Prime Minister Defends Decision to Replace Columbus Ships on Trinidad and Tobago Coat of Arms
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Wednesday defended the decision to replace the three ships of the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus on the Trinidad and Tobago Coat of Arms with the national instrument, the steelpan.
Addressing a special convention of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) earlier this month, Rowley said that the change is expected to be finalized before Republic Day on September 24, with a six-month transition period to facilitate changes to stationery and other official materials.
However, his announcement has caused division in the public domain, with some politicians, social commentators, and university lecturers indicating that it was made without proper consultation and is designed to help the government win the 2025 general election.
PM’s Defense
Speaking at the weekly post-cabinet news conference, Prime Minister Rowley defended making the original statement at a PNM convention, saying, “If the government tells party members that the government intends to do this and do that, why is it offensive?”
“They cannot do it in secret,” he added.
Opposition Leader’s View
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar, while acknowledging that Columbus was wrongfully celebrated for some time, said nonetheless that “sanitizing history, truth, and free speech in the modern era of wokeness, virtue signaling, and cancel culture will only promote ignorance and foster the repetition of evil acts in the future that can be preventable.”
PM’s Rebuttal
But Rowley said that if a poll is conducted on Frederick Street in the heart of the capital, Port of Spain, regarding removing the three ships on the emblem, “99 percent of the people would ask me what three ships….”
“The bottom line is that the government of Trinidad and Tobago, as part of our overall celebration and fixing the future of the steelpan, took that decision, and then we are accused of not consulting, and I am being accused and denounced personally by political party leaders….”
Parliamentary Process
“There is no way that can be done without the involvement of the Parliament. So, what is this story about the government … misbehaving?”
“You know what has to be done. The Parliament has to be told what the government wants to do. It is in the Parliament that the public business is ventilated under law, and a series of laws have to be amended so that it can be properly done and Parliament does not meet in secret or in private,” Rowley said.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the replacement of the Columbus ships on the Trinidad and Tobago Coat of Arms is ongoing, with both sides presenting their arguments. While some argue that the change is necessary to promote a more accurate representation of the country’s history and culture, others believe that it is a politically motivated move designed to sway public opinion ahead of the 2025 general election.
FAQs
Q: Why is the government replacing the Columbus ships on the Trinidad and Tobago Coat of Arms?
A: The government is replacing the Columbus ships with the steelpan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, as part of its celebration and promotion of the country’s culture.
Q: Why is the change being made without consultation?
A: The government believes that it has the right to make decisions about the country’s symbols and emblems, and that consultation is not necessary in this case.
Q: How will the change be implemented?
A: The change will be implemented through a series of legislative amendments, which will be debated and voted on in Parliament.