Rowley: Jamaica-T&T bond strong
Despite calls for boycott...
Published on Mar 30, 2016, 10:00 pm AST
By Elizabeth Williams
The relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica is a very strong bond, said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, as he spoke with the Express in Tobago during the Buccoo Goat and Crab Races on Tuesday.
His comments came on the heels of calls on social media in Jamaica to boycott T&T products after a number of Jamaicans were returned to their country soon after arriving at Piarco International Airport last weekend.
According to the Jamaica Observer, the Foreign Affairs Ministry there has intervened in the reported abuse of a group of Jamaicans who were denied entry to T&T, even though no formal report has been made to the ministry.
It is also understood that Ministry of National Security official here will be meeting with Caribbean Airlines as part of a probe into the incident.
Asked to comment on the matter, Rowley said he does not believe anything untoward took place at the Immigration entry points, but there is one concern.
“What I do know is that we need in both countries, in all our Caricom countries, we need for our Immigration and Customs to be sensitised and sensitive to the fact that we are operating with pretty much a common border,†said the Prime Minister.
He said Caribbean nationals coming into Trinidad and Tobago should be treated equally.
“Having said that, the Immigration officers also have a job to do and deal with people on a case-by-case basis.â€
Rowley said if Trinidad and Tobago was in the wrong, the situation must be corrected.
“If something went wrong, then Trinidad and Tobago will rectify it. If nothing went wrong we should not really behave as though there is some problem between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica...I know our bond is too strong for that.â€
He said mistreatment of Caricom visitors has no place in this country.
“The Immigration officers will have to determine, you know, who enters the country and if there are individual problems. If there is a question of mistreatment then certainly that is not allowed or permissible. We won’t encourage that,†said Rowley.
www.trinidadexpress.com/20160330/news/ro...maica-tt-bond-strong
