BARBADOS is making a grave mistake in sanctioning an underwater gas pipeline from Trinidad and Tobago without pushing for the new fishing agreement that has eluded the two nations for years.

Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate John Boyce made this charge on Saturday.

He said it was unthinkable that Barbados could have a "major geo-political issue" like the fishing dispute "hanging" while "we're talking about a pipeline for natural gas from the same Trinidad and Tobago".

The Barbados Government in April agreed to establishment of a pipeline to transport compressed natural gas from Tobago.

But both governments have been quiet on talks that resumed last January on a new fishing agreement, after a break of over three years.

Boyce spoke during a news conference that followed the Dems' mass canvass in the Christ Church South constituency that includes the fishing town of Oistins.

Later, he told the WEEKEND NATION: "The fishermen in Oistins want a solution to the problem. They want to know when they will be able to venture back into Trinidad and Tobago's waters to fish."

He charged that Government had "resigned on the issue" of the new fisheries agreement, while the Trinidad and Tobago government "is distracted with its own domestic issues, including the troubles with the chief justice".

"How can a government, not having settled the issue of a fishing agreement between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, be talking about having a pipeline running from Tobago to Barbados, with the valves in Tobago, and not understand that the geo-politics of that investment must be sorted out?" he asked.

Boyce received support from DLP candidates for the other Christ Church seats during the canvass that took in Oistins, Scarborough, Pegwell, Welches, Maxwell, Worthing and other areas.

After the tour Boyce listed an inadequate bus service, high unemployment and under-employment and the high cost of living among the major complaints of his constituents.

He called for an upgrade of the Oistins Polyclinic, the fish market and a number of Government properties in the area, including the Geriatric Hospital, the Post Office and the Library. (TY)