The political leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) Watson Duke has named one of his first orders of business and that is to have Tobago beaches reopened. Duke won his seat of Roxborough/Argyle in the PDP’s resounding 14-1 win in the recently concluded THA elections.

He made the comments about his first order of business while giving his victory speech at the Cyd Gray Complex, Roxborough last night, December 6. According to him, Tobago has the final say over the island’s beaches.

“Nobody will give us orders from Trinidad any more. We not taking orders from Trinidad just like that. Let Rowley know his place. And so, when we have our first Executive Council meeting with our soon-to-be chief secretary Farley Augustine, I will put on the table opening up of our beaches,” he said.

He also said that all are welcome when the beaches are reopened.

“And when we say the beaches are opened up – every man is welcome to go take a bath.We are no longer slaves. We will not let them intimidate us and bully us. We will have none of it. From this day onward our freedom will not go away. We are in charge now.”

Duke said he is confident that the measure can be taken since the THA Act allows the assembly to manage its coastal affairs.