Dennis challenges Tobagonians to do better

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The Tobago House of Assembly’s(THA) Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis says for Tobago to continue progressing, residents must commit themselves to do better jobs.

In his speech at the Thanksgiving service to mark the Assembly’s 40th anniversary on December 4, he said unclean roadways, and unpaid employees’ gratuities meant those tasked with doing the jobs were not doing them well.

Delivering the feature address at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex to a sparse crowd, in keeping with COVID-19 protocols, Dennis said the anniversary is a time to give thanks, celebrate, recommit and do some introspection.

“I think all of us must pause and look within and ask ourselves some critical questions. As leaders, whether political leaders or managers or administrators or even those operating in the most junior positions, have we been giving our best on behalf of the people of Tobago?”

He added:” If in fact, we have been giving our best, we must ask ourselves another question, have our best been enough?”

He said the island, people, and assembly have developed. He said there was evidence of the island’s physical and communities were now developed in Buccoo, Charlotteville, and Roxborough.

He said the human capital had also developed, and men like ANR Robinson and Kelvin Charles played critical roles in the Assembly’s development.

He cited Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Chief Justice Ivor Archie’s attainment to positions of power nationally as well as internationally renowned athletes such as Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Akeem Stewart, and Lalonde Gordon, as examples of the island’s progress.

However, he said for progress to continue, Tobagonians must commit to doing more.

“I want to suggest to all of us if we are to do that introspection accurately and honestly, we can admit that better can be done in the Assembly and on behalf of the people of Tobago,” Dennis said.

In 2010, Tobago began celebrating the island’s progress on December 4. The day was originally called Assembly Day. It changed to Tobago Day in 2015.

The day is usually marked by a week of activities but was scaled back this year because of the pandemic.