Parties push for power

And, in a strenuous effort to woo their faithful and convince the undecideds, both the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the United National Congress (UNC), held rallies yesterday at the Eddie Hart Savannah, Tacarigua and Couva, respectively, in a final push for power The PNM, which controlled eight of the 14 Local Government bodies after the last polls, is hoping to maintain its status or increase the number of corporations it currently has.

The party held the Port-of-Spain City Corporation; Point Fortin Borough Corporation; San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation; Arima Borough Council; Diego Martin Regional Corporation; San Fernando Borough Council; Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation and Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

The UNC (People’s Partnership) held on to its traditional corporations in Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo; Rio Claro/Mayaro; Princes Town; Penal/Debe; and Siparia.

PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said yesterday the party was confident in retaining its eight Local Government bodies.

“Based on our campaign and based on our feedback on the ground, we are very confident that we would retain the eight corporations that we have. And we are working hard in the others to see if we can get them. If we do not get control, we are hoping to at least make inroads,” he told Sunday Newsday.

Ford said the PNM was eyeing the the Siparia Regional Corporation, where it currently holds three of the eight electoral districts.

“We are hoping to also make inroads in Mayaro (regional corporation), Princes Town and Chaguanas..

We are also hoping to do well enough in Couva/Tabaquite to retain the one seat that we have and get one or more in the Penal/.Debe Corporation. But we are confident of retaining the eight they ave now,” he said. Ford said the party had followed its campaign strategy as outlined by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and campaign manager, Energy Minister Franklin Khan.

He said: “Franklin Khan was the man who led the charge for Local Government reform and Dr Rowley also dealt with national issue relating to the economy, crime, health education. So, I think the message went through to the people despite the insecurities we face.” UNC chairman David Lee said he was optimistic the party will retain its six corporations. He said the party also stood a good chance of wresting the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation from the PNM.

“I also feel good about the Sangre Grande Corporation in making some inroads into that corporation and also along the East-West Corridor,” he said The Pointe-a-Pierre MP said the UNC had done its homework.

“The candidates have been out there working the ground and we will be working the ground up until Sunday night (tonight),” he said.

Saying the party’s hard work will pay off, Lee said the UNC still was not leaving anything to chance even though its election machinery was in place.

He said on election day, the party was paying close attention to the polling divisions in the Siparia, Sangre Grande and Chaguanas regional bodies.