A heated political debate has emerged following the recent issuance of an export licence to Studley Park Enterprises Ltd by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young has criticized the move, labelling it as ‘political gimmickry.’ Speaking at a media conference on November 6, Young defended the previous administration’s decision not to grant the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) the licence, emphasizing the high local demand for the quarry’s high-grade materials. Young highlighted that aggregate from Studley Park was crucial for several local projects, including the Diego Martin Interchange, and that the quarry’s production capacity was insufficient to meet domestic needs. He questioned the rationale behind prioritizing exports when local demand remains unmet, warning that the export licence could exacerbate foreign exchange challenges and impact roadworks across the country. Young also revealed that former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and former Works Minister Rohan Sinanan were previously barred from visiting the quarry. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, however, defended the licence, stating it would enable Studley Park to market its aggregate regionally and generate much-needed foreign exchange, empowering Tobago to chart its own economic destiny.