm, Manning told THA officials: "We will just have to see how we are going to mobilise those resources to ensure that Tobago’s development does not fall behind, and Tobago does not fall behind."