PNM UNVEILS AGGRESSIVE 'TOBAGO FIRST' PLAN IN ROXBOROUGH; PROMISES 7,000 JOBS AND CONTRACTOR PROTECT
The People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council has intensified its campaign for the upcoming January 12th elections, unveiling a sweeping economic plan centered on local content protection and massive job creation during a political meeting in the Roxborough/Argyle electoral district.
Addressing a spirited crowd, senior party officials outlined a roadmap to create 7,000 new jobs within the first four-year term. Central to this plan is a strict « Tobago First » policy for the construction sector. The party vowed to implement a blanket policy prohibiting the awarding of THA contracts to Trinidadian firms for projects—such as road building—that local Tobago contractors have the capacity to execute. Speakers criticized the current Tobago People’s Partnership (TPP) administration for allegedly sidelining homegrown businesses in favor of external companies, specifically citing a stalled $30 million road contract in Lamy Road awarded to a Trinidadian firm.
The PNM also announced the launch of a $50 million annual « Community-Based Infrastructural Development Program. » This initiative aims to inject cash directly into villages by hiring small, community-based contractors for maintenance projects like drain repairs and retaining walls, specifically targeting youth employment.
On the agricultural front, the party pledged to restart the « Farmland Development Program, » promising to develop over 700 acres of land across Lamy Road, Richmond Estate, and Belmont Road for distribution to over 300 farmers. Tourism plans were also highlighted, with commitments to construct a new Marina and attract two additional hotels to the island.
The meeting served as a major platform for PNM candidate Shone John, who is vying to wrest the Roxborough/Argyle seat from the current representation. Party officials urged the electorate to reject the « shantytown » state of the district under the tenure of Watson Duke and return to the « good representation » of the past, positioning the PNM as the only viable option to secure a bright future for the island.
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