AT least one citizen of Trinidad and Tobago is convinced that the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London, and members of the Executive Council have committed acts of treason against the State.

He did not specify.

Vincent Taylor of Plymouth, Tobago, told TnT Mirror that for almost two years, he has been trying to alert the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the President of the Republic, other government officials, and the media of “fundamental breaches of the THA Act”.

In a letter to this newspaper, Taylor said: “To date, I have written a number of letters to various officials and an article in a daily newspaper.

“Based on the response (or lack of response) I am convinced that there is an attempt to cover up a serious breach of the laws of the land by both the Chief Secretary and Executive Council of the THA and the prime minister and Cabinet of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.”

In a letter to President Max Richards dated August 24, Taylor complained that the laws governing the operations of the THA “are being administered in the breach rather than in its observance, and as a consequence, making a mockery and treating the Constitution, laws, Parliament, and the office of the President with contempt.”

Taylor also complained that office holders “continue to create legal and social problems by their actions”.

He cited the construction of the new Tobago hospital as an example, adding that problems being experienced with the project would be difficult to remedy as the Minister of Health had undermined the authority given to the THA.

DPP
GEOFFREY
HENDERSON

THA Chief
Secretary
ORVILLE
LONDON

President
MAXWELL
RICHARDS

He noted also, that there have been problems with the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA).

According to Taylor, the TRHA, which employs doctors, nurses, and other staff, is doing so illegally.

The exercising of the powers and functions of the TRHA is subject to the THA act.

But the TRHA’s CEO reports to the minister.

There have also been problems with the Town and Country Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development.

According to Taylor, Town and Country’s policy is that planning is the responsibility of the Central Government despite the fact that there are provisions under the THA Act for the planning in Tobago.

There are also problems with the collection of revenue, the utilities, and other areas of the administration of the THA.

Taylor noted that Chief Secretary London’s response to these discrepancies is: “The THA Act is just a piece of paper.”

He said London referred to a “Corridor of Co-operation” as being more important than the act, but Taylor contends that the Chief Secretary’s stance is illegal.

Allegations of a cover up came when Taylor wrote to DPP Geoffrey Henderson outlining his concerns and suggested that the Chief Secretary, prime minister, and Cabinet be charged with treason and\or misbehaviour in public office.

The DPP wrote back to Taylor telling him the Office of the DPP could not help.

This led to Taylor’s complaint in his letter to the president against the DPP, whose responsibility it is to act against persons or entities when they are in breach of the law.