Gypsy is PNM’s Moruga candidate

FORMER culture minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters is the PNM’s candidate for the constituency of Moruga/Tableland, party PRO Laurel Lezama told Newsday on Tuesday evening. The PNM screening committee, led by the Prime Minister, also chose Rebecca Dipnarine, 23, to contest the Siparia seat now held by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Peters, screened last Friday, told Newsday he was very happy to be the candidate.

“I’ll keep on working. I’m already on the ground.

“Moruga is home to me. I represented that constituency when it formed part of the constituency of Ortoire/Mayaro.”

He said he hoped to continue the good work the Government has been doing.

“I promise the people good representation, as that is all I know.”

On Tuesday the PNM screened for several areas. The event saw a rush of at least five nominees for Lopinot/Bon Air West now held by Planning Minister Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn who was reportedly not seeking re-election. The nominees were Rudolph Boneo (constituency chairman), Alicia Hospedales (former minister/MP), Averline Scott (qualified in business management), Tova Ann Sandy and Carver Richardson (constituency secretary).

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, was screened for her St Ann’s East seat, along with two rival nominees, Dominic Smith and Jason Bobb.

For the Princes Town seat (held by the UNC’s Barry Padarath) the PNM nominees were Anastacia Hackett, Martina Loubon Le Gendre and Sharon Baboolal.

Nominees for other seats who Newsday saw at Queens Hall for screening were D’Abadie/O’Meara MP retired brigadier general Ancil Antoine for that same seat, Boysie Katwaroo Ramsumair for Oropouche East, Sankar Bunny Mahabirsingh for Mayaro. Reports were that earlier at Balisier House those screened included former public utilities minister Robert Le Hunte for La Brea and PNM general secretary Foster Cummings for La Horquetta/Talparo. Screening was also scheduled for Oropouche West.