There will be no Independence Day Parade, official Government functions, or State-sponsored fireworks display in Tobago to commemorate T&Ts 63rd anniversary of Independence.
The from the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly.
In a release on Saturday, it reminded the public that, in keeping with Fridays announcement by the Government, these events have been replaced by a national day of prayer and reflection due to the current state of emergency (SoE). The Office of the Chief Secretary said as national security is listed as a Sixth Schedule matter under the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Act No 40 of 1996, the THA has no responsibility for, nor authority over, national security. The decision to call off this years Independence Day celebrations therefore rests solely within the purview of the Central Government. The THA, however, stands guided by the national security intelligence provided on the matter, and will continue to align its decisions accordingly. After the Executive Council of the Tobago House of Assembly meets on...August 20, as is customary, the Chief Secretary Farley Chavez Augustine will outline Tobagos plans for observing the day with the public, the release stated.
Further details on the National Day of Prayer and Reflection in Tobago will be provided in a subsequent announcement, it stated.
Minority Leader of the Tobago House of Assembly, Kelvon Morris, joined other citizens in expressing disappointment over the cancellation of this years Independence Day Parade.
He is calling on the administration to reconsider its decision and reinstate the parade. In a release, Morris said, The Independence Day Parade is far more than a spectacle. It is a cherished symbol of national pride that unites us across race, creed, and class.
While we respect the value of a Day of Prayer, such an observance can be held on any other day without displacing this central tradition. Morris noted that there was no objection to the administrations stance on fireworks, which has always been a subject of public debate.
However, the parade remains the heart of our Independence Day celebrations, and its cancellation is a disservice to the many citizens who were eagerly anticipating it, he added. The Minority Leader also raised concerns about what he described as contradictory reasoning behind the cancellation.
On one hand, the public is told that the nation is safe and that freedoms remain secure. On the other hand, a tradition that embodies those very freedoms is being eroded. This inconsistency undermines confidence and sends the wrong message to our people, Morris stated.
He concluded by urging the administration to reverse its decision.
We must preserve the Independence Day Parade as the proud national tradition it has always been, he stated.
