The Office of the THA Chief Secretary has confirmed there will be no Independence Day Parade, official Government functions, nor state-sponsored fireworks display in Tobago.
This, it adds, is in keeping with Government’s recent announcement.
In a statement, the Chief Secretary’s Office says since national security is listed as a Sixth Schedule matter under the Tobago House of Assembly Act No. 40 of 1996, the THA has no responsibility for, nor authority over, national security.
As such, it says the decision to call off this year’s Independence Day celebrations rests solely with the Central Government.
It adds however that the THA stands guided by the national security intelligence provided on the matter, and will continue to align its decisions accordingly.
The traditional Independence Day events will be replaced by a National Day of Prayer and Reflection due to the current State of Emergency.
THA Chief Secretary Farley Chavez Augustine is expected to outline Tobago’s plans for observing the day in due course.
