Minister of National Security meets with THA Chief Secretary to discuss national security issues.

Minister of National Security, the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds Meets with Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, the Honourable Farley Augustine to Address National Security Issues
Friday April 12, 2024. Port-of-Spain: The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, along with law enforcement and administrative personnel of the Ministry of National Security met, on Friday, April 12, 2024, with the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the Honourable Farley Augustine; and other officials of the THA, to address national security issues, affecting Tobago. This meeting took place at the office of the Ministry of National Security in Port of Spain.

The officials from the Ministry of National Security and the Tobago House of Assembly, included Ms. Natasha Barrow and Mrs. Nataki Atiba-Dilchan, Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of National Security, Mrs. Denese Toby-Quashie, Chief Administrator, THA, Mrs. Erla Harewood-Christopher, Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant Colonel Collin Millington, Director of Operations for the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Lieutenant Commander Valene Valentine, Base Commander for the Tobago Command of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Ms. Marcia Charles-Elbourne, General Manager/ CEO of the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, and Mr. Rishi Singh, Head of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, TIPS.

The Honourable Minister advised that the purpose of the engagement was to address the very serious Issues of crime and criminality, particularly, homicides and gun-violence In Tobago.

The discussions addressed a wide cross-section of security matters, which Included updates on the improvements to the national security infrastructure, assets and personnel.

The issue of the safety and security of the fisherfolk in Tobago, and the need for greater collaboration between the fisherfolk and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard was ventilated.

Assurances were also given by the Honourable Minister, that the TTCG will be mandated to heighten its preventative and interdiction activity, in keeping with the Ministry’s focus on the island’s border security.

The Commissioner of Police gave the assurance that the TTPS will continue to deploy resources to the island, Including the provision of increased patrols and technical air support.

Chief Secretary, Farley Augustine welcomed these partnerships, and gave the commitment of the THA, to support the initiatives proposed.

Both parties agreed that the information shared would also be useful in outreach campaigns to the citizens, in collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly.

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