[UPDATED] PNM: PDP's 'executive council' distraction from Duke allegations

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) established an alternative executive council in the Tobago House of Assembly as a distraction from the allegations of financial impropriety involving its political leader and Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke.

This is the view of People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine.

Last month, it was revealed the Water and Sewerage Authority paid millions of dollars to a company owned by Duke’s wife. It is also alleged that Duke had accepted over $500,000 in gratuity payments from the PSA although he had not submitted a resignation letter.

On the latter, Duke had told a reporter in October 2019 that he knew nothing about the $500,000 gratuity payment.

But in a Facebook live video on March 22, 2021, Duke said he had received the money and was entitled to it. On that occasion, Duke also claimed the money was used to fund the PDP’s launch at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands, on October 27, 2019.

In a WhatsApp voice note on Tuesday, Davidson-Celestine said she believes the “latest shenanigans of the PDP are distractions from its leader's real issues of financial impropriety at WASA and the PSA.”

She also questioned the PSA’s role in last Sunday’s trade-union motorcade in Tobago. Davidson-Celestine observed the island’s public servants did not participate.

“Watson’s motorcade is a failed attempt to obtain support. Why has he rented a Trinidadian crowd to come to Tobago?” she asked. “Where were the Tobago PSA members and even his own members of the PDP?”

Davidson-Celestine said Duke and PDP deputy leader Farley Augustine must answer questions about utsing PSA funds for his own political gains.

“Farley and Watson must come clean to the PSA membership and the wider Tobago public.”

On the six-six deadlock in the THA, Davidson-Celestine said: “Quite frankly, it is a frustrating situation for us all.

“It is even worse that the other side constantly sends mixed messages. Today Watson is talking, then tomorrow is Farley. They have not been able to handle their own situation.”

Davidson-Celestine reiterated a return to the polls is the solution to end the impasse.

“As a party, we have been very consistent in our solution to this impasse: let us head back to the polls and let the voice of the people decide.”

She said although the PNM has tried to negotiate a shared arrangement with the PDP for the interim management of the island, “They have constantly shifted the goalpost until finally, Watson walked away from negotiations and Farley announced his own political gimmick, under the guise of a PDP executive council.”

On April 9, Augustine announced the PDP had established an "alternative council" to serve the needs of Tobagonians until a solution to the deadlock is reached.

Augustine said the alternative council, which began its work on Monday, will focus largely on community-based initiatives.

He added it will rely on the skills and resources of people in communities, with support from the island’s corporate and civil-society sectors.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) established an alternative executive council in the Tobago House of Assembly as a distraction from the allegations of financial impropriety involving its political leader and Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke.

This is the view of People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine.

Last month, it was revealed the Water and Sewerage Authority paid millions of dollars to a company owned by Duke’s wife. It is also alleged that Duke had accepted over $500,000 in gratuity payments from the PSA although he had not submitted a resignation letter.

On the latter, Duke had told a reporter in October 2019 that he knew nothing about the $500,000 gratuity payment.

But in a Facebook live video on March 22, 2021, Duke said he had received the money and was entitled to it. On that occasion, Duke also claimed the money was used to fund the PDP’s launch at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands, on October 27, 2019.

In a WhatsApp voice note on Tuesday, Davidson-Celestine said she believes the “latest shenanigans of the PDP are distractions from its leader's real issues of financial impropriety at WASA and the PSA.”

She also questioned the PSA’s role in last Sunday’s trade-union motorcade in Tobago. Davidson-Celestine observed the island’s public servants did not participate.