PNM claps back at Non-Aligned Tobago Politicians

The People’s National Movement (PNM) has called out the seven persons from the Non-Aligned Politicians (NAP) group who endorsed the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) on Wednesday.

The People’s National Movement (PNM) has called out the seven persons from the Non-Aligned Politicians (NAP) group who endorsed the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) on Wednesday.

The group is comprised of former politicians, all of whom—except Max James—oppose the PNM.

The other members of the group are former assemblymen Dr. Jeff Davidson, George Stanley Beard, Carlyle Dick, Cecile Caruth, Regis Caruth, and former parliamentarian Pamela Nicholson.

In a release on Thursday, the PNM called out the group for saying they are not aligned to any political party but are supporting the PDP.

In the release, the PNM is accusing the group of making “deceitful and outlandish statements”.

“One of them asserted that the PNM had not made a case to be returned to office… Clearly, NAP has been either in a Rip van Winkle slumber for the past 20 years, or in a coma for the past five years…”

The release goes on to outline what the Keith Rowley-led administration has been doing.

“New ferries and aircraft have stabilised the air and sea bridges between Tobago and Trinidad. The private sector has received fiscal incentives and financial support both before and after the pandemic lockdown,” it said.

The party added:

“Within Tobago communities, recent infrastructure projects include, but are not limited to: the recently commissioned Southwest Waste Water Treatment Facility; a $132 million, 20-megawatt upgrade to the Cove Power Generation Plant; two new police stations in east and west of Tobago; a newly built Roxborough fire station with training facilities for new recruits; and the under construction Roxborough Hospital.”’

It continued: “The Central Government has also collaborated with the THA to provide additional social support through the issuance of 1,361 food cards; 1,300 Public Assistance Grants; 1,566 Salary Relief Grants and 500 Rental Assistance Grants, as part of the overall response to COVID -19 pandemic.”

The release said NAP’s claims that the party’s two Tobago candidates—Ayanna Webster-Roy and Shamfa Cudjoe—had not done anything over the past five years, were untrue.

“The PNM is positioned to develop new marinas at strategic locations all around Tobago, to enhance the island’s tourist product and expand the yachting sector. We have already begun work to upgrade the existing ANR Robinson Airport and construct a brand new, modern terminal,” the release noted.