The Joint Select Committee reviewing the Tobago Self Government Bill (2020) has sent its preliminary recommendations for public review and comment.
This from Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Finance and the Economy Joel Jack at the post -Executive Council media briefing on Wednesday.
Jack said the JSC recommends the revision of the existing bill and another bill to complement it.
The existing bill -Self Government Bill 2020 - is to be renamed The Constitution (Tobago self- Government) Bill (2021).
“To guarantee legal certainty, the JSC has proposed that the Tobago self-government bill be revised and accompanied by the Tobago Island Government Bill (2021),” Jack told reporters.
The Finance Secretary said the committee also recommends an annual minimum increase of Tobago’s budget to 6.8 per cent and the Fiscal Review Commission be given powers to grant additional increases to the budget. The commission is also a part of the bill.
The recent fight for autonomy began afresh in 2013 by then Chief Secretary Orville London. Before him, men like APT James fought on the Tobago Legislative Council and ANR Robinson later on.
In 2013, London and Hochoy Charles- Platform of Truth led discussions on the island’s autonomy. Tobago Organisation of the People leader -Ashworth Jack briefly joined the discussions.
The leaders formed the Forum of Political Parties, held a series of discussions across the island, and collected contributions from Trinidad. Out of the consultations came a draft bill, approved at the Plenary Sitting in October 2016 and sent to Cabinet in 2018.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley set up the JSC to examine the bill and make recommendations.
Major proposals of the bill included changes to the legislative and administrative arms of the Assembly.
The bill proposes the number of Assemblymen increased from 12 to 15, councillors from three to five, led by a President. The ruling party will have three councillors and the majority side two. These form the legislative arm of the Assembly.
It also proposes the head of the name of the Executive Council is changed from Chief Secretary to Premier, as well as an Office of the Assembly Legislature, Office of the Premier, and Office of the Secretary of Legal Affairs.