Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley says the ongoing cargo seabridge disruption in Tobago has created a “real crisis” for producers in the sister island, disclosing yesterday that his livestock operations have been affected as he has not been able to get feed for his chickens and sheep.
In a social media post yesterday, Rowley said the situation was more than political commentary for him.
He said he had “pens full of thousands of live animals (chickens, pigs and sheep)” and could not secure feed because there is no feed mill in Tobago and the reduced frequency and lack of a fixed sailing schedule have disrupted his weekly trucking arrangements.
“For most people, it is just talk and opinions, and appearances. But for me, one of the few producers of anything in Tobago, it is a real crisis,” he wrote.
Rowley also criticised Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, referencing the THA and election results in which Augustine’s team secured all 15 THA seats and the island’s two parliamentary seats.
“Farley wanted and got all 15 THA seats and the two parliamentary seats so that there should be no voice to be raised in questioning all that this shows up,” Rowley stated.
He further alleged that despite previous tensions — including what Rowley recalled as a promise by Augustine to “dig up my navel string and throw it in Trinidad” — he continued to invest his time and resources in Tobago.
Rowley’s comments came amid mounting concerns over the reliability of the cargo service between Trinidad and Tobago, with businesses complaining of shortages and rising costs.
Operation mismanaged
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles yesterday called for urgent intervention to address what she described as a worsening cargo seabridge crisis, warning that Tobago was facing food shortages and price increases as a result of the Government’s handling of the ferry transition.
In a release, Beckles said Tobagonians were being told to brace for increased food costs while their elected representatives remained silent.
She criticised Augustine, accusing him of failing to publicly address the situation.
Beckles said the absence of a clear response from the THA leadership was concerning given the potential impact on businesses and households.
She issued the statement at about 1 p.m., around the same time Augustine was holding a news conference in Scarborough to address the issue.
The Opposition Leader also took aim at the Minister of Works, Jearlean John, accusing the Government of mismanaging the cargo operation involving the MV Blue Wave Harmony.
She said cargo had once again become stranded in Tobago, creating uncertainty around the supply of essential goods.
Beckles recalled the timeline of events, noting that the MV Cabo Star left service on January 12 and that the Blue Wave Harmony arrived on January 22. She added that, on January 30, while still undergoing sea trials, the vessel was damaged during berthing manoeuvres in Tobago.
She claimed that the State was paying US$25,500 per day for the Blue Wave Harmony, a vessel she said cost approximately 30% more than the Cabo Star. Beckles questioned whether adequate contingency planning was in place prior to the expiration of the Cabo Star’s lease and called on the Government to disclose the ownership of the Blue Wave Harmony.
According to Beckles, businesses in Tobago have already begun reporting difficulty sourcing basic goods, with at least one operator indicating losses exceeding $1 million in the past month.
She said truckers were unable to operate with certainty and families were left anxious about the timely arrival of essential supplies.
Beckles urged the Prime Minister to intervene immediately and demanded a full account of what went wrong, including what contingency arrangements had been established and why they failed to prevent disruption.
She also called on the Government to present a clear and credible plan to ensure uninterrupted cargo movement between Trinidad and Tobago.
Opposition Senator Melanie Roberts-Radgman, in a social media post on Saturday, said: “The reports & logs regarding safety defects are there for anyone to access and review for themselves. This vessel is not fit for purpose! This vessel is as problematic as the Government that procured it. The procurement process itself seems shady. When I raised these concerns a week and a half ago my fellow Tobagonians cuss meh. If it’s one thing about me, I don’t jump and comment on every issue. When I speak out it’s because there’s plenty behind what I’m saying and I have genuine concerns for Tobago in particular. Matter of fact while, some of yall were busy insulting me the same vessel was unable to dock in Tobago. And that was almost two weeks ago.”
She added: “Up to now we cannot get a single decent report of this boat operating as it should. Business chamber worried about perishables being lost – as I said, loss of goods. What losses might we experience next?”
