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The People’s National Movement’s (PNM’s) Tobago Council will kick-start its campaign on Monday to retain control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in the January 25 election.
Prospective candidates are expected to file their nomination papers between 9 am and 4 pm at three venues throughout the island: Calder Hall, Glen Road and John Dial community centres.
The PNM, which currently controls ten of the 12 seats in the assembly, is being challenged by the Progressive Democratic Patriots.
Both parties are fielding candidates in the 12 electoral districts.
Class Action Reform Movement political leader Ricardo Phillip and Unity of the People leader Nickocy Phillips, both of whom had unsuccessfully contested the Tobago West seat in the August 10 general election, are contesting the Buccoo/Mt Pleasant seat.
As it did in the 2013 THA election, the PNM is again pushing for a clean sweep.
After the Nomination Day exercise, the party is expected to present its candidates during a virtual campaign launch from 8 pm under the theme, Building Tobago Together.
The party has led the assembly for 20 consecutive years, beginning with Orville London’s victory over then chief secretary Hochoy Charles in the 2001 election.
London, a former PNM deputy leader, served for four consecutive terms as chief secretary before taking up an assignment as TT’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His tenure has ended and he is currently in Tobago.
The PNM’s team, three of whom are women, is a mix of youth and experience.
It includes five incumbents: Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis (Buccoo/Mt Pleasant); Secretary in the Division of Finance and the Economy Joel Jack (Bacolet/Mt St George); Assistant Secretary in the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation Shomari Hector, Secretary for Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour Marslyn Melville-Jack (Scarborough/Calder Hall) and Secretary of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities Clarence Jacob (Canaan/Bon Accord).
[caption id="attachment_865504" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis, during a post executive council briefing in Scarborough on November 11, 2020, is contesting the Buccoo/Mt Pleasant seat in the THA election on January 25. FILE PHOTO/AYANNA KINSALE -[/caption]
The THA election is taking place against the backdrop of the covid19 pandemic, which has virtually shut down Tobago’s tourism-dependent economy and left many people unemployed.
The pandemic has forced the Ancil Dennis-led THA to re-prioritise its development agenda.
There are also brewing tensions between some Crown Point/Canaan/Bon Accord residents and the Government over the latter’s handling of the ANR Robinson airport expansion project, scheduled to begin this month.
Last week, some residents accused the National Infrastructure Development Co Ltd of attempting to seize their properties even though they have not finalised negotiations for compensation.
There have also been complaints that the needs of the island’s vulnerable citizens are not being adequately addressed.
Tracy Davidson-Celestine, who became the Tobago Council’s first female political leader after defeating Kelvin Charles in a run-off leadership election on June 26, said owing to the challenges presented by covid19, the party intends to implement a new framework for developing the island if re-elected.
She told Sunday Newsday there also has to be a new, people-centred approach to politics and policymaking in 2021.
“Of the many lessons 2020 brought home to all of us, it is that the standard way of doing things cannot work in this new world,” said Davidson-Celestine, who is contesting the Lambeau/Signal Hill seat.
“My basic premise in this regard is that the best solutions are to be found in the individual. Each person understands his or her own situation better than anyone else.
“They know what works and, by cooperating with other persons who also know what works for themselves, we can create a society that works for everyone.”
She said from this premise, the Government and THA’s main goal is to provide citizens with the opportunity and wherewithal to accomplish what their, and local knowledge tells them is best for themselves and Tobago.
Davidson-Celestine added: “Even though ours is a small island, no government official or bureaucrat can know better than people on the ground what is needed for the individual or the particular community. That is why it is so important for politicians and policymakers to listen to the needs and ideas of the citizens."
[caption id="attachment_865503" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PNM supporters in a jubilant mood during a walkabout PNM Plymouth/Golden Lane candidate Melissa James-Guy in Plymouth on December 10, 2020. FILE PHOTO/DAVID REID -[/caption]
Regarding specific policies to operationalise this premise, she said the longstanding issue of autonomy will be on the front-burner.
The bill, which requires a special majority in the House of Representatives for passage, is currently before a joint select committee. It is expected to be debated during this parliamentary term.
Davidson-Celestine said emphasis will also be placed on digital transformation, attracting direct foreign investment, land and housing, agriculture and agro-processing and the creative sector.
She said: “Our emphasis will be on growing industry and sectors. It is going beyond what we know and are comfortable with as Tobagonians.”
Saying the PNM’s approach to Tobago’s growth will be much broader, Davidson-Celestine said: “We need to contribute more to the GDP (gross domestic product), earn for Tobago, and attract investment to create more opportunities for ourselves. This means industry and all its benefits.”
She added: “This means industry and all its benefits. We are upping the stakes to make this island more of an innovative economy and we must do it differently.”Saying the PNM has established a solid path, Davidson-Celestine said the world now demands more from Tobago.
“We can continue building Tobago together, on what has already been established. Development is a continuous journey.”
Davidson-Celestine said although she created history in becoming the Tobago Council’s first female leader, “the issue is not my gender but how I bring the issues of integrity, knowledge, competence and vision to my role.”
PNM THA nominees
Tracy Davidson-Celestine – Lambeau/Signal Hill
Ancil Dennis – Buccoo/Mt Pleasant
Shomari Hector – Bethel/Mt Irvine
Marslyn Melville-Jack – Scarborough/Calder Hall
Joel Jack – Bacolet/Mt St George
Clarence Jacob – Canaan/Bon Accord
Melissa James Guy – Plymouth/Golden Lane
Kelvon Morris – Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden
Kwesi Des Vignes – Mason Hall/Moriah/Providence
Roury Dillon – Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside
Neil Beckles – Roxborough/Delaford
Boxil Bailey – Belle Garden/Goodwood
 
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