PNM promises a sham

THE GOODIES the PNM is promising to deliver to the people of Central Trinidad after the July 14 Local Government Elections are “nothing but a sham,” according to Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar. Speaking to the media after he filed his Nomination Papers at the Office of the Returning Officer William Mark yesterday morning, Nagessar predicted that the “PNM will get the biggest shock of their lives as even the seat that they now hold (Enterprise South) will disappear from under their feet.” He criticised the promise Senator Satish Ramroop was making to the electorate. “Everything that he has spoken about — promenade, the improvement of Saith Park, the Cremation Site at Felicity, the elevated round about at Endeavour Fly Over - have all been implemented by the UNC and it is misleading to say that the PNM will accomplish those facilities,” Nagessar said. The Mayor said that the garbage dump at Felicity had ceased to exist under the present Borough Administration and he was surprised the PNM wants to re-open it “bearing in mind the environmental factors associated with garbge disposal.” “It is nothing but a retrograde step,” Nagessar said. He added that the fact that the PNM “is eager to make Chaguanas the next city in the country is a laughing matter as the Borough had been pushing that head over the last year because of the phenomenal growth of Chaguanas.”

Recently, the PNM formally opened  a Central Regional Office aimed at beefing up operations in the sugar belt so they could capture both the ChaguanasBorough and the Co-uva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Co-rporation. The presence of  Etienne Mendez as one of the PNM candidates in Chaguanas is an indication that the party is serious about capturing a few seats. He is up against the UNC’s Gopaul Boodhan, the Deputy Mayor. The PNM is reported to have made some inroads into Chaguanas and according to Senator  Ramroop, “UNC supporters are coming to the PNM in droves.” “We are a caring Government providing goods and services for the lower and middle income group to improve the quality of their lives.” he said. He said: “California/Point Lisas Electoral District is ours already as Rhonda Bartholomew-John is reported to be way ahead of the UNC’s candidate Chaitram Rampersad.” John’s main strategy “is to get more local people employed at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and to seek the establishment of trade centres to ensure that young people become more  skilled for the job market.” “I am full of confidence for the elections as every house I visit I have been getting positive vibes,” she said.