New Assembly sworn in: Farley is Chief Sec, Duke named Deputy
Deputy Political Leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) Farley Chavez Augustine has been sworn in as Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
Augustine took the oath of office today as a new Assembly of 17 PDP members and two People’s National Movement (PNM) members was sworn in today.
PDP Leader Watson Duke was sworn in as Deputy Chief Secretary, while Abby Taylor was elected Presiding Officer. Joel Sampson will serve as Deputy Presiding Officer.
Kelvon Morris, the lone PNM candidate to win his seat, was sworn in as the THA Minority Leader.
Augustine named Tashia Grace Burris, Orlando Kerr and Certica Orr as councillors, while Morris named Petal Daniel-Benoit as a councillor.
The recently concluded THA election saw the PDP winning 14 of the 15 electoral seats.
Recounts were requested by both the PDP and the PNM, however, the results remained unchanged.
This was the second time Tobagonians headed to the polls with the THA election in January concluding with a deadlock 6-6 result.
Following an amendment to the THA Act, fresh elections were called with an increase in the number of seats from 12 to 15 to prevent another deadlock result.
Photo: Newly elected THA Chief Secretary and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley share a light moment at the inauguration of the Tobago House of Assembly.