By KARL E CUPID Tobago Bureau Thursday, September 2 2010

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Orville London...

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London said the rift between the Ministry of Tobago Development and the Assembly will be high on the agenda when he meets with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at his Calder Hall office today.

At the regular weekly post-executive council meeting press briefing yesterday afternoon, London said he will head a THA team of senior officials, including the Chief Administrator, who will engage in discussions with the Prime Minister and a Government delegation, including the Tobago Development Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin. London said he was hoping “once and for all” to clear up the issue which has been a continuous war of words between himself and Alleyne-Toppin. Since her appointment as Tobago Development Minister, Alleyne-Toppin and the THA Chief Secretary have been caught up in an ongoing verbal exchange dwelling on the Ministry’s portfolio and THA responsibilities.

“Let me make it very clear, I am saying that enough is enough. I am hoping that I will be able to treat with the Prime Minister and the Minister (of Tobago Development) at tomorrow’s (today) meeting so that we can clarify exactly what are the areas of responsibility for the Minister (Alleyne-Toppin), and I can indicate to the Prime Minister and the Minister what I believe and know to be the areas of responsibility of the THA”, said London. He said once this was done, the personnel would be able to operate in a greater degree of comfort and predictability.