Charles: PNM for all Tobago

At a public meeting in Glen Road, Scarborough, on Friday night, Charles told a gathering of mostly redclad supporters that he was forced to defend the party’s stewardship during an interview on Radio Tambrin. He said the programme’s host had asked him if there was bias on the part of the PNM with respect to employment opportunities for Tobagonians.

Charles, a former THA presiding officer, said he pointed out that the Assembly comprised 60 to 70 per cent of the island’s labour force and it was not conceivable that all of these workers would be PNM supporters.

“So, we have been doing what we do with fairness,” he said, noting that Tobago had a population of just 65,000.

Charles, who is contesting the Black Rock/ Whim/Spring Garden electoral district, said Tobago was too small to “develop along party lines.” “I am willing to engage talent where talent exists,” he said.

However, Charles warned that those who seek to undermine the PNM will be called to account.

“Do not undermine my organization.

When we do that, there will be conflict,” he said.

“In the interest of Tobago, we cannot build a peaceful island that way. You cannot gamble or risk your future.” As head of the PNM’s team hoping to retain full control of the Assembly after the THA election next week, Charles said as Chief Secretary he would like his legacy to be one that placed the island on a growth path in a range of areas, including the economic revitalisation, tourism, agriculture, health and light manufacturing, all of which will be supported by a “robust” education system.

Public sector reform, he stressed, was a must.

“Persons must be paid on time,” Charles said, alluding to the inefficiencies in the system. “No secretary (THA) prepares a pay sheet. Why is it that we behave in way where people are not paid on time?” In the same breath, he said people must be willing to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. “If we have to progress, we have to fix this to the way it should be. That is part of the vision to take Tobago to the next level,” Charles said.

Charles said the promotion of an entrepreneurial and creative culture in Tobago also was a priority.

“You know the saying that the Devil finds work for idle hands.

Well, for those who want money, we are prepared to ensure that every citizen earns a decent income and since the State can’t employ everybody, we have a responsibility to facilitate that development,” he said. “You just have to come with clean hands and a pure heart.” Charles urged supporters to take the message of the PNM throughout the island.

“We are about preserving the gains we have made over the past 16 years,” he said.