PNM Tobago predicts 'resounding victory'

PNM Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine has predicted a "resounding victory" – particularly in the Tobago East constituency – in the upcoming general election.Davidson-Celestine was speaking to the media after the PNM completed its screening of candidates on Sunday night at Caroline building, Scarborough.

The incumbent Ayanna Webster-Roy and Shamfa Cudjoe were reselected to represent the PNM for the Tobago East and West seats, respectively. Davidson-Celestine is confident the relationships the candidates forged with Tobagonians and their track record will redound to the PNM's benefit at the polls. She said this is why the screening committee decided to select Cudjoe and Webster-Roy for a second time.

“Both candidates have been representing us very well in the Parliament. The party ensures we foster gender equality as much as possible and both of them represent that gender balance." Webster-Roy has been working very hard in her district and when we look at the fact that this government has delivered endlessly for the people of Tobago East and she is very confident her representation and her relationship that she would have built over the last five year with the people of Tobago East...

"When you look at the statistics, the last election she won by over 6,000 votes and we expect we will have that kind of resounding victory in this upcoming elections well,” Davidson-Celestine said.

Cudjoe told the media she was humbled by the opportunity to once again face the polls to represent the PNM. She promised to continue working for the development and proper management of TT if re-elected.“My concerns and priority is development, so in any area I am placed I try to develop young people to empower Tobagonians so that we recognise our potential,” Cudjoe said. The Tobago West MP said she has a special interest in seeing development in the plans for the ANR Robinson International Airport expansion project. Webster-Roy said her focus will move away from infrastructural development and instead develop people. Still, she hopes to collaborate with the Central Government and the THA to build more houses for Tobagonians in rural communities.

She said, “While we can boast of a lot of accomplishments, my intention is to work closely with the various organisations within the constituency to continue that movement of development. “We want young people to have access to training and development opportunities to achieve goals they struggle to achieve.”

Asked what was her greatest accomplishment over the years Webster-Roy said, “As a representative, seeing the transformation for Tobago East in terms of physical infrastructure. As a minister, the fact I was able to bring the Children’s Authority office established in Tobago, which I'm proud of.

“This is a benefit that wouldn’t not only serve this generation but the future generation of children in Tobago. With the presence of Children’s Authority on the island our children have a better chance of being safe from abuse. We can’t deny the fact that it is a present and prevalent issue in our communities...I’m extremely proud.”

Cudjoe went up unopposed while Webster-Roy was challenged by Dr Kern Johnson who is a youth leader in the PNM Tobago executive membership. Davidson-Celestine said Johnson remains important to the PNM.

"There will be a special role for Dr Johnson who continues to be a member of the youth league and PNM. He would be very instrumental in the campaign going forward. We expect to see him on the platform as a youth speaker," she said. The PNM Tobago leader said the party’s focus during covid19 restrictions is getting its house in order by “making sure the campaign team is ready, start crafting our messages, mobilising our people and our base. As soon as the restriction on covid19 is lifted we will start walkabouts in various communities.”