PNM stands with Young

SENATOR Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing on Thursday asked residents of Port of Spain/St Ann’s West to “let their voices be heard” in support of their MP Stuart Young who will face a motion of no confidence in Parliament next Friday.

The motion is expected to be debated during the Private Member’s Day. Lezama-Lee Sing made the clarion call at the Belmont Secondary School during a mobile device distribution ceremony. Young was supposed to have been at the 3 pm event but could not make it owing to an Cabinet meeting.

Lezama-Lee Sing, the PNM PRO, said based on their own research, Young was one of the most admirable, likeable and hard-working members of Parliament that this country has ever seen. She added that while his portfolio was tremendous, he still managed to have walkabouts in his constituency.

Speaking to supporters, she said, “I wish to encourage you to continue to lend your support to Minister Young. As a politician, I say you must lift your voices in denouncing the Opposition for its role in trying to diminish the role that Minister Young has played. He is your member of Parliament and I encourage you to support him.”

She added that the PNM has taken note of the filing of no confidence in Young and rejected it as the party stood in solidarity with the constituency. She said Young’s legacy would be preserved during the debate.

She said the Opposition UNC was leaderless and desperate for relevance.

“While we are battling the pandemic at this time we are also battling the pandemic of the Opposition. They are unwilling to do things to help this country move forward. We are battling with an opposition that will not support legislation that will help you.”

Following the distribution ceremony, in which 14 devices, some refurbished, were donated, a parent found the timing of Lezama-Lee Sing comments “out-of-place.”

Asked about this, Lezama-Lee Sing said: “We are speaking about the MP for this constituency and as public relations officer of the PNM it is imperative that I let the country know that the PNM stands with the MP.”

She then posed a question to the Opposition: “To what end does this motion serve? What is the purpose of this motion?”

The device distribution was spearheaded by Sule Joseph, chairman of Youth Mobilisation Foundation.

Joseph said the idea came out of a need to assist children who were lacking devices. The foundation began last year asking for old laptops that could be refurbished then donations of cash and, for those who could not afford it, new devices.

Joseph encouraged the children to use the devices to educate themselves and not play games and post pictures on social media.

He added that the organisation believed in reciprocity and hopes that the beneficiaries of the devices can and will, one day, assist future children in their educational pursuits.