The first question is:

1. “Please provide a list of the jobs that are currently   taking place within the Roxborough/Argyle district, the number of positions   for each project and the number of persons within the district that are   working on those projects? “

Chief Secretary.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. There are three (3) major   projects that were undertaken in the Roxborough/Argyle district, one of   which is completed and two (2) are ongoing. The Roxborough Revetment Project - a total of sixteen (16) persons were   employed: ten (10) drivers; five (5) for signage (that is for fabrication and   installation), and one (1) security officer.

Then, there is the pool at Kendal for which I am sure the   Member opposite is familiar with, given that his brother is the contractor  there.

At that project, there are fourteen (14) persons from the   Roxborough/Argyle district employed.

With the current project on the Lammy Road to the Argyle   Waterfall, thirty (30) of the fifty-three (53) persons employed on that   project are from the Roxborough/Argyle district.

Assemblyman Duke.

Thank you. A follow-up question. Of the sixteen (16)   persons employed on the revetment wall, I want to find out how many persons   are from within the district?

Chief Secretary.

Madam Presiding Officer, the information received from the   Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development, is that sixteen (16) persons are from the   district. So, it is the sixteen (16) that I just broke down. The ten (10)   drivers, five (5) signage, and one (1) security officer, I am advised are   from the Roxborough/Argyle district. 

Assemblyman   Duke.

I also asked the number of positions for each project. I do not think I got that for other projects. I got that for the revetment wall, the one where fifty-three (53) persons are employed, and thirty (30) out of that fifty-three (53) are from within the district. I would like to know the names and positions of those jobs. I did ask that question.

Chief   Secretary.

Madam Presiding   Officer, unfortunately that information is not yet forthcoming from those two   contractors, and I am certain the Member opposite will be able to get the   number of positions from at least one of those contractors.

Madam Presiding Officer, I will like the Chief Secretary to explain to me how I can get the answer from at least   one of those contractors?

I will like him to be very plain (as he likes to say,   pellucidly plain) with me and not throw conjuncture in the House.

Chief Secretary.

Madam Presiding Officer, with regard to the ongoing works   at the pool in Kendal, I am advised that the successful contractor is a   relative of the Member opposite, and I believe he shares a good relationship   with that relative. So he can get that information.

     I have just received, as in just, just received - and   allow me in sharing this information, to indicate to Tobago how we derive the   data for these answers. When the questions are asked, they are sent (the   House also sends them) to the office of the Chief Administrator. We send   these questions to all Administrators so that they could provide the answers   in a timely manner.

     I have just received p art of the information here, and I   will let you know that on my way here, I was receiving emails piece,piece from some of the Divisions. I want to share the additional piece of   information that I have with regard to Lammy Road - one hundred percent   (100%) Tobagonian work force. As I indicated, thirty (30) of the fifty-three   (53) are from the Roxborough/Argyle district...

Is this in relationship to Mr. Duke’s question?

Thirty (30) of the fifty-three (53) are from the   Roxborough/Argyle district, but all one hundred percent (100%) of the labour   force is from the between Charlotteville and Mt. St. George; ninety- five   percent (95%) - equipment owned by Tobagonians; one hundred percent (100%)   operators - Tobagonians; thirty-three (33) trucks and operational vehicles   and heavy equipment all rented and locally from Tobago; six (6) light   equipment, all Tobagonian owned.

The labourer to tradesmen ratio will be sixty/forty   (60:40) (that is the ratio) with eighty percent (80%) of the labour skill in   most areas.

Payment to the quarry - the company has made payment to the quarry for crush run in the amount of one million dollars ($lm); seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) in materials purchased through Tobago hardwares and suppliers. Five million Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$5m) at the end of the project will go into the quarry for the asphalt works, and of course, the benefits to be had from the small businesses within proximity.

I am looking at the time and we have surpassed the twenty   (20) minutes for questions to the Chief Secretary.

Madam Presiding   Officer, you would have just given me an undertaking - it was placed in the Hansard.  I would have preferred not to ask any question and you said, “Go ahead”. You   allowed me to ask the questions and now you are giving me a time line.

Listen, we have twenty (20) minutes   for the Chief Secretary’s questions. We went over by an additional five (5)   minutes. We are guided by the Standing Orders of this House. I am not going to allow anyone to manipulate the Standing Orders of this House.

Madam Presiding Officer, you just gave me your word.

Minortiy Leader.