By Andre Bagoo Friday, September 25 2009

INDEPENDENT SENATOR Tobagonian Annette Nicholson-Alfred on Wednesday night warned Minister of National Security Martin Joseph to not make any promises that he could not keep to stem the rising tide of crime in Tobago.

In her contribution to the Budget debate in the Senate, Nicholson-Alfred argued that Tobago is now “on fire” with crime and that the current situation could have been avoided had Joseph heeded her warning last year over the need to stop crime migrating to Tobago.

“When your neighbour’s bed is on fire, wet yours,” she said. “Last year all we got were promises. Look at Tobago today. Denyse Plumber will say, ‘What is this?’ Twelve murders for the year. Four murders in two days in Tobago.”

She noted that two houses had been burnt down on the island in one week and recounted the horrific attack on British couple Peter and Murium Greene in August.

In relation to Joseph, the senator said, “I am looking for the man who promised me help last year and I really thought I was talking to him. I believe if we got help Tobago might have still been sweet Tobago.”

She declared, “Tobago’s house is now on fire, give us water to out the fire. The country is fed-up of the rhetoric especially where crime is concerned. We want to feel comfortable at least where we live. we want our section of SAUTT (the Special Anti-Crime Unit), we want a SAUTT too.”

She noted that Tobago police are under-staffed by 100, work 48-hour shifts and are under-resourced and operate in police stations that leave a lot to be desired.

“To me none of them (the stations), not even the best of them is worth the while. I do not know how people operate there I really don’t,” she said.

Joseph, who was not in the Senate for Nicholson-Alfred’s entire contribution, did enter the chamber half-way through and made assurances that several new police stations will be built.

“We are still to get access to the lands for Old Grange and Roxborough. There are a number of matters that are still outstanding. The fact that Tobago has a police officer shortage is something that is pervasive in the entire system,” Joseph said.

But Nicholson-Alfred responded, “take care you make a promise you can’t keep and something happens to you. I am pleading to you to keep your word so that nothing happens to you.”

In relation to the Budget’s proposed property tax regime, the senator warned that it will have a serious impact on business in Tobago, where tourism dominates, and will cause a price surge.

“Those on fixed incomes, the retirees, the pensioner will be devastated by such increased prices,” she said. “This government needs to be more sensitive to those on fixed or low incomes.” She called for a study on the impact of the new tax regime on Tobago’s economy or, as an alternative, a phased introduction of the new provisions.