(Trinidad Guardian) After featuring on Trinidad and Tobago’s Coat of Arms for 62 years, the depictions of Christopher Columbus’ three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, which commemorated Columbus’ arrival in 1498, will be removed, according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Rowley announced the decision yesterday at the PNM’s special convention to consider the report of the party’s constitution reform committee. The country’s Coat of Arms was designed in 1962 by a committee of citizens, including late carnival designer George Bailey and artist Carlyle Chang.
“You see them three Columbus boats in the emblem, they will go. And since we have enough votes in the Parliament to do it. I can announce now that as soon as the legislative adjustment is made, that amendment should be made before the 24th of September. We are going to replace Columbus’s three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria with the steelpan.
“And for logistical purposes, that will take place over a six-month period, allowing us to consume the stationary and other things we have in place and be replaced by our new intention,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the change on the Coat of Arms would be the first in moving away from the country’s colonial ties.
“And that should signal that we are on our way to removing the colonial vestiges that we have in our constitution. And I hope that we start with that and no longer end up being squatters on the steps of the Privy Council because all those who believe that the Privy Council must always be our Supreme Court one of these days in England that will take the decision to expel us,” the Prime Minister said to a standing ovation at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain.
The Prime Minister’s announcement comes as the public consultation on the review of the placement of statues, monuments and signage in T&T is set to take place on August 28. In 2022, Cabinet appointed a committee to look at statues and signage after Cross Rhodes Freedom Project founder Shabaka Kambon and other activists called for the removal of the monuments and change in the way history is taught. The issue was first raised in 2020.
No early election
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also removed any chances of a general election taking place this year. There were rumours in political circles that the election was set to be called in November.
“There will be no election in November. There will be an election in 2025.
“I just told you today that we are aiming to have this next conference, as of now, possibly the first week of October, or even later. That guarantees you that the election they talking about in November not taking place. And to say that we are doing it because it’s an election time, I told you earlier on, the work that I did earlier on to get to this point took place in 2023,” the Prime Minister said to more applause and laughter. He denied the convention was called because “it is election time.”
The PNM political leader called on the Opposition and other political parties to put differences aside and unite to help chart a brighter way forward for the country through constitutional reform.
“I want to appeal to my parliamentary colleagues and all those who have political aspirations, there are times we have got to come together and now is one of those times.”
While calling for increased political unity, Rowley questioned why the Opposition sought to politicize the Agri Expo, which took place over the weekend at the Queen’s Park Savannah, by protesting.
The Prime Minister said the expo’s success was an indication that the agriculture sector is finally gathering momentum and attracting more young people. He said that 60,000 people attended yesterday, while another 40,000 were present on Saturday.
