Callender to BYisrael: 'APT James fought for proper seabridge'

PNM Tobago Council chairman Stanford Callender has criticised Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Dr Faith BYisrael for saying the Government’s acquisition of the APT James is intended to fool Tobagonians.

The APT James, the first of two inter-island fast ferries bought by the Government, arrived in TT last week Friday. The vessel, built by Austal, is named after Tobago’s representative on the Legislative Council (1946-1961).

BYisrael made the statement in an address on Sunday night at the PDP’s drive-in meeting at Gardenside, Scarborough.

But speaking at a PNM meeting on Monday night at the Buccoo Multipurpose Facility, Callender took the PDP deputy leader to task for her statement.

He said APT James played a pivotal role in advocating for efficient sea transport between the two islands.

“I want to tell Dr Faith something. Let her go to talk to her grandparents, not her parents, because they might not even know.

“APT James was not party-connected. APT James was a Tobagonian who struggled for the development of Tobago, and the sea transport was one of the things he fought for – better transportation between Trinidad and Tobago.”