Young: PNM manifesto to be released in 24 hours

Prime Minister Stuart Young on April 14 said the PNM’s manifesto will be launched within 24 hours. He said it had been approved by the party’s general council.

Young made the announcement on a political meeting at Phase 2, La Horquetta on April 14.

The PM also promised that citizens will be able to access services in a quicker, more efficient manner, as he has put the Digital Transformation Minister on notice that technology was to be implemented.

“We will make sure that when you apply for your grant, your food card, you are treated with dignity, treated properly.

"In government offices we will use the technology available. No more ‘Ah lose your file,’ it will go straight into the computer.

"Six months before you are to retire, it will be in the computer and within three months your pension is in your account, that is caring.”

Young said public servants were not being informed of what is being offered to them.

“Public servants are being misled. You are being offered one, one and three per cent. That is five per cent. It will cost $3.4 billion, and $930 million a year. That is what we can afford.”

Young made no mention of former PNM attorney general John Jeremie's endorsement of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar when he appeared on the UNC platform in Penal on April 14. He said he would vote for the UNC.

Candidate for La Horquetta/Talparo and Youth Development and National Services Minister Foster Cummings said Cabinet has approved $200 million for the construction of a secondary school in La Horquetta.

Cummings said this was one of the many initiatives which the government had put in place in the constituency.

He also reminded the audience of the purported measures the UNC had taken, through the use of Cambridge Analytica, to influence the 2010 elections. He drew attention to what he called a campaign by the UNC to use social media influencers to suppress votes.

“The yellow code is a way of trying to trying to suppress the votes in places. Don’t be fooled with UNC voter suppression tactics.

"They have asked these young people present a short video saying, 'Yellow is the code', and bad-talk the PNM as much as possible. This is what they have presented to the young people.

"If they could encourage you not to vote, they could steal the government.

"In 2025, because they feel we foolish, it's not 'Do So' but 'Yellow is the Code'.

"They expect to inject that into you for you not to come out and vote. They are trying to get into your head. Reject the yellow code, red is the word.”

Cummings said the PNM’s strategy was not to discourage young people from voting, but to empower and educate them to prepare for a life of independence. He said through his ministry, 1,400 young farmers have been trained to contribute to the nation’s food security. He said there were many other programmes which young people could access.