THA Shreds Rulebook With New NGO Power-Sharing Model
January 22, 2026 — In a move that signals a paradigm shift in Caribbean governance, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has officially invited Tobago’s Civil Society to the table—not just as observers, but as non-voting advisors within the halls of power. As the Assembly conducted its first ordinary meeting today, following the historic 15-0 sweep by the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) in the January 12 elections, a new “Civil Society Partnership” model is set to change how policy is made.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between elected officials and grassroots expertise, allowing representatives from various NGOs and community organizations to provide direct strategic oversight and input on developmental projects. Chief Secretary Augustine emphasized that this “power-sharing” approach is designed to prevent “elected dictatorship” and ensure that the voices of the people are integrated into the legislative process.
