(T&TGuardian)Tobago Correspondent
Mere days before the anniversary of the fallout between Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) leader Watson Duke, Duke has called for reconciliation with Augustine.
In an open letter titled “A Renewed Call for Unity” to Augustine on Sunday, Duke emphasised the need to prioritise the welfare of Tobagonians and put aside personal differences for the sake of the island’s future.
During a press conference yesterday he asked, “Where is the sobriety? Where is the placing of Tobago first?
“There is a pool of thought held by a few troubled people that ‘Watson doesn’t want peace, Watson is looking for a fight’. That is not the truth. I want to silence that and I want to see a way forward, which is to write a letter as I did to Farley for us to reconcile our differences—put it aside and put Tobago first.”
Duke revealed the contents of the letter at a media conference at the PDP’s office at the Port Mall in Scarborough yesterday.
The conflict between the two leaders began in September 2022, following a public dispute over funds for a Tobago cultural group then on tour in New York. Duke resigned as deputy THA Chief Secretary on September 15. Soon after, however, the entire THA executive resigned from the PDP and Augustine subsequently went on to establish the Tobago People’s Party recently.
During the controversial “Audiogate” matter in June, Augustine had also pointed fingers at Duke as being behind the leaked audio clip in which THA officials, later identified as Augustine and Secretary of Education Zorisha Hackett, were heard discussing the use of THA funds to hire individuals to push political propaganda. Duke had threatened to take Augustine to court for accusing him of taping the leaked recording, as he noted he was not present when the plan was being discussed.
Yesterday, Duke expressed his willingness to forgive past misunderstandings and overlook certain actions but emphasised that the loss of any opportunity to advance Tobago’s cause would be unforgivable.
“In light of the recent development, I am ready to forgive past misunderstandings and overlook certain actions. Yet, what remains unforgivable is the loss of an exceptional opportunity and a chance to set aside our differences and join forces for the good of Tobago,” Duke said.
Duke said he was disappointed with the way Augustine has been handling the affairs of Tobago and the negative impact it has had on their shared goals for economic, social, and cultural progress on the island. He urged Augustine to distance himself from the lingering elements of past political parties and focus on representing the true sentiments of the people.
He said he hopes to rekindle the relationship between the Central Government and the THA, which will ultimately resolve many of the existing issues.
He urged Augustine to respond to his letter and engage in a meaningful dialogue towards serving the people of Tobago. If not, however, he said he (Duke) will not either.
Duke told Guardian Media that his call for reconciliation was not a plea to save his job or party, but a request to allow him to serve as a consultant to guide the Assembly. He also dismissed claims that his decision to reconcile was linked to the PDP’s defeat in the recent Local Government Elections.
Highlighting the upcoming elections, Duke stressed the importance of unity and collective effort in addressing the urgent needs of Tobago. However, he made it clear he has no intention of joining Augustine’s recently launched Tobago People’s Party.
Duke said, “That thing (political party) that they have cannot defeat the PNM. Tobago wants to see us work together.”
Duke stressed that his mission goes beyond personal ambitions and is centred on the hopes and dreams of all who live on the island.
Approached by Guardian Media after the media conference, Duke said, “There is no need for me to come cap-in-hand begging, supplicating or surrendering myself saying ‘Look meh, do meh what yuh want I want to follow you’. I am here to continue the fight with or without him.”
He added, “I am the man that got Tobago to believe again. I got Tobago to stand up and fight again, so there is some value I bring to the table. Do not underestimate that.
“That reconciliation I’m speaking about, it’s not a husband and wife. There is no love here, there’s no personal thing. This is simply us putting differences aside to work for Tobago.”
Contacted on Duke’s call, however, PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis laughed it off.
He told Guardian Media in a sit-down interview later that day that reconciliation will not erase the stains left on the reputation of the THA by the current administration.
“It matters not whether these two men reconcile because they have lost their way. They have actually, in the last 20 months, traumatised the people of Tobago. It is the most chaos and confusion we have had at the level of our governance on the island of Tobago,” Dennis said.
“Therefore, reasonable, right-thinking Tobagonians should have no expectations that these people will buckle down, govern, and lead this island while delivering on all the grandiose promises that they made to the people of Tobago; reconciliation or not.”
He added, “It is a sad state of affairs. We have had revelations of rampant and blatant corruption, we have had public officials under investigation by the police. We have had the blatant selling out of Tobago’s resources to individuals and companies from Trinidad, although they promised to put Tobago first.
“Reconciliation or not, the bacchanal and confusion continue, and this is quite unfortunate for the people of Tobago because this is not what they voted for.”
All attempts to reach Augustine on WhatsApp and mobile calls were unsuccessful.
Efforts to contact either Augustine or Deputy Chief Secretary Faith B Yisrael were unsuccessful yesterday, as calls to their cellphone went unanswered.