Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader and Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke yesterday described his swim protest from Tobago to Trinidad a resounding success.
However, he cautioned citizens not to try the stunt as the journey was long and rough.
Duke, along with Assemblyman Farley Augustine and four other swimmers, began swimming from the Scarborough Fishing Facility shortly before 10 am yesterday. He engaged in the protest to highlight the issues facing the inter-island transport system, as well as the Ocean Flower 2 debacle.
However, although he initially promised to swim from one island to the other, he had to abort the idea due to poor sea conditions and swam approximately seven miles before he altered his plan. Duke also fell out of a canoe, which caused some concern for those who were accompanying him. He eventually used a boat owned by a member of the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association to get close to Toco, where he swam to shore at the fishing facility there.
Speaking to reporters in Toco, Duke said the journey was symbolic and well worth it.
“The sea was rough. I will not encourage persons to travel to Trinidad by that means, but it was worth it because it’s really the only alternative that the average Tobagonian has to get to Trinidad ... so this afternoon was very symbolic for all of us. I want to particularly thank God, cause I mean when we left home this morning, we left women crying, husband crying, we left children wondering,” he said
He said the people of Tobago should have the final say on the operations of the air and sea bridge and there must be greater respect for the THA.
“We understood the purpose and we were pushed and propelled by one hundred and twenty five years of suffering and being told by a Central Government in Trinidad what type of vessel we should use, what type of plane we should ride on. So we have decided that we want to make it absolutely clear, from this day forward Tobago must decide, must be the final deciding voice on the ferry service and the air service, it comes with no constitutional change, all it requires is respect for the Tobago House of Assembly and I can’t understand why the Chief Secretary, Mr. Charles, has allowed so much disrespect to come to the people of Tobago. Tobago operates as a state within a state, that why it is a Tobago House of Assembly,” he said
Duke said the time for talking was also over.
“We have been talking for eight months. We have been keeping spot meetings, we have been doing all sorts of stuff, protesting … I am saying we are going to begin a new conversation, a conversation that says Tobago must decide and we intend to deliver a letter to the President, asking for a meeting to discuss the air and sea bridge; one to Caribbean Airlines, asking for a meeting on the air bridge and also the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, asking for a meeting on the sea bridge,” he said.
He said the next protest action would see a large demonstration on the port at Port-of-Spain.
Strong support
Thousands of Tobagonians showed up at the Scarborough Fishing Facility to witness the historic event earlier.
Duke was showered with cheers and applause as he entered the water. Clad in swim gear, he swam for approximately seven miles, passing two markers off Scarborough before needing any assistance.
During the historic swim, Duke described all the swimmers as “freedom fighters.” A banana tree was also planted on their arrival in Toco to mark the event. They returned to Tobago via pirogue at 6 pm.
Contacted yesterday on the swim protest, Tobago Chamber of Commerce president Demi John Cruikshank said his organisation stood in solidarity with anyone who saw the need to bring Tobago issues forward, especially that of the inter-island transportation.
“We commend Mr. Duke for taking a stand and we in the business community are in solidarity with him, in terms that he took the protest to another level, in terms of standing for Tobago in this time of need, so we want to commend him for what he would have done and commend him for taking the stand that he took,” he said
Cruikshank said while it was a dangerous approach taken by Duke, he believes a strong message was clearly sent to those in authority.
“I think the message was well carried by all media houses. If a Tobagonian did not know that there was a crisis, Mr Duke would have made sure today with the stand he would have taken. When you look at the crowd participation, yes he would have gotten his point over,” he said
Also supporting the protest was Inter-island Truckers and Traders Association president Horace Amede, who said he hoped Tobagonians understood the struggle that existed throughout the island because of the challenges on the sea bridge.
“I hope Tobagonians realise what is happening, because they cannot really get to Trinidad. I was in the health centre on Friday and they didn’t have certain drugs to do the A1 c, even medicine for cancer patients was scarce at Bacolet and because of the situation with the sea bridge, so it really needs to be addressed and addressed sooner than later. We hope after today that they will take us serious and realise the urgency of this matter,” he said