is grappling with significant supply chain disruptions, leading to the scarcity of basic food items like bread. This critical situation stems from ongoing repairs to the Cabo Star ferry, a vital vessel for transporting goods to the island, which is currently out of service following a fire incident.
With the Cabo Star unavailable, trucks are now being accommodated on passenger ferries only when space permits. Priority is given to essential goods, frequently leaving crucial construction supplies stranded in Trinidad.
The responsibility to resolve these escalating inter-island travel issues rests squarely with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, and Minister of Finance Colm Imbert, all of whom have remained notably silent on the matter. Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation Tashia Burris has publicly questioned their commitment to addressing Tobago’s urgent transportation needs.
Secretary Burris has called on the central government of Trinidad and Tobago to address the issue with immediate urgency. She explained that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is currently unable to invest in another emergency vessel due to insufficient funding from the central government. However, regarding the airbridge to Tobago, discussions are exploring the possibility of including other airlines, a suggestion from last week’s town hall meeting on inter-island travel. The idea of a model similar to the previous Tobago Express airline was also proposed by stakeholders.
The Tourism Secretary expressed hope that through the establishment of several multi-stakeholder committees, they can diplomatically advocate for long-term better inter-island travel solutions for Tobago.
